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Woodman Museum Opens for 2025 Season

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Gallery at the Woodman Museum

Now open for the 2025 season, guests at the Woodman Museum will experience several new exhibits, including an interactive gallery about colonial taverns. “You can walk in, play tavern games, collect recipes, see artifacts, and try on reproduction costuming,” noted Woodman Museum Executive Director Jon Nichols.

Popular permanent galleries include the nationally acclaimed Ninja Turtles exhibit and an Edwin Booth Theatre gallery, which contains memorabilia, costumes, and video montages. “The theatre is where filmmaker and director Robert Eggers started,” added Nichols. “Eggers directed the 2024 film Nosferatu, and a piece from the movie is on display.”

The real story behind the museum this year, however, may be what took place this past winter. In early November 2024, the museum’s boiler broke down, a development that necessitated the replacement of antique steam radiators with an electric mini-split system.

“This will allow us to better control the climate—everything from temperature to humidity—to help protect our collections,” explained Nichols, who expressed appreciation for community support, which included a sizeable private donation.

In looking to the 2025 season, Nichols said there is always a reason to come back more than once. “We have rotating galleries all year, so there are always going to be new experiences here at The Woodman,” he added.

The Woodman Museum is a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “We are thrilled The Woodman is back in operation and ready to delight guests, young and old,” remarked Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “They are an important and leading member of The Trail.”

In addition to the Woodman Museum in Dover, 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 Welcomes Devon Kurtz

NHBM Executive Director Devon Kurtz

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail recently welcomed Devon Kurtz as the new Executive Director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM). Kurtz joins NHBM at a key time for the organization, which is opening for its first full season at its 24,000 square-foot Moultonborough facility on Saturday, May 24.

“We are thrilled to have Devon on board,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “He has a wide breadth of museum experience and a unique perspective and passion for history that will resonate down the entire Trail.”

Kurtz has decades of experience working with museum exhibits, educational programming, and history. Most recently, he worked in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, where he collaborated with the National Park Service to explore the regional impacts of the American Industrial Revolution. He has also worked at the Higgins Armory Museum, the Concord Museum, and Old Sturbridge Village living history museum.

“I’m really excited to return to a formal museum that also has boat building, lake rides, restoration, model building, and more,” said Kurtz. “NHBM is passionate about engaging visitors, and there’s potential to do even more of that.”

According to Kurtz, NHBM is uniquely positioned because they are “still building the museum.” “Over the next couple of years, we’ll be developing and experimenting with different types of interpretation – whether museum panels or use of technology – to engage visitors with our story,” he added.

He also highlighted NHBM’s strong team of volunteers working on exhibit designs all winter. On his second day in the office, he described helping volunteers carry in and paint “a huge stack” of wood to build the docks for NHBM’s Marina Exhibit, “Mahogany Marvels.” “Our volunteers have transformed this pile of lumber into extraordinary exhibits for our visitors,” he noted.

As NHBM prepares to open for the season, Kurtz said there’s “a buzzing excitement” around opening day. At the end of April, NHBM hung a sign with their logo outside their entrance. “To quote one volunteer,” he said, “‘We have arrived.’”

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

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm Offers Gardening Series

Tomatoes harvested at Remick Farm. Photo Credit – Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

On Saturday, May 10, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm will host Soil Enhancements and Composting for Your Garden, the second in a seven session gardening series.

Designed for participants age 16 and older, the series is geared towards beginner gardeners, but Remick Museum Executive Director Cara Sutherland said more experienced gardeners “may learn a few new techniques along the way.” “The goal of this series is prompted by a growing awareness of how we can create food resiliency in these challenging times,” she said.

Citing that the series is inspired by the Victory gardens of World War I and World War II, Sutherland said a small garden allows people to be “a little bit less dependent” on today’s grocery stores. “You avoid uncertain pricing, and you can also experience a level of satisfaction that comes with growing your own food,” she added.

The series, which began in April, takes place one Saturday each month through October. Although the series follows the growing season and builds upon knowledge from the prior month, participants can choose to attend individual sessions. “The first three classes, as well as the September and October programs, are a combination of lecture and demonstration,” Sutherland explained. “The July and August classes will be hands-on workshops in the commercial kitchen where we will be making canned products to take home.”

According to Jeff Barraclough, president of the NH Heritage Museum Trail of which Remick Museum is a member, referred to the gardening series as “incredibly innovative.” “This is an exciting opportunity to get hands-on practical experience you can bring to your own home,” he said. “It’s also particularly special to honor the legacy of six generations of the Remick family who started growing food on this land over 200 years ago.”

Click here to learn more about the Remick Museum’s gardening series or pre-register.

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

NH Heritage Museum Trail Digs Up History

Students in the Field

In June on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, Strawbery Banke Museum will host two two-week Archaeological Field Schools, a field session and lab session, at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford. Built in 1701, the Paul Wentworth House is one of the oldest surviving dwellings in New Hampshire and is currently maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH).

“We are delighted to partner with ARCH for this program,” said Strawbery Banke Museum Archaeologist Dr. Alexandra Martin, who will run the Field School with Dr. Tad Baker, Historical Archaeologist and Professor at Salem State University. “This is a unique opportunity to combine our resources and offer students hands-on training in archaeological methods.”

Designed for anyone 18 and up interested in archaeology, historic preservation, and local history, these sessions will “offer students hands-on training in archaeological methods,” said Martin. In the field session, students will lay out excavation units, dig, locate artifacts, and map and document cultural resources. In the lab session, students will clean and preserve artifacts collected in the field while learning about the role archaeological research plays in designing museum exhibits.

“Unlike historic documents, which tend to exclude women, children, and people of color, everyone is represented in the trash left behind,” explained Martin.“Archaeology helps to show us that everyone is a part of history and that even the details of our own everyday lives are contributing to the historic record for future generations to learn from.”

ARCH Board Vice President Lucy Putnam emphasized that the organization is “ thrilled to be partnering with Strawbery Banke Museum on the Field School this summer.” She added, “We are particularly interested in learning more about the lives of the enslaved inhabitants of the house. As little is known about their daily lives, we hope the project will bring additional information to light.”

Visitors are welcome to visit the site during the Archaeology Field School. Both sessions occur from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The field session starts on Tuesday, June 3, and runs until Saturday, June 14, at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, while the lab session takes place from Monday, June 16, through Friday, June 27, at the Carter Collections Center at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth. Click here to learn more.

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, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Community Manchester Historic Association Announces Historic Preservation Award Honorees

Cohas Brook Trestle

On Tuesday, May 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Manchester Historic Association (MHA) will hold the 33rd Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony at Derryfield School in Manchester.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate our friends and partners in the community who are doing their part to preserve Manchester’s history,” said MHA Executive Director Jeff Barraclough. “This event recognizes the efforts of individuals, businesses and organizations in Manchester who have made significant contributions to the preservation of that heritage.”

A committee reviewed nominations and selected five individuals, organizations, and businesses for their contributions to the preservation of buildings, neighborhoods, traditions, and other historic resources in Manchester. 2025 honorees include: Richard Soares (Homeowners Award), Lucia Merritt Carlisle (Stewardship Award), City of Manchester Public Works for the Cohas Brook Trestle (Conservation of Natural and Structural Resources Award), First Baptist Church (City Landmark Award), and Antiques on Elm (Conservation of Cultural Resources Award).

“The Awards Ceremony is a lively and exciting event with a very interesting program that highlights the history of the five honorees and how the owners have preserved the history of each property,” said Barraclough.

Tickets for the event, which includes a buffet dinner and cocktail reception, are $100 for MHA members and $125 for general admission. Event proceeds will support events, educational programs, and collection care at Millyard Museum, operated by MHA. Millyard Museum is one of nearly two dozen museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which is located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Click here to learn more about the Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony or purchase tickets.

Community Valentine’s Project Highlights Portsmouth’s Rich History

A Valentine made for the Community Valentine’s Project

In early February, Portsmouth Historical Society hosted its first Community Valentine’s Project to show love for places and buildings in Portsmouth. In total, approximately two dozen Valentines were crafted during the event and subsequently hung on the City of Portsmouth’s “Tree of Love” in Market Square for a week after the event.

“This program was conceptualized by our newest staff member, Verity Boyer, who is passionate about sharing the importance of historic preservation with the community,” said Marketing Manager Sabina Ion. “Her idea was to show our love and appreciation for the buildings and spaces around us that impact people’s lives and bring joy to the community.”

Valentines contained messages to locations around Portsmouth, including the John Paul Jones House, Moffatt-Ladd House, Rockingham lions, former Daily Times Building, Ona Judge mural, Strawberry Banke Museum, Memorial Bridge, and African Burying Grounds. “The messages draw attention to how people are still interacting with the monuments of our past and show what an impact the historic character of this city has on the current residents,” Ion said.

Portsmouth Historical Society is a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “This event promoted connection to place, history, and culture in a fun and creative way,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “We hope people can turn to museums on The Trail for not just education, but fun experiences for the entire family.”

According to Ion, Portsmouth Historical Society plans to make the Community Valentine’s Project an annual event in partnership with the City of Portsmouth. “This program supports our mission of connecting the community to our past, present, and future,” she explained. Click here to learn more Portsmouth Historical Society.

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.

New England Racing Museum Celebrates “TrueLOVE” in February

Russ Truelove’s 1956 Mercury

New England Racing Museum is offering $5 off admission in February in honor of “TrueLOVE”, where they will feature the 1956 Mercury Russ Truelove famously raced and crashed on the Daytona Beach and Road Course.

The Mercury has been loaned to New England Racing Museum by the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It is the only New England car to compete in the Daytona Beach and Road course that survives,” said Ruth Thompson, New England Racing Museum Deputy Director & Assistant to the President.

After qualifying 5th in the “flying mile time trial” at the Daytona course in 1956, Truelove rolled the Mercury six times. The crash was later featured in Life Magazine. In addition to the repaired car, the display at New England Racing Museum features the magazine spread and a film clip of the crash.

“The car is in great condition,” said Thompson. “The interior looks as it did when Truelove raced it with its original dashboard, steering wheel, crank windows, and bench seat. It has become a lot of visitors’ favorite car to see.”

Truelove’s daughter, Robin Truelove Stronk of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, said her father “lived to race.” “He literally took a stock car on a payment plan from the showroom floor where he worked as a salesman with the idea of racing it in the 1956 Grand National at Daytona,” she said.

When situations went awry, such as after the crash, her father always said, “’I’ll think of something,’” added Truelove Stronk.

New England Racing Museum is offering $5 off admission for in February. This month, the museum gift shop is also promoting its first women’s t-shirt in the shade of raspberry for $20. Click here for more information about New England Racing Museum.

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.

Museum of the White Mountains Opens New Exhibit

MWM’s new exhibit “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains”

The Museum of the White Mountains (MWM) has opened a new exhibit, “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains,” on display until March 29.

The exhibit was co-curated by MWM Director Meghan Doherty and New Hampshire-based photographer Joe Klementovich. According to Doherty, the exhibit explores how winters have changed in the last 150 years. Through displays that feature historical and contemporary winter recreation gear, graphs from climate science studies, and winter-related photography by Klementovich, the exhibit reveals the complex relationships between climate, technology, and access to the outdoors.

“We want visitors to the exhibition to both appreciate the rich history of winter recreation in the White Mountains and recognize how our winters are changing,” said Doherty. “Since 1970, winters in New Hampshire have warmed up 6 ℉.”

Since 1957, she said snowpack duration has also decreased by 31 days at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Woodstock, New Hampshire. “As our winters get warmer and we experience more rain during the winter months, our opportunities to get outside and experience the joys of winter recreation are decreasing,” she added. “Getting out and enjoying the snow helps us remember the joys of winter and why it’s worth protecting.”

MWM is one of nearly two dozen NH Heritage Museum Trail member institutions. According to Trail President Jeff Barraclough, the new exhibit at MWM underscores the relevance of The Trail itself.

“Collectively, our exhibits and programs reveal not just the importance of historical knowledge but its relevance to today,” he said. “We hope people will take the time to explore this exhibit and consider visiting our many other worthy member institutions.”

To learn more about the Museum of the White Mountains, including the “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains” exhibit, visit plymouth.edu/mwm.

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

The Trail Kicks off 25 Stories for 250 Years

Mt. Kearsarge Museum in Warner, NH

Leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail has launched 25 Stories for 250 Years. In this initiative, member institutions on The Trail will share stories about unique and interesting people, places, and events that celebrate New Hampshire heritage.

