2025 Aviation Museum of New Hampshire Annual Gala

A New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail member, the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, will host its Annual Fundraising Gala on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Manchester Community College.

This year’s theme is historic preservation, with proceeds funding a new exhibit dedicated to longtime museum volunteer Robert “Bob” Fortnam. