Events - New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail To Feature ‘Muscle’ in August

On Saturday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., New England Racing Museum will host the 5th Annual Hot Rods, Muscle and More all-vehicles car show, presented by Shea Concrete Products.

In addition to the car show, featuring an estimated 150+ vehicles, the event provides visitors with the opportunity to explore New Hampshire history through dozens of historical race car and motorcycle exhibits inside the museum. Visitors may also test their skills on the museum’s iRacing rig and four lane electric slot car track.

“It’s a fun day where you can simply have a great time with your family,” said Thomas Netishen, executive director. “We also have a great gift shop where people can purchase gifts for others or mementoes to remember their time here.”

Regarding the show itself, Netishen said they will award 20 trophies, including the third annual Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy, which honors “two incredibly important people associated with the museum.”

“Ted Parker and Gil Coraine have contributed extensively to the museum’s success,” he added. “We look forward to honoring them each year with this high quality and unique trophy.”

Other event highlights include a 50/50 raffle, food truck, and the ‘Coolest Sounding’ vehicle runoff competition, which takes place at 1:00 p.m. Event proceeds support the museum and its mission “to preserve and educate the public on the history of New England motor racing.”

“Museum events like this are a major revenue source that help keep us operating,” said Netishen. The cost to enter a vehicle into the 5th Annual Hot Rods, Muscle and More is $20, which includes two free tickets to the museum that day of the show. The cost for spectators is $5 per person with kids under 12 admitted free. To learn more, visit nermuseum.com.

In addition to the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, click here.

The Trail Invites Visitors To Explore History

Created by the New Hampshire Historical Society, the 603 History Hunt is one of several experiential learning opportunities on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail that invite exploration of history in fun and creative ways.

“Everyone can learn more about the people, places, and events that make New Hampshire special while spending time traveling around the state completing challenges,” said Jenn Walton, assistant director of education and public programs.

Some challenges can be completed from anywhere in the state while others are found in a specific region or location within New Hampshire. Examples of challenges include asking players to film a video, take a photograph, answer a trivia question, or scan a QR code. Players earn points and win prizes, accordingly.

“The Society has been wanting to do a statewide scavenger hunt for several years now, and our 200th anniversary was the perfect opportunity to put our plan into motion,” added Walton.

To learn more about 603 History Hunt, visit nhhistory.org. To sign up for 603 History Hunt, download the Scavify app through the App Store or Google Play Store, or visit scavify.com/download.

Storywalk

If walking is more your speed, the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter invites visitors to walk along the boardwalk by Exeter River in Robert H. Stewart Waterfront Park for Storywalk. Part of a nationwide movement and literacy boosting project, Storywalk places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along the boardwalk.

“We select books that share the story of the 18th century and the American Revolution,” said Sarah Jaworski, program manager. “Our goal is to teach civics and inspire civic engagement.”

In July and August, the selected book is “Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means.” “The book is wonderful in teaching children about the five liberties protected by the First Amendment,” added Jaworski.

Robert H. Stewart Waterfront Park is located on the point of the Exeter River in downtown Exeter. Storywalk takes place through October. To learn more about AIM, or other programming for kids, visit independencemuseum.org.

In addition to the New Hampshire Historical Society and AIM, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or its Passport program, which provides buyers with one free admission ticket to each member institution, click here.

Portsmouth Features Walking Tours, Music and More on The Trail

This summer, there is plenty to do on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail in Portsmouth, which is home to several member institutions, including Portsmouth Historical Society and Strawbery Banke Museum.

“With Portsmouth’s 400th celebrations going on this year, it’s a great time for both visitors and locals to engage with Portsmouth’s history,” said Sabina Ion of Portsmouth Historical Society.

At Portsmouth Historical Society, visitors can enjoy the New England summer “while immersing themselves in history on daily walking tours.” “Our knowledgeable guides take visitors throughout downtown Portsmouth, revealing unique insights and fun tidbits of history on several different kinds of walking tours,” said Emma Stratton, executive director. “These tours are especially interesting given all that is taking place throughout Portsmouth this year.”