“Every museum has interesting stories to tell about the men and women who have shaped the history of the state,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “This project will highlight some often overlooked stories about those people and events and raise better awareness of their importance to New Hampshire’s history.”

The project, which kicked off in December 2024, asks each of The Trail’s 21 member institutions to contribute at least one story about New Hampshire history. These stories will be released each month through 2026. “It is our hope that people will learn new things about New Hampshire through this project and that they will be inspired to visit the museums on the Trail,” added Barraclough.

In December, The Trail highlighted “Raid on Fort William and Mary” by the American Independence Museum (AIM), which also contributed “Revolutionary Women” in January. Featured stories are available on nhmuseumtrail.org, Facebook, and Instagram.

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

The Trail Holds Professional Development Day for Educators

The “Cultivating Teacher Care” event at Castle in the Clouds in 2024

On Thursday, February 6, Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough will host their second annual Professional Development Day for educators, Cultivating Teacher Care at the Castle.

“We want to provide a unique and relaxing day of learning that showcases Castle in the Clouds and all we have to offer,” said Debbi Finkelstein, Director of Education & Partnerships at Castle in the Clouds. “Our mission is all about sharing and educating, so this program fits in perfectly.”

The event is designed for educators who teach kindergarten through grade 12, but Finkelstein said preschool teachers and college level instructors are also welcome. During the event, educators will have the opportunity to network and participate in activities such as mindfulness journaling, crafting, and yoga. The event will also feature an informational session, Good Food, Good Mood, with nutritionist Katy Magoon and From Canvas to Film: Exploring the Art & Artists of Lucknow, a presentation by Castle in the Clouds Curator & Director of Preservation Robin Sherman.

According to Trail President Jeff Barraclough, events like these are “at the heart of our mission to connect the public with our culturally rich member institutions.” He added, “Supporting educators in the state and beyond means we are also supporting the next generation’s stewards of history.”

Educators at last year's event

Educators at last year’s event

Taking place on Thursday, February 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cultivating Teacher Care at the Castle requires pre-registration and costs $150 per person. Lunch will be provided along with a short hike around the property, weather permitting. Each educator will be entered into a raffle with the opportunity to win a complimentary Castle in the Clouds Family Membership, a Family Four Pack, and a $50 gift certificate for use at the estate.

Interested educators in New Hampshire and surrounding states can pre-register and learn more here. Castle in the Clouds will also host a free annual Teacher Open House in June with more information to be released soon.

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

National Historic Landmark Designated on NH Heritage Museum Trail

The Lucknow Estate (Castle in the Clouds) in Moultonborough, NH

In December, the Lucknow Estate (Castle in the Clouds), a New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail member, was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This designation is the highest level of Federal recognition for a historic site.

“Having the Lucknow Estate recognized for its exceptional integrity and significance in both architecture and landscape architecture is a testament to the importance of preserving our nation’s history,” said Castle in the Clouds Executive Director Charles Clark. “It is particularly gratifying that our work to preserve, interpret, and share this special place has been recognized.”

Built between 1913 and 1914, the estate initially sat on 6,300 acres and was a retirement retreat for shoe manufacturer Thomas Gustave Plant and his wife, Olive Plant. The recent National Historic Landmark designation includes over 5,300 acres protected by partner organizations Castle Preservation Society and the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, making the Lucknow Estate the largest geographical Historic Landmark District in the state.

According to Clark, the road to designation was “an intense process with multiple steps.” The Lucknow Estate is now one of roughly 2,600 National Historic Landmarks in the country and one of 24 in New Hampshire.

“We hope that this designation encourages even more people to visit the Estate and see first-hand the beauty and integrity that make it one of the most special places in the country,” added Clark. “The Castle Preservation Society will continue to strive for the highest level of historic preservation, just as we have since taking over the restoration and operation of the property in 2006.”

Click here to learn more about the Lucknow Estate and its history.

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

Grant to Fund “Preservation in Action” on NH Heritage Museum Trail

From left – LCHIP Board Chair Richard Lewis, Gov. Chris Sununu, AIM Board President Joe Pace, LCHIP Executive Director Paula Bellemore. Photo credit – Joe Klementovich

The American Independence Museum (AIM), a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, has been awarded a $170,590 matching grant for a major restoration project to preserve the historic Ladd-Gilman House. The grant was awarded by the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).

