NH Heritage Museum Trail Prioritizes Collaborative Learning as Key Member Objective

From left to right: Jeff Barraclough, Millyard Museum; Charles Clark, Castle in the Clouds; Jonathan Nichols, Woodman Museum; Jenn Walton, NH Historical Society; Jeff Rapsis, Aviation Museum

Learning from – and with – one another is a key objective for members on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.

“The Trail creates opportunities year-round for our members to learn from each other and share best practices that ultimately help us all better serve our communities,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of The Trail.

This collaborative approach was demonstrated at the recent New England Museum Association (NEMA) Conference with the theme, “Wellness Check: A Holistic View of Museums in the First Quarter Century.” The annual conference took place in Manchester, the first time in many years that it was held in New Hampshire. Hundreds of museum professionals from across New England attended where members highlighted their work and gained insights from colleagues in the museum field.

“The Trail ran a session, along with Manchester Museums, on forming museum partnerships,” noted Barraclough. “It was well-attended and gave us an opportunity to talk about the successes of the Trail, such as the Passport and 25 Stories project. Hopefully, it will inspire other museums in New England to form partnerships with each other.”

Multiple Trail institutions participated as hosts, including the Millyard Museum, Aviation Museum, and Castle in the Clouds.

For Jenn Walton of the New Hampshire Historical Society, the conference reinforced how museums can strengthen their community connections. “I learned about all sorts of partnerships—with schools, other museums, community non-profits, social service providers,” she said. “Strong partnerships enable museums to build bridges, increase community engagement, and provide a source of meaningful connection, inspiration, and empathy.”

According to Barraclough, “strong partnerships” exist at the heart of The Trail. “We have a responsibility to not just care for artifacts but tell New Hampshire-based stories that educate and inspire residents and visitors alike,” he said.

Looking ahead to 2026, The Trail plans to expand these collaborative learning opportunities through additional joint programming and shared professional development initiatives that will further strengthen member institutions’ capacity to serve their communities.

Member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

World-Renowned Photographer Finds a Home in New Hampshire

Lotte Jacobi

World-Renowned Photographer

Finds a Home in New Hampshire

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Currier Museum of Art
Photographer and photojournalist Lotte Jacobi (August 17, 1896 – May 6, 1990) was best known for portraits of Germany’s leading theater actors, artists, writers, and political figures. She also photographed the local landscape and architecture and produced stunning documentary images of cities and people in Germany and the Soviet Union. In response to the encroaching danger of the Nazi regime, Jacobi left Germany for New York in September 1935. Within weeks she was again photographing the world’s leading artists, dancers, and writers. Among her most significant works from the 1940s and 1950s were her abstract, camera less images known as “photogenics.”

Jacobi left New York for rural New Hampshire in 1955. She had grown uneasy in the city following the death of her second husband Erich Reiss in 1951, and she was eager to pursue some of her environmental interests in the woods of New England. In Deering, Jacobi continued to develop as a fine art photographer. In 1963, she opened a gallery to exhibit the work of local and international artists. In the last decades of her life, Jacobi received numerous international, national, and state honors for her artistic achievements. Lotte Jacobi died in 1990 in Concord, New Hampshire.

Holiday Magic Awaits on NH Heritage Museum Trail

Remick Country Doctor museum & Farm decorated for the holidays

The holiday season brings special magic to the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, with member institutions across the state offering festive programming that celebrates both the season and New Hampshire’s rich heritage. In Tamworth, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm presents two events that capture the warmth and wonder of a traditional New England Christmas.

At “Trees & Trimmings” on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., visitors will experience Christmas trees decorated to complement museum exhibits, illuminated by candlelight and twinkling lights. Activities will include ornament-making workshops, displays of vintage Christmas decorations, and Victorian Christmas card making presented by the Arts Council of Tamworth.

“We’re pleased to begin this holiday tradition that connects visitors with historical Christmas celebrations,” said Cara Sutherland, Executive Director of Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm.

The Remick will also host “A New England Christmas” on December 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., featuring two performances by Portsmouth’s Pontine Theatre. Each performance presents a regional holiday story, using antique stage techniques, such as toy theatre figures and rolling panoramas. The 45-minute program is suitable for ages 14 and above, with preregistration required.

“Holiday programming at our member institutions provides families with unique experiences that also highlight New Hampshire’s cultural heritage,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.”The Remick is just one of nearly two-dozen institutions on The Trail, with many offering unique experiences this holiday season.”