To learn more about Portsmouth Historical Society or their walking tours, visit portsmouthhistory.org

Tuesdays on the Terrace

At Strawbery Banke, Tuesdays on the Terrace summer concerts take place every Tuesday through August 29 on the Kennebunk Savings Terrace from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Upcoming July performances include North River Music (July 4), Liz & Dan Faiella (July 11), Sharon Jones (July 18), and Kids Night featuring Mr. Aaron (July 25).

“There is something for everyone as the performers are so talented and diverse,” said Linnea Grim, Strawberry Banke President and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair. “There are also two concerts specifically created for kids.”

Located on nearly 10 acres, Strawbery Banke interprets more than 300 years of history—from Indigenous history to the present day. To learn more about Tuesdays on the Terrace or Strawbery Banke, visit strawberybanke.org.

In addition to Portsmouth Historical Society and Strawbery Banke, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail in Portsmouth include Albacore Park and Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden. “Let Portsmouth be your first stop on The Trail this summer,” added Stratton. “You have 400 years of history to explore here.”

Member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

The Trail Preserving New Hampshire History and Heritage

On Friday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough will host Wild West Gala in the Clouds, a fundraiser that underscores the importance of historic preservation in New Hampshire.

“Historic preservation is one of our primary objectives—we are stewards of history,” said Charles Clark, executive director of Castle in the Clouds, who said Gala proceeds will support a new restoration project at historic Lucknow Estate.

As for the nature of the project, Clark said it will remain a secret until the night of the event. “We are announcing it at the Gala so we don’t want to spoil the surprise,” he added.

Ladd-Gilman House (1721)

At the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter, Executive Director Jennifer Carr said their proverbial “secret” is out. Built in 1721, AIM’s Ladd-Gilman House has been the focus of ongoing restoration efforts for more than 5 years.

“It’s a process that involves painstaking research, professional assessments, and significant financial support,” said Carr. “Currently, we are looking to conduct an historic building assessment of the Ladd-Gilman House before proceeding with further restoration projects.”

One future project at AIM that is already known, however, is a new heating system at the Ladd-Gilman House. “Controlling the internal climate within the museum is essential both for the building’s structural integrity and the care and preservation of our artifacts,” added Carr.

According to Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail and executive director of member institution Millyard Museum in Manchester, historic preservation may be defined in many ways.

“As museums, our role is to not just interpret, but reinterpret, history through the critical lens of what is taking place today,” he said. “We are storytellers, too, which falls under the purview of historic preservation and the unique heritage of our state.”

To learn more about Castle in the Clouds or purchase tickets to Wild West Gala in the Clouds, visit castleintheclouds.org. To learn more about AIM or Ladd-Gilman House, visit independencemuseum.org.

Education is a ‘Field’ Trip on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Featuring 21 museums in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail is an educational destination for many secondary schools.

“Many of us have developed field trips for students of varying ages,” noted Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail and executive director of member institution Millyard Museum in Manchester. “If you want your child or student to learn about New Hampshire and its rich history, take a field trip to a member institution on The Trail.”

One such member institution is the American Independence Museum (Exeter, NH), which is revamping its on-site field trips for the 23/24 academic school year. Designed for 5th graders, the program is entitled, Multiple Perspectives: Patriots & Loyalists.

“It’s a 2-hour program that provides students and homeschoolers with insight into the unique perspectives of loyalists, patriots, and those who remained neutral,” said Sarah Jaworski, program manager at the American Independence Museum. “It’s aligned with national curriculum standards and provides a hands-on, inquiry-based learning experience.”

The intent behind Multiple Perspectives: Patriots & Loyalists, noted Jaworksi, is to help students recognize the “complex challenges” faced by people living in the colonies leading up to the Revolutionary War. “The hope is that students can connect what happened during Colonial times with present day life,” she said. “History has a tendency to repeat itself.”

At Castle in the Clouds (CITC) in Moultonborough, Debbi Finkelstein, director of Education & Partnerships, expressed enthusiasm for their field trips, available for the first time since 2019. Offered in full- and half-day formats, field trips include a guided tour of Lucknow Mansion and guided hike.

“We have workbooks for students to use throughout the mansion with questions and activities that provide them with a variety of interactive and critical thinking opportunities,” she said.

Questions that guide CITC’s field trip curriculum include: ‘How does technology influence your life on a daily basis’ and ‘What can land use and change tell you about the people who inhabited the land?’ “The lesson plan itself pairs social studies (history) with STEM topics, such as geology and technology,” added Finkelstein.