Trail President Jeff Barraclough expressed gratitude for LCHIP’s contribution to funding the restoration project. “The Ladd-Gilman House is a historically significant structure in the state,” he said. “This grant will help preserve history and bring awareness to other historic buildings and sites on The Trail.”

Built in 1721 by Nathaniel Ladd as one of the state’s first brick houses, AIM’s Ladd-Gilman House was purchased in 1747 by Daniel Gilman, a prominent Exeter merchant. The Ladd-Gilman House served as the state treasury during the Revolutionary War when two members of the Gilman family, Col. Nicholas Gilman and his son John Taylor Gilman, later the state’s governor, served as state treasurer. The house was also the birthplace of Nicholas Gilman, Jr., a signer of the United States Constitution and a U.S. senator.

“This project is vital for the longevity of the Ladd-Gilman House,” said AIM Interim Executive Director Jennifer Carr. “It ensures that the house is not only visually beautiful for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 but is well preserved for future generations.”

According to Carr, preservation work will include window restoration, foundation repair, structural work, repairs to doors, jambs, and thresholds, asbestos abatement, and exterior work on damaged clapboards and paint. “I love that we are able to show guests what historic preservation really looks like,” Carr added. “Preservation is part of our mission, but people rarely see all that is involved in keeping centuries-old buildings standing. This project is a wonderful opportunity for guests to see preservation in action.”

Per LCHIP grant guidelines, AIM is required to match each dollar plus at least one additional dollar to fund the project.

Carr noted that people can expect to see exterior renovation work over the next two years.
“As we move toward the nation’s Semiquincentennial, there is an increased opportunity to bring attention to the need to preserve places with ties to the American Revolution,” she said. “This generous grant allows us to do just that.”

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

A Hidden Gem on the NH Heritage Museum Trail

Hearthside dinner

Perhaps most well known for the White Mountains, the Granite State features a unique museum attraction known as the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail that is expected to attract 250,000 visitors in 2018.

Comprised of 17 museums divided into three branches–Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and the Lakes Region–The Trail is becoming a tourist destination, according to Mike Culver, its president.

“We have some incredible museums on The Trail, each covering aspects of New Hampshire history,” he said. “These aspects sometimes overlap, but each museum approaches it from a different perspective with an emphasis on making history relevant and fun to people of all ages.”

Located in Tamworth, about 15 minutes north of Wolfeboro, Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm is the only country doctor museum in New England and one of only three in the United States.

“We provide year-round opportunities for visitors to engage with rural New England history, including the important contributions once made by country doctors, and present-day agricultural practices,” said Dawne Gilpatrick of the museum. “We do this through activities, tours, workshops, farm-to-table meals, educational programming and seasonal events.”

Set on a historical working farm, the museum property, barns, and buildings are “an explorers’ dream.”

“Visitors can wander the homestead grounds and interact with farm animals at their own pace and to their hearts’ content,” she added. “Exploration space includes many indoor and outdoor locations.”

Upcoming events at Remick include final sessions on November 2 in two separate “Field & Forest” programs.

In “Outdoor Walk—Plant ID,” participants will learn to recognize the abundance of useful, interesting, edible or medicinal plants on Remick grounds. In “Foragers Gathering,” participants will harvest wild, edible plants and then pair them with cultivated ingredients to create a nourishing food item.

On November 17, Remick’s Hearthside Dinner season begins and runs through March. In this series, costumed museum interpreters take guests “back in time” to learn about 19th-century kitchens and food preparation, seasonal farming practices and foods, and historic cooking recipes and tools. Guests assist in preparing, cooking, roasting and baking foods in an open hearth with traditional tools before sitting down together to enjoy the fruits of their combined labor.

According to Gilpatrick, Remick and The Trail itself are important cultural assets to the state.

“We are providing experiences that not only enlighten visitors but educate them,” she said. “Museums are vibrant centers of the community.”

Culver agrees and added, “250,000 visitors each year can’t be wrong. We hope more people right here in NH can come see what many out-of-state visitors already know about The Trail–it’s fun.”

To learn more about Remick, or any upcoming event there, visit remickmuseum.org.

In total, 17 museums make up the NH Heritage Museum Trail. Stops on The Trail include Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

A deeper look at NH history on the NH Heritage Museum Trail

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For a small state, a lot of important things have happened in New Hampshire, much of which is captured in the collections and exhibits at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord.