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Click here to learn more about either event at Remick Museum.

NH Heritage Museum Trail Taps Community Expertise

The Penhallow House at Strawbery Banke Museum

When history needs saving, museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Trail call on the community.

“Preserving history requires partnering with those who understand both historical techniques and modern applications,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.

One example of this collaboration is taking place at Strawbery Banke Museum, where the restoration of the historic Penhallow-Cousins House became a multi-generational project. Kevin Hart, owner of Hart Plumbing and Heating, and his son Hunter, recently installed a century-old hot water system in the house—a hands-on act of preservation that bridges technology and tradition.

“Hunter and I have been working together since he started when he was 19, which was 7 years ago, but he always came with me growing up,” said Kevin Hart. “Working with my son is the best thing a father could ask for in business.”

When they were approached about the project at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, Kevin thought it would be a great opportunity to work with his son. “It’s not very often that a father and son get to work together, and I take pride in that,” he said.

The c.1910 hot water system, a copper tank with a coil inside heated by either gas or kerosene, was discovered in a local basement. “Watching Kevin and Hunter work together is a reminder that history isn’t just about objects or buildings,” noted Linnea Grim, President and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair of Strawbery Banke Museum. “It’s about people, relationships, and the stories we pass down,”

According to Barraclough, projects like these exemplify a core aspect of The Trail’s mission, which is “to preserve the skills and relationships that built New Hampshire communities. “This partnership model extends across all our member institutions, ensuring that New Hampshire’s history is preserved by the very people and families whose ancestors created it,” he said.

In addition to Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

The Lives of John and Lucy Hale

Portrait of John Hale

Abolition and Infamy:
The Lives of John and Lucy Lambert Hale

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Woodman Museum logo

One of the four houses that comprise the Woodman Museum in Dover NH is the Hale House, Home of former U.S. Senator and Abolitionist John Parker Hale. Born on March 31st, 1806 in Rochester, NH, Hale would purchase the home in 1840 from the founder of the Dover Manufacturing Company, later known as the Cocheco Mill and Printworks, John Williams. Originally a Democrat in Congress, Hale was kicked out of the Democratic Party after he voted against annexation of Texas and the spread of Slavery. Hale would return later join the Free-Soil Party, a pro-abolition party, and run as a Presidential candidate in the election of 1852. He would ultimately lose to the election to his political rival in New Hampshire, Franklin Peirce. He would return to Congress in 1855 as a member of the Republican Party where we would serve until 1865.[1] Hale’s career is defined by his efforts to end the institution of Slavery in the United States, from introducing multiple legislative actions in Congress to serving as legal counsel for abolitionists and the Enslaved [2] However, there is a dark mark on the Hale family’s legacy.

Following the assassination of President Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth would be shot dead by one of the soldiers that found him.[3] Among the contents of his pockets, the soldiers would find a picture of Senator Hale’s daughter, Lucy. Why would the picture of the daughter of one of the most ardent abolitionist Senators be found in the pocket of a pro- Confederacy assassin? As historian E. Lawrence Abel argued, it was because the two carried on a secret love affair. Whatever the circumstances of their meeting were, Lucy Hale received a love letter on Valentine’s Day 1862 from Booth.[4] Despite attempts to cover up the discovery of Lucy Hale’s picture, word still got out.[5] In 1878, a series of news articles would accuse Lucy of the scandal and assert that she had been in a love triangle between Booth and Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s oldest son.[6]

You can learn more about Senator Hale and Lucy Lambert Hale by visiting the Woodman Museum in Dover, NH. Click here to visit the museum’s webpage for hours and admission information.

 

[1] “Hale, John Parker (1806-1873).” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 2019. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=h000034 Accessed 11 DEC 2019.
[2] Sewell, Richard H. “John P. Hale and the Politics of Abolition”. 1965. Harvard University Press. Pg. 152
[3] Abel, E. Lawrence. “John Wilkes Booth and the Women Who Loved Him”. 2018. Regnery History. Washington DC. Pg. 217
[4] Abel, E. Lawrence. “John Wilkes Booth and the Women Who Loved Him”. 2018. Regnery History. Washington DC. Pg. 177
[5] Abel, E. Lawrence. Pg. 219
[6] Abel, E. Lawrence. Pg. 248