In reflecting on the educational experiences possible throughout The Trail, Barraclough said member institutions are an “underutilized resource in the state,” which is something he hopes can change. “We are actively working with schools to develop educational programs and field trips that complement the in-school learning experience,” he said. “We would love to work with more schools and educate even more students.”

To learn more about field trips at the American Independence Museum and Castle in the Clouds, visit independencemuseum.org and castleintheclouds.org, respectively.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Gets Musical

Charged with preserving New Hampshire’s heritage, several museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail will offer music concerts for all ages this spring and summer, including The Belknap Mill and Canterbury Shaker Village.

The Belknap Mill’s ‘Arts in the Park’ Summer Concert Series begins Friday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. with Newmont Military Band. Other dates in the series, free and open to the public, include June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, and September 8.

Arts in the Park concerts take place at Rotary Park, 30 Beacon St. E. in Laconia. “We are excited to welcome visitors from near and far to these concerts,” said The Belknap Mill’s Jill Desruisseaux. “We hope these concerts spur people to also learn more about The Belknap Mill, by visiting our exhibits and museum spaces during the shows.”

Built in 1823, Belknap Mill is the oldest, largely unaltered brick textile mill in the United States. The Belknap Mill’s mission is to preserve the Belknap Mill as a unique historic gathering place and to celebrate the Lakes Region’s cultural heritage through the arts, education and civic engagement. To learn more, visit belknapmill.org.

Beginning Sunday, July 2 at 4:00 p.m. with the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio, Canterbury Shaker Village’s Music on the Green takes place every Sunday through September 24. An Emmy award winning composer and critically acclaimed New Hampshire based fiddler and singer, Tirrell-Wysocki is known for a unique blend of fiddling and singing to produce his own style of Celtic music.

Admission to Music on the Green is free, although donations are encouraged. “We are thrilled we can provide this beautiful concert series for all ages on our expansive grounds,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director of the Village. “Bring a picnic, go for a hike on our trails, or take a tour before — you can make a day of it here.”

Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. To learn more, visit shakers.org.

In addition to The Belknap Mill and Canterbury Shaker Village, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

New England Racing Museum To Host 2nd Annual New England Racers Reunion: Race Car Show

On Saturday, May 6, New England Racing Museum will host the 2nd Annual New England Racers Reunion: Race Car Show with a variety of race cars and race motorcycles on display. “This is our season opening fundraiser, and we look forward to welcoming guests from across the region to the museum with over 50 race cars expected,” said Executive Director Thomas Netishen.

At the event, visitors will be able to view racing exhibits from Ron Bouchard Museum, ProNyne Motorsports Museum, Ollie Silva Museum, and Maine Vintage Race Car Association. Senior Tour of Auto Racers and ACOT will also have car corrals.

One important change for this year’s event is the introduction of the Jim Martel Trophy, which will be awarded to best in show. Known as “Gentleman Jim,” Martel raced across New England for four decades in cutdowns, supermodifieds, sprint cars, and stock cars. In 1970, he captured 21 wins at Star Speedway in the late model division.

“We are pleased to name the best of show trophy in memory of Jim, who was a local racing standout, hall of famer, restorer, and former board member of the museum,” said Netishen.

In addition to best in show, other awards include best appearing open wheel race car, Mary Lima best appearing modified, best appearing stock car race car, best appearing drag race car, best appearing race motorcycle, and best appearing road race car.

The 2nd Annual New England Racers Reunion: Race Car Show is open to the public at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at New England Racing Museum in Loudon. An onsite food truck will be available and a 50/50 raffle will take place. Admission is $5 per adult and free for kids.

Featuring more than 30 displays of historic race cars and motorcycles, the museum will also be open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the event with $10 admission for adults and kids under 12 free. For more information about the event or museum, visit nemsmuseum.com.

In addition to the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Anticipates Busy 2023 Season

In 2023, more than 100,000 visitors are expected to visit the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which features more than 20 museums in the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley, and Lakes Region. “We are excited to welcome people from across the nation and world this season,” said Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail and executive director of member institution Millyard Museum in Manchester.

