Matthew Sedutto working on the Scouting Exhibit at the Wright Museum

Matthew Sedutto, an Eagle Scout who has volunteered for five years at the Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum and Max I. Silber Scouting Library, has spent the summer as an intern at the Wright Museum of World War II. His connections to both museums helped forge a partnership that brought the new exhibit to life.

The internship was designed around Sedutto’s interests. After learning about his longtime volunteer work at the Scouting Museum, Wright Museum staff encouraged him to create a project that combined his passions for scouting and history.

What began as plans to refresh a single display case quickly expanded into a permanent exhibit featuring multiple display cases, a mannequin in uniform, and artifacts documenting scouting’s wartime service.

“When I talked to them, I mentioned I worked at the Scouting Museum and how passionate I am about scouting,” Sedutto said. “We concluded the best idea was updating their scouting case. We replaced one case and then the collection of items and stories kept growing. It doubled into a whole exhibit.”

Nearly 90 percent of the artifacts came from the Scouting Museum or the personal collection of Executive Director Dick Zeloski. The exhibit also features a hand-routed wooden sign crafted from a former Scouting Museum sign, creating a subtle tribute to the museum whose volunteers helped make the project possible.

“It was really a collaboration,” Sedutto said. “I’d work at the Wright Museum, then go to the Scouting Museum and ask what they thought we should add. They came up with ideas and gathered items for the cases.”

The exhibit explores a chapter of World War II history that Sedutto believes deserves greater attention. “This whole story of scouting during the war is kind of a blank spot in the historical conversation,” he said.

Visitors will discover how scouts sold war bonds, collected scrap metal, and helped grow Victory Gardens. The exhibit also highlights New Hampshire’s little-known civilian messenger test, during which scouts carried messages by hand between Concord and Laconia.

According to Scouting Museum Executive Director Dick Zeloski, the exhibit reflects Sedutto’s dedication to preserving history while showcasing the value of museum partnerships. “When it comes to history, especially WWII, Matt is all in and works both knowledgeably and tirelessly,” he said.

Peggy Hennelly-Maniates, Executive Director of the Wright Museum, said the project demonstrates their commitment to mentoring future museum professionals.

“Helping to educate, mentor, and inspire the next generation of museum professionals is an important part of our mission,” she said. “We are proud to provide opportunities for talented young people like Matt to develop their skills while sharing their knowledge with our visitors.”

The public is invited to celebrate the exhibit on Friday, August 7, at 2:00 p.m., when Sedutto will present a lecture on scouting during World War II. He will share the stories behind the artifacts and discuss his research into scouting’s wartime contributions.

Part of the lecture will examine the experiences of Japanese American scouts who continued participating in scouting while confined in wartime relocation camps. “Things like the messenger test and aspects of local history would be lost to time if not for the Scouting Museum,” Sedutto said. “The artifacts matter, but so do the stories.”

“I’m excited that scouts of all ages will be there,” he added. “One thing that inspired me as a scout was realizing I was part of something bigger than myself. I hope this exhibit does the same for the next generation.”

The exhibit will remain a permanent addition to the Wright Museum, continuing the partnership between the two New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail members.

In addition to the Wright Museum of World War II and the Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum, the NH Heritage Museum Trail features nearly two-dozen members in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Guests at the American Independence Center‘s annual American Independence Festival

Museums have never been more relevant than they are today, and the NH Heritage Museum Trail is pointing to its own network of nearly two dozen member museums as living proof.

“New research from both Europe and the United States, including the American Alliance of Museums, confirms that museums are genuinely good for our health—giving visitors a place to slow down, learn, and reconnect,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the NH Heritage Museum Trail. “Here in New Hampshire, our members are proving that every day.”

The Trail’s influence is growing, too, with the recent additions of Enfield Shaker Museum, The Rocks, and John Hay Estate at the Fells. “We’re seeing record visitor engagement across the network,” added Barraclough.

From the Wright Museum of WWII (Wolfeboro) and Millyard Museum (Manchester) to Castle in the Clouds (Moultonborough) and Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm (Tamworth), Trail members offer an unmatched breadth of the New Hampshire story.

“Every museum on The Trail tells a different piece of who we are,” Barraclough said. “The Remick captures rural life in a way no textbook can. The Aviation Museum inspires the next generation of engineers. The Woodman Museum in Dover, with its powerful new 9/11 exhibit, shows how museums help communities remember together.”

The Trail’s impact reaches well beyond its walls and galleries. “Supporting museums is supporting New Hampshire itself—our small towns, our local economies, and the stories that make this state what it is,” said Barraclough.