Trail’s Newest Member Honors Families Who Built State’s Skiing Legacy

George Macomber

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail’s newest member is celebrating the families who helped establish the state as a premier skiing destination. The New England Ski Museum will present its 2025 Spirit of Skiing Award to the combined McLane and Macomber families on November 22 at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods. The award honors the late Malcolm McLane and George Macomber, ski racing friends and patriarchs who teamed with fellow racers Mack Beal and Brooks Dodge to create Wildcat Ski Area in Pinkham Notch, which opened in 1957 with North America’s first gondola-type ski lift. Today, Wildcat still offers one of New England’s highest elevations, greatest vertical drops, and deepest snowpacks. “This award perfectly exemplifies why the New England Ski Museum is such a valuable addition to our Trail,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “The McLane and Macomber families didn’t just build a ski area—they helped create the foundation of New Hampshire’s winter tourism industry and mountain culture. Their story demonstrates how individual vision and family dedication can shape an entire region’s identity and economic future.” The Ski Museum joined the NH Heritage Museum Trail in June 2025, bringing its comprehensive collection of ski history and 10th Mountain Division artifacts. With locations in Franconia and North Conway, the museum hosts more than 25,000 visitors annually with free admission, preserving one of the largest ski-related archives outside of Europe.
McLane at Dartmouth

McLane at Dartmouth

The McLane and Macomber families’ influence extended far beyond Wildcat, supporting ski racing across the region through leadership with the US Eastern Amateur Ski Association and the US Ski Team Foundation. Their children and grandchildren continue this rich tradition and will also be honored in November.

The Spirit of Skiing Award, inspired by legendary ski instructor Otto Schniebs, who said, “Skiing is not just a sport, it’s a way of life,” has been presented since 2006 to individuals who embody the true spirit of skiing. Past honorees include Waterville Valley founder Tom Corcoran, Norwegian Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen, and Olympic silver medalist Penny Pitou of Gilford.

“The Ski Museum’s membership strengthens our mission to connect the public with New Hampshire’s diverse heritage,” added Barraclough. “From the mountains to the seacoast, Trail members preserve the stories that define our state’s character and demonstrate how New Hampshire’s innovations and traditions have influenced the broader American experience.”

The November 22 event includes a reception with hors d’oeuvres followed by a buffet dinner in the Hotel’s grand ballroom. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased at skimuseum.org/sosa or by calling (603) 823-7177.

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Offers Spooky Season Adventures Across the State

Ghosts on the Banke

From haunted historic neighborhoods to enchanted woodland walks, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail offers families multiple opportunities to celebrate Halloween safely across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

“October is one of our most exciting months on the Trail,” said Jeff Barraclough, Trail President. “Our member museums have created unique Halloween experiences that combine history, education, and family fun in ways that showcase New Hampshire’s rich heritage.”

At Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, families can experience Ghosts on the Banke during two weekends: October 17–18 and 24–25. The event transforms the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood into a Halloween wonderland with hundreds of carved pumpkins, candle boxes, and string lights guiding visitors through safe trick-or-treating along candlelit lanes.

Castle in the Clouds

In the Lakes Region, Castle in the Clouds partners with the Moultonborough Recreation Department and Lakes Region Conservation Trust for their annual Pumpkin Walk on Friday, October 17. The family-friendly event features a Halloween-themed stroll through illuminated woods near Shannon Pond, complete with jack-o’-lanterns and not-so-scary surprises along the way.

Additional Trail museums are hosting special October programming—from historical ghost tours to harvest celebrations that provide families with educational and entertaining alternatives to traditional Halloween activities.

Portsmouth Historical Society: Cemetery Tours
Woodman Museum: Night at the Museum
Aviation Museum: Haunted Halloween Hangar 

“These events demonstrate how our museums bring history to life while creating safe, memorable experiences for families,” added Barraclough. “Whether you’re exploring a 350-year-old neighborhood or walking through enchanted woods, the Trail offers something special for everyone this Halloween season.”

The Trail’s Passport Program provides access to all member museums for just $25—a $150 value. Passports are available at participating museums and include brief summaries organized by location and category.

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountains, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

The Mount – Icon of Lake Winnipesaukee

The Mount Washington

The Mount – Icon of Lake Winnipesaukee

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Lake Winni Museum Logo

For over 150 years, the Mount Washington has been cruising the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, embodying the linked histories of lake transportation and tourism in the Lakes Region. Built by the Boston & Maine Railroad company, the SS Mt. Washington was launched in July 1872 to transport passengers and goods to key ports around the lake, as seen in early maps such as Calvert’s Map of the Lakes Region (1893). Tourism soon boomed at the Weirs transportation hub.