Regarding highlights this year, Barraclough cited the unique characteristics of member institutions with some located in urban settings and others located on pastoral landscapes. “You won’t have just one kind of experience on The Trail,” he said. “What you will discover at any of our museums, however, is an intentional focus to bring history to life in creative ways.”

At Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, Executive Director Leslie Nolan said visitors can literally walk through history. “Our tours take you inside beautifully restored original Shaker buildings, and we have miles and miles of trails that are open to the public on nearly 700 acres of forests, fields and gardens,” she said. “We also offer special programs, including outdoor concerts, stone wall building workshops, and so much more.”

Looking out Canterbury Shaker Village Store Window

Located in downtown Exeter, the American Independence Museum (AIM) also provides visitors with a chance to walk through history, as the nearly one-acre campus features tours of the Ladd-Gilman House (1721) and Folsom Tavern (1775).

AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr cited big changes this year brought about by new staff that she believes will excite visitors of all ages. “Our new events manager is expanding our calendar to include more interactive and experiential events, and our new curator is conducting research to bring more exciting and inclusive stories and exhibits to guests,” she said.

Carr said they also have significant preservation work planned this year. “Guests will have an opportunity to learn about—and see—the hard work that goes into preserving historic structures,” she added.

Restoration work will also take place at Canterbury Shaker Village, as a new roof will be installed at the Dwelling House. One of 26 restored original Shaker buildings on the property, the Dwelling House is a T-shaped structure with 56 rooms that has been expanded numerous times since its construction in 1793.

Featuring a Chapel, a Paul Revere family bell, and a Shaker library, the 8,700 square foot Dwelling House is where the Shakers also ate and slept. “This building is a unique treasure of the property and worth a visit on its own,” added Nolan.

“Unique treasures,” cited Barraclough, defines all member institutions on The Trail, each providing “a snapshot of New Hampshire history.” “There is more than 300 years of history here on The Trail,” he said. “If you want to experience New Hampshire, this is the place to do it.”

Member institutions on The Trail are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

New Exhibit and Galleries Highlight Current Events

A new exhibit at the Millyard Museum and new galleries at the Currier Museum of Art highlight current events on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.

At the Millyard Museum in Manchester, Manchester Through the Lens of Frank Kelly features photographs and negatives of Frank Kelly, a prominent Manchester photographer in the mid-twentieth century. Over his long career, Kelly and his wife, Eleanor, photographed many Manchester people, events, businesses, and landmarks.

“This is an incredible exhibit that highlights his work, including unique shots of Manchester businesses and presidential visits to the Queen City,” said Jeff Barracough, executive director of the Millyard Museum. “Collectively, these images provide a snapshot of Manchester during a period of enormous change.”

Manchester Through the Lens of Frank Kelly will run through March 31, 2023. To learn more, visit manchesterhistoric.org.

Also located in Manchester on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, The Currier Museum has completed the reinstallation of many of its galleries, including the entire second floor. Developing themes that cut across European, American, and Asian cultures, these new galleries combine historic and contemporary works along with new acquisitions.

Guston with Brooks chairs

One such acquisition is a painting by 17th-century Dutch artist Judith Leyster, a pioneering female artist of her time who painted genre works, portraits, and still lifes. The painting is currently on view in The Currier Museum’s European Gallery next to a painting by her husband, Jan Miense Molenaer (part of a permanent collection).

In addition to its 19th Century Collection, new galleries explore Nature and Nostalgia through American landscape paintings in the 19th and 20th centuries, periods defined by tremendous changes, including war, industrialization, and growth of cities. Some subject matter specifically pertains to New Hampshire.

“Our strong collection of views of the White Mountains is now enhanced by an early painting of the Cog Railway on Mount Washington and Philip Guston’s gigantic mural made for the National Forestry Building in Laconia,” explained Senior Curator Kurt Sundstrom. “These are reminders that New Hampshire’s landscape was nearly destroyed in the late 1800s and had to be carefully restored and protected.”

To learn more about The Currier Museum, and its new galleries, visit currier.org.

In addition to the Millyard Museum and The Currier Museum, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Portsmouth Historical Society to Host Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition

The 32nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition is now open at the Portsmouth Historical Society on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.

In addition to the exhibition at the Portsmouth Historical Society Galleries at 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth through Friday, December 22, gingerbread houses will be on display at downtown Portsmouth businesses that are participating in a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt. Portsmouth Historical Society is also hosting a Vintage Christmas Kickoff Party on Friday, December 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled to once again ring in the holiday season with these special events,” said Sabina Ion, marketing manager.