One of 17 museums on The Trail, the Society holds the largest collection related to the history of the Granite State with more than 3 million objects, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, and more. In commenting on what makes NH history so remarkable, Elizabeth Dubrulle, director of education and public programs at the Society, began with colonial history.

“During the colonial era, NH was renowned for providing thousands of mast pine trees for the British navy,” she said. “These trees helped the British navy expand to one of the largest in the world and allowed Britain to cultivate a vast overseas empire that stretched across the globe.
By the time of the American Revolution, however, she noted colonists no longer wanted to provide trees for the British, which led to the Pine Tree Riot of 1772.

“Locals in Weare refused to surrender their trees to the Crown and drove out of town the provincial official sent to claim the trees,” she explained. “In most of the Merrimack Valley, the controversy over pine trees was a local cause that made the American Revolution real for many people in NH.”Dubrulle also cited other colonial points of facts about NH, some of which include:

  • Two-thirds of the American force at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 were from New Hampshire. Although the British eventually won that battle, the outnumbered American force had inflicted so many casualties that a British general commented, “One more such victory will cost us the war.”
  • NH men also predominated in the Battle of Bennington of August 1777, which led directly to a major British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga two months later.

She also cited other NH facts and milestones, including:

  • The first intercollegiate sporting event in American history occurred on Lake Winnipesaukee in the 1850s when Harvard beat Yale in a crew competition.
  • NH saw the establishment of the first summer camps for kids starting in the 1880s. The idea was that city kids could spend a week or more every summer at a NH camp so they could get a taste of the “great outdoors.” The camp movement eventually spread to all over the United States.
  • NH had the first abolitionist senator with John Parker Hale of Dover, who after 1846 spent his career arguing against slavery, which was legal in NH until 1857.
  • The White Mountains inspired generations of artists and fueled a movement to establish state forests that would protect America’s scenic landscapes when the Weeks Act was passed in 1911. White Mountain art is considered one of the leading schools of 19th-century American art. When a British artist returned to England after a visit to the White Mountains and exhibited his painting of NH in the fall to Queen Victoria, she refused to believe that the trees could be so colorful. Luckily, he had brought back some fall leaves from NH trees to prove it to her.

For Dubrulle, though, there are compelling reasons for the study of history that go beyond facts and dates that she said underscores the importance of all member institutions on The Trail.

“Understanding how and why we got where we are today is essential to moving forward productively as a society,” she said. “A solid education in history gives people the critical insight they need to make good decisions about today.”

“The problems our ancestors faced are remarkably similar to the problems we still have today–immigration, jobs, poverty, a changing economy, clashing cultures, even substance abuse,” she added. “How did they cope with them, and what can we learn from them?”

In digging deeper into history and ourselves, she said we take a first step toward fact-based decision making, which provides both context and perspective. She said we also learn to take pride in the Granite State.

“NH has made a very significant impact on American history, and we should take note of that,” she said. “What happens here and what the people of the Granite State do has mattered.”

At the Society, two long-term exhibitions help tell a portion of NH’s story with “White Mountains in the Parlor” and “Discovering New Hampshire.” The former exhibit showcases some of the best White Mountain art in the world, while the latter features iconic objects from the state’s history.

In addition, a third short-term exhibit changes annually. This fall marks the final months to see “Making the World Safe for Democracy,” which uses dramatic posters of World War I to highlight how the people of New Hampshire participated in the Great War. The final day of the exhibit is Saturday, November 10 when the Society hosts Brandeis scholar Daniel Breen, who will speak about George Dilboy, the only NH recipient of the Medal of Honor during the First World War.

For Dubrulle, the diverse collections and exhibits at the Society underscore what people can discover at all museums on The Trail.
“At any given member institution on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, visitors are apt to encounter exhibits on art, war, and themes that touch on the urban landscape, agriculture and more,” she said.

She said even traveling between museums on The Trail offers people a chance to see why the New Hampshire landscape is so important to the people who live here. “We have everything from rugged seascapes to towering mountains, farms, riverbeds, gorges, lakes, and rock formations–we have it all on The Trail,” she said.

In total, 17 museums make up the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which is broken down into three branches: Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lake Region. Stops on The Trail include Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.