The Mount dominated lake transportation by the end of the 19th century, carrying more than 60,000 passengers annually. However, with the advent of automobile transportation and gradual decline of the railroad, the ship was sold in 1922 to Captain Leander Lavallee, who promoted area tourism with destinations around Lake Winnipesaukee. The original Mount burned at the Weirs landing in December 1939, where the fire also destroyed the wharf and railroad station.

Captain Lavallee then acquired the SS Chateaugay on Lake Champlain, and had that steamship cut into 20 sections and transported by train to Lakeport for reassembly. The new SS Mt. Washington II was launched in August 1940. The Mount has since undergone many changes, including lengthening and renaming as the MS Mount Washington. From a steam-powered sidewheeler to the 230-foot motorship today, the celebrated Mount endures as an icon of life on Lake Winnipesaukee.

New Hampshire Historical Society Opens “A Legacy of Landscapes” Exhibition

“A Legacy of Landscapes” exhibit at the New Hampshire Historical Society

The New Hampshire Historical Society, a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, has opened “A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection.”

Featuring 61 paintings by 41 different artists, the exhibition showcases selections from what is considered the world’s preeminent private collection of White Mountain landscape art. Assembled over several decades by Linda and P. Andrews McLane of Hebron, most of the works have not been on public view for many years.

“White Mountain landscape art is at the very core of New Hampshire’s identity,” said Jenn Walton, Assistant Director of Education and Public Programs at the New Hampshire Historical Society. “These artists were part of a broader cultural movement working to create a uniquely American identity, using our mountains as symbols of the nation’s limitless natural beauty and resources.”

The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Thomas Cole, Benjamin Champney, and Frank Henry Shapleigh. Highlights include Cole’s 1827 “Mount Chocorua, New Hampshire,” one of the earliest White Mountain landscapes ever painted by the artist known as the father of American landscape art.

The paintings range from sweeping views of the Presidential Range to intimate scenes of picnickers and farms, showcasing “every nook and cranny in the White Mountains, from Dixville Notch to Lancaster,” according to Walton.

Capturing moments when the White Mountain region seemed virtually untouched, the exhibition also documents the interplay between art and tourism development. “The artists are memorializing this pristine natural beauty, and those scenes lured visitors from cities to experience it firsthand,” she said.

The more visitors that came, though, the more the landscape changed, as “huge grand resort hotels, carriage roads and railroads, and hiking trails” were built to accommodate tourists. “In time, those scenic vistas that the artists and tourists alike held so dear were threatened,” explained Walton. “That dynamic is really fascinating.”
A New Hampshire native and Dartmouth College graduate, P. Andrews McLane has deep family ties to the state. His great-grandfather, John McLane, served as New Hampshire governor in 1904, where he helped secure funding for highway links to encourage White Mountain tourism.

According to Walton, the collection consists of more than 300 paintings by almost 100 different artists, with the first few exhibitions to serve as a sampling, highlighting its depth and breadth. “The collection, combined with the Society’s already existing holdings, offers all sorts of possibilities for future exhibitions, whether organized by region, artist, or theme,” she said.

Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, said the exhibition demonstrates “the world-class collections that make New Hampshire’s cultural institutions so valuable.”

“The works in the McLane Collection not only capture New Hampshire’s natural beauty but also helped establish our mountains as symbols of American identity,” he added.. “It’s exactly the kind of unique heritage experience that Trail members offer throughout the state.”

“A Legacy of Landscapes” runs through December 31, 2025, at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park Street, Concord. Click here to learn more.

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountain Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. Member museums showcase diverse heritage from art and history to science and industry, offering unique stories and unforgettable experiences for all ages.

Revolutionary War Veteran’s Journey Highlights New Hampshire’s Role in American Story

A Rendering of Peter Ayers’ House

Peter Ayers fought at Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown before finding his calling at Canterbury Shaker Village, where he served for 65 years until his death at age 97. His remarkable journey from Revolutionary War battlefield to religious community exemplifies how individual stories shaped both New Hampshire’s heritage and America’s broader narrative.

Ayers’ story is the latest installment in the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail’s “25 Stories for 250 Years” initiative. Each month leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, The Trail shares stories about unique people, places, and events that demonstrate how New Hampshire’s story is America’s story.