This year’s theme of fictional places and characters was inspired by two exhibitions in 2022 at Portsmouth Historical Society that featured children’s book illustrations. “Entries in this year’s Contest and Exhibition will include classic characters near and dear to many, magical castles, and favorite fantasy landscapes that are sure to put people in the holiday spirit,” added Ion.

According to Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, the events at Portsmouth Historical Society represent just “a small sampling” of holiday-themed events on The Trail this season. “From Portsmouth up to the Lakes Region and down to Manchester, there is plenty to do on The Trail that celebrates the holidays,” he said.

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

Founded in 1917, Portsmouth Historical Society is devoted to championing the history, arts, and culture of the Portsmouth region through acquisitions, preservation, museum exhibitions, programs, and publications. To learn more about the Portsmouth Historical Society, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

Be ‘Merry’ This Holiday Season at Canterbury Shaker Village

Located on the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, Canterbury Shaker Village will host several events to help kick off the holiday season, beginning with the Village Store Holiday Sale.

Held Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Village Store Holiday Sale will offer free hot cocoa and cider along with complimentary gift wrapping for any purchased item. An additional perk at the Holiday Sale for members only is 20% off any item in the Store.

“Now is definitely the time to renew your membership or become a new member,” said the Village Executive Director Leslie Nolan. “Our Store features books, textiles, soaps, candles, Shaker boxes, and so much more. It’s a great place to start your holiday shopping.”

On Saturday, December 3 at 4:00 p.m., the Village will host Concert & Cocktails, the first of two ‘Merry Merry Canterbury’ themed events. Featuring the String Quartet from Symphony NH, the concert will be followed by a festive reception with farm-grown appetizers by The Rustic Gourmet and a signature cocktail by Cold Garden Distillery at 5:00 p.m.

Concert & Cocktails is sponsored by Coaches Collective International, Cambridge Trust, and Bruce & Betsy Stefany. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased at shakers.org.

On Sunday, December 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, Canterbury Singers will sing holiday Shaker songs. Before the performance from 12:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m., visitors can make pomanders and cinnamon tree ornaments in the Village’s Hubbard Gallery.

Additional activities at the Village during this time of year include “Shaker Stories” tours, offered at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18. Tours are also available at the same time on the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 25.

“Shop, experience music, take a tour, walk our trails—there is plenty to see and do this holiday season at the Village,” said Nolan.

Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. In addition to Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

New England Racing Museum to Host Legends Day on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

On Sunday, November 13, New England Racing Museum will host Legends Day, which will feature numerous stock car stars of the former NASCAR North and Busch North Series in attendance. These stars include Maine’s Kelly Moore (all-time wins leader in the Busch North Series), legendary Vermont racing brothers Bobby and Beaver Dragon, ‘Dynamite ‘ Dave Dion, and Central New Hampshire native Brad Leighton.

“This event honors these drivers, all of whom collectively represent an all-star lineup of New England stock car greats,” noted Tom Netishen, executive director of the museum.

Presented by Autopac Gallery and Overhead Door Options, the event includes an honoree panel discussion, permanent banner unveiling, and buffet lunch. Event co-emcees will include museum founder Dick Berggren and Vermont native Dave Moody, the latter of whom is host of the nationally syndicated Sirius Speedway radio show.

Expressing excitement for the event, Netishen said he hopes it serves to enlighten people as to the deeper mission behind New England Racing Museum itself. “While the primary focus of the museum is racing, guests also learn how regional motor sports have impacted the development of automotive engineering and automotive safety,” he explained. “Many developments in auto racing have directly impacted consumer and commercial vehicles.”

The museum also features multiple interactive exhibits. “If you’ve never been to a race or driven a race car, we encourage you to test drive our simulator and sit in a real race car,” added Netishen.

New England Racing Museum is a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which features more than 20 museums throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. “We are excited to be part of The Trail and, like all member institutions, reveal deeper insight into a slice of New Hampshire history and its relevance to today.”