The NH Heritage Museum Trail features nearly two-dozen members in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Part of the “Our Community, Our Memories: Dover Remembers the Tragedy of September 11th” Exhibit

The Woodman Museum has opened “Our Community, Our Memories: Dover Remembers the Tragedy of September 11th,” a new exhibit honoring the local response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The exhibit highlights the work of Major John Fischer, USMC (ret.) of Dover, who served as a responder at Ground Zero following the attacks. Alongside images and gear Major Fischer collected during his service, the exhibit centers on two artifacts—a piece of steelwork from World Trade Center #1 and a stone capstone from the Pentagon.

“These are more than artifacts—they’re pieces of a day that changed our nation, brought here by one of our own,” said Mike Day, Operations Director & Curator. “This exhibit gives Dover a place to remember together, and to honor the service and sacrifice of those who answered the call.”

In partnership with the City of Dover, the Museum recently invited residents into the gallery to record oral histories, sharing where they were and what September 11 means to them. Those filmed histories, along with the two artifacts, will be displayed at Dover’s new 9/11 Memorial downtown on Friday, September 11. The exhibit is underwritten by Loyal Lab Electric & Generators.

The Woodman Museum is one of nearly two dozen destinations on the NH Heritage Museum Trail. “Museums like the Woodman remind us that history isn’t that distant—it lives in our own communities and the people around us,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “By preserving these memories, our members are telling the story of New Hampshire and inviting everyone to be part of it.”

The NH Heritage Museum Trail features nearly two-dozen members in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Aerial View of Canterbury Shaker Village. Photo credit: Peter Bloch – EarthAerial Productions

“Canterbury is a portal into an intriguing, historic world—one where nearly 300 Shakers lived and worked together as a community for 200 years,” said Manager of Communications and Engagement Garrett Bethmann. “Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or returning after time away, we want people to rediscover why this place moves them and connect with who we are today.”

In 2026, an updated tour model introduces guests to the Canterbury Shakers and invites them to follow their curiosity through the property’s open spaces and buildings. The land comes alive this season through a new Bee House exhibition on the Shakers’ agricultural history and a pilot partnership with Sanborn Mills Farm that grows produce and brings traditional farming techniques to the gardens and greenhouses. A new monthly recreation group, the Movers and Shakers Trail Club, meets on the trails the last Saturday of every month.

“With the Meeting House and East House both undergoing restoration at once, this is a rare chance to see preservation happening in real time,” Bethmann added. “It shows the craft and dedication it takes to keep these buildings—one from 1792, one from 1810—alive for the next generation.”

“Canterbury Shaker Village is a treasure, and it’s one of many across the NH Heritage Museum Trail,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “Each of our members opens a door to a different part of this state’s story. When you rediscover a place like Canterbury, you’re really rediscovering the heritage of New Hampshire itself.”

The NH Heritage Museum Trail features nearly two-dozen members in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Trolley at the Lucknow Mansion

To mark the occasion, the Castle in the Clouds has unveiled a new exhibition exploring the estate’s history after Thomas and Olive Plant, inviting visitors to discover the lesser-known chapters of Lucknow’s story. The mansion itself remains the centerpiece of the visitor experience, with daily tours and a newly repaved historic driveway that sets the stage from the moment guests arrive.

Beyond the mansion, the property comes alive each June with more than 200 public programs scheduled across the 2026 season. Families can follow the newly installed Story Walk, which officially debuts June 13 with a grand opening celebration at the Picnic Pavilion in partnership with Altrusa. Mondays feature story time and crafts led by the Moultonborough Public Library.

“Our 20th anniversary is a moment to celebrate not just what we’ve preserved, but what we’ve built—a place where history, nature, and community come together,” added Clark. It’s also part of something bigger. As members across the NH Heritage Museum Trail are telling the story of New Hampshire in ways that invite everyone to be part of it.”

The NH Heritage Museum Trail features nearly two dozen members in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Liberty Pole on Marcy St. in Porsmouth. Photo courtesy David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto

As New Hampshire prepares for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many members on the NH Heritage Museum Trail are participating in the nationwide “US@250: Big Watch” initiative. Strawbery Banke Museum is one member, as it will celebrate Flag Day on Sunday, June 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Presented in collaboration with the Association of Historical Societies of NH and fellow Trail member Portsmouth Historical Society, the event begins with a Flag Day ceremony at the historic Liberty Pole on Marcy Street. Following the ceremony, families are invited to enjoy refreshments and children’s craft activities before moving to the Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitor Center for a special film screening.