Born in Connecticut in 1760, Ayers was already a battle-tested veteran at age 20 when he first encountered Shaker leader Ann Lee in 1780. Though intrigued by the Shakers’ vision, he returned to military service for the decisive Battle of Yorktown. After three more visits with Shaker leadership, Ayers converted and became a missionary for the Society.

In 1792, he accompanied Elder Job Bishop to formally establish Canterbury Shaker Village. Former New Hampshire Governor Isaac Hill described the 80-year-old Ayers in 1840 as “a most extraordinary man” with remarkable energy, noting “there was no scripture he could not quote in defense of his belief.”

“Peter Ayers’ story demonstrates the diverse paths that shaped early American communities,” said Erin Hammerstedt, Executive Director of Canterbury Shaker Village. “From defending our nation’s independence to helping establish one of New Hampshire’s most significant pacifist religious communities, his life shows how individual journeys contributed to our shared heritage.”

The “25 Stories for 250 Years” is a monthly series that invites audiences to learn more about the Granite State and its cultural institutions, weaving together stories that connect local heritage to the national American experience. Click here to learn more about “25 Stories for 250 Years”.

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountain Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. Member museums showcase diverse heritage from art and history to science and industry, offering unique stories and unforgettable experiences for all ages.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Celebrates “Remarkable Summer,” Looks Ahead

Military Gallery of the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro

As summer draws to a close, New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail President Jeff Barraclough called this summer “one of our strongest seasons yet,” marked by record visitor engagement and significant trail expansion.

“This summer has been remarkable,” said Barraclough. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in both local participation and out-of-state visitors discovering the incredible heritage stories our member museums tell. The enthusiasm has been infectious.”

The Trail’s popular Passport Program has been a particular success, attracting thousands of locals and tourists eager to discover museums they might not otherwise visit

Recent additions to the Trail, including the New England Ski Museum with locations in Franconia and North Conway, have expanded The Trail’s reach into New Hampshire’s rich snow sports heritage.

“Each new member institution brings unique stories and perspectives that strengthen our collective mission,” Barraclough explained. “The Ski Museum’s addition this summer has been especially exciting, connecting visitors to New Hampshire’s winter sports legacy while demonstrating how our smaller museums can pool resources for greater impact.”

Looking ahead to fall, Barraclough highlighted several initiatives designed to showcase New Hampshire’s diverse cultural landscape during the peak foliage season. “Fall is when New Hampshire truly shines, and our museums offer the perfect complement to the natural beauty visitors come to see,” he said. “We’re encouraging people to make their leaf-peeping trips more meaningful by discovering the human stories behind our landscapes.”

The Trail’s “25 Stories for 250 Years” initiative continues to unfold throughout the autumn months, offering visitors deeper connections to New Hampshire’s heritage as the state approaches its 250th anniversary.

“What excites me most is how our member museums are being recognized as significant cultural institutions that preserve and promote understanding of our national and state heritage,” Barraclough noted. “That recognition translates into increased support, better programming, and ultimately, more opportunities for people to connect with their history.”

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions across the state’s Lakes Region, White Mountain Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. Member museums showcase diverse heritage from art and history to science and industry, offering unique stories and unforgettable experiences for all ages.

A Most Extraordinary Man

A close-up of Peter Ayers’ House (# 48) in Henry Blinn’s 1848 map of the Village.

A Most Extraordinary Man

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Castle logo

In May of 1780, a young man named Peter Ayers met Shaker leader Ann Lee in the tiny community of Niskayuna, New York. Born in Voluntown, Connecticut in 1760, Ayers was 20 years old and a veteran of several Revolutionary War battles including Bunker Hill and Saratoga. After years of military service, Ayers was intrigued by the Shakers’ vision of a higher calling but was not ready to join the group.

In 1781, he returned to the army and served at the Battle of Yorktown. After three more visits with Shaker leadership, Ayers converted and became a missionary for the Society. In 1792, he accompanied his close friend Elder Job Bishop who was appointed to formally establish Canterbury Shaker Village. Over the next sixty-five years, Ayers proved to be an invaluable member of the community.

In August of 1840, former Governor of New Hampshire Isaac Hill published an account of the then eighty-year-old Ayers. Hill described him as “a most extraordinary man” with the energy of a person half of his age for whom “there was no scripture he could not quote in defense of his belief.”[1] Ayers died in 1857 at the age of 97.

[1] Isaac Hill, “The Shakers,” The Farmer’s Monthly Visitor 2, no. 8 (1840): 116. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/62626