Strawbery Banke, photo courtesy David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto.com

From late November through December, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail invites visitors to experience the warmth and wonder that make the holidays special in New England. “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 season began on The Trail on Thursday, November 28, with Portsmouth Historical Society’s 35th Annual Gingerbread House Contest, where “The Great Gingerbread Experiment” challenges bakers and builders to push creative boundaries through Monday, December 30. To learn more, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

As December unfolds, the festivities continue with Strawbery Banke Museum’s 46th annual Candlelight Stroll, featuring the “Midwinter Melodies” theme Thursday, December 5 through Sunday, December 21. Visitors can wander through 350+ years of seasonal traditions under the glow of candle boxes, experiencing furnished historic homes from 1795 through the 1950s while costumed interpreters share stories of Portsmouth’s maritime heritage. To learn more, visit strawberybanke.org.

Mid-December brings the Winter Magical Maker Fair at the Woodman Museum on Saturday, December 13, where families can explore the museum, enjoy storytelling with warm cocoa, and complete last-minute shopping with more than 20 vendors in this free, family-friendly indoor event. To learn more, visit woodmanmuseum.org.

“There is plenty to see and do on The Trail through December,” added Barraclough. “We hope you join us.”

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

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.

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.

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.

George Macomber

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.

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.

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.

“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.