Legends Day takes place at New England Racing Museum on Sunday, November 13. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. with guests able to explore the museum’s 30+ race cars, motorcycles, and hundreds of artifacts. The museum’s 2022 feature exhibit includes the Busch North cars of Brad Leighton, Dave Dion, and Kelly Moore. Buffet lunch and social hour is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Honoree discussion starts at 1:00 p.m., and the event concludes with a dramatic banner unveiling ceremony in which commemorative banners become a permanent part of the museum.

Legends Day tickets are $50 for museum members and $55 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit nemsmuseum.com or call 603-783-0183.

In addition to the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

Author Mike Pride to Speak on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

On Saturday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m., historian and author Mike Pride will discuss “the long lost story” of Civil War nurse Harriet Dame at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord. Described by The Society’s Elizabeth Dubrulle, director of Education and Public Programs, as one of New Hampshire’s “most determined fighters for the Union,” Dame is the subject of Pride’s recently published book, No Place for a Woman: Harriet Dame’s Civil War. “Dame was quite a woman,” Dubrulle said. “She was one of the few women to accompany the troops into the field, often treating their wounds amidst the fighting.”

Dame served with the Second NH Regiment throughout the war—from the first Battle of Bull Run until the regiment was disbanded in Christmas 1865. “When her portrait was hung in the NH State House in 1900, she became the first woman so commemorated in the state,” added Dubrulle. “Her portrait was placed among the portraits of dozens of men whose images line the state house walls.” At the lecture, entitled “‘Self Was Absorbed in Loving Labor’: Harriet P. Dame Goes to War,” Pride will recount his exploration of Dame’s career at the war front and her long postwar life. No Place for a Woman: Harriet Dame’s Civil War will be available for purchase, and Pride will sign copies. The lecture is free, and registration is not required.

For more information about the lecture or The Society, which houses more than 35,000 objects, 2 million manuscript pages, and 250,000 photographs, visit nhhistory.org. In addition to the New Hampshire Historical Society, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail features more than 20 museums throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. “The Society is a terrific example of one of the roles fulfilled by The Trail, which seeks to preserve and promote an understanding and appreciation for our state’s heritage,” remarked Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “We invite people of all ages to visit The Society and other museums on the Trail this fall and winter season.” In addition to The Society in Concord, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Castle in the Clouds to Host Halloween Pumpkin Walk on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

In partnership with Moultonborough Recreation Department and Lakes Region Conservation Trust, Castle in the Clouds will host Halloween Pumpkin Walk on Friday, October 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Self-guided, the walk takes place on a hiking trail that is family-friendly and less than a mile in length.

“Bring headlamps or flashlights to help you find your way,” said Catherine Boyer Porter, marketing coordinator at Castle in the Clouds.“Costumes are also encouraged.”

After the hike, guests are invited to warm up by a fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and goodies, compliments of Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough Recreation Department, and Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

Castle in the Clouds is owned and operated by Castle Preservation Society, whose mission is to preserve, interpret and share its buildings and surrounding landscape as a cultural and educational resource for the public’s benefit. For more information about Halloween Pumpkin Walk or Castle in the Clouds, visit castleintheclouds.org.

In addition to Castle in the Clouds, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Ghosts Take Center Stage on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

This Halloween season, visitors just may see some ghosts on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, beginning with the American Independence Museum’s “Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tours.”

Taking place at Winter Street Cemetery in Exeter, “Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tours” features a colonial guide who will take visitors to the graves of some of Exeter’s most famous and infamous revolutionary residents. Primarily used from the 1740s to 1870s, Winter Street Cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent members of Exeter, including governors, politicians, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, and others.

“Ghosts of Winter Street Cemetery Tours” take place at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., at Winter Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 22. The 3:00 p.m. tour is designed especially for families with elementary school aged children, all of whom are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit independencemuseum.org.

At Strawbery Banke Museum’s “Ghosts on the Banke,” visitors can trick-or-treat safely outdoors from house to historic house with Jack-o’-lanterns lighting the way in Portsmouth’s oldest waterfront neighborhood.

During the event, which takes place from 5:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29, visitors will encounter wayward pirates and a mysterious fortune-teller. Ghostly tales will be recounted, while visitors can construct a giant spider web, dance to spooky musical tunes, and play games for prizes.

Member ticket sales begin on Wednesday, September 21 followed by public ticket sales on Monday, September 26. To learn more, or purchase tickets, visit strawberybanke.org.

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