The “Big Watch” features an exclusive excerpt from the documentary THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Ken Burns and Florentine Films. The screening will focus on “The Spirit of Service,” followed by a panel discussion exploring civic participation, democracy, and how New Hampshire’s history shapes the nation’s future.

“This event is about more than just looking back,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the NH Heritage Museum Trail. “It’s an invitation for our community to come together and discuss what service and democracy mean to us today as we approach our nation’s 250th birthday.”

This event is made possible by New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with NHPBS, with additional support provided by Cogswell Benevolent Trust. Click here to learn more.

The Seacoast is one of five regions represented on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, alongside the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

The Cousins Apartment exhibition at Strawbery Banke Museum

In Exeter, the Ladd-Gilman House has reopened this season under a new name, the American Independence Center. While guided tours of the colonial and revolutionary-era home remain central to the visitor experience, new exhibits now trace the full arc of American democracy — from 1775 through the present — exploring how each generation has grappled with the meaning of independence.

The Center will also host the inaugural Pursuit of Happiness 5K this July, held on the morning of its annual American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 11. To learn more, visit aicnh.org.

In Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke Museum opened its 2026 season with the debut of the Cousins Apartment, a new permanent exhibit within the newly renamed Penhallow-Cousins House. Developed in partnership with the Seacoast African American Cultural Center and the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, the installation interprets the lived experience of a Black family in Portsmouth’s Puddle Dock neighborhood during the Great Migration. To learn more, visit strawberybanke.org.

“Our Seacoast members are showing what it looks like to tell the American story with both honesty and ambition,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “Whether it’s reinventing a beloved institution or opening doors to stories that haven’t been told before, these museums are making the 250th anniversary feel genuinely alive.”

The Seacoast is one of five regions represented on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, alongside the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Portsmouth Historical Society visitors examine the map charting the Hills’ journey south through New Hampshire, marking off stops and sightings along the route

History is not always what visitors expect—and this season, Seacoast members of the NH Heritage Museum Trail are leaning into the stories that surprise, unsettle, and stick with you long after the tour ends.

At the Portsmouth Historical Society, the exhibition Betty & Barney brings one of the Seacoast’s most famous—and most debated—stories back to the public eye. On view through November 2, the exhibition explores the lives of Betty and Barney Hill, the pioneering interracial Portsmouth couple whose 1961 report of a UFO encounter in the White Mountains became a cultural phenomenon. Free curator tours are scheduled for Fridays, July 3 and September 4. To learn more, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

Down the road at Albacore Park in Portsmouth, visitors can tour the USS Albacore, the groundbreaking research submarine whose hull design shaped modern submarine engineering. The Park is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and recently served as the backdrop for the Silver Dolphin pinning ceremony of three U.S. Navy submariners in April. Visit ussalbacore.org to learn more.

In Dover, the Woodman Museum offers something a little different this fall with Spooky Night at the Woodman Museum, the first-ever paranormal investigation of its kind on the museum’s grounds. Guests will explore three historic buildings, including the 1675 Garrison House, alongside the Paranormal Five team, with proceeds benefiting the museum. To learn more, visit woodmanmuseum.org.

“People sometimes think of history museums as quiet places, but our Seacoast members are proving otherwise,” remarked Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “From Cold War submarines to alien encounters and a ghost hunt in a 17th-century garrison, there’s something happening this season for just about every kind of curiosity.”

The Seacoast is one of five regions represented on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, alongside the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Beaded vest in ‘Quills & Beads: Adornment that Adapts’ exhibit

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum has opened for the 2026 season with expanded accessibility improvements and a full slate of programs highlighting Native American history, art, and culture.

Headlining the season is a new exhibit, Quills & Beads: Adornment that Adapts, curated by Sterling Gross. Tracing the evolution of Native American adornment—from traditional porcupine quillwork to the intricate beadwork that emerged following the introduction of European glass beads—the exhibit features rare pieces on public display for the first time.

“Our new exhibit invites visitors to look closely at the artistry, but also at the adaptation and resilience these pieces represent,” said Executive Director Andrew Bullock. “Quillwork and beadwork are living traditions, and we’re honored to share this collection with our community and with visitors traveling the Museum Trail this season.”

In addition to the new exhibit, the museum has completed several accessibility upgrades ahead of opening day. The Medicine Woods Trail—an outdoor walking path featuring plants traditionally used by Native peoples for food, medicine, and craft—is now fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Renovations to on-site restrooms and pathways have also been completed to better serve visitors of all abilities.

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (guided tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.), and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (guided tours at 1:30 p.m.) Click here for more information about the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum, its exhibits, and upcoming events.

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is one of nearly two dozen museums on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which features members in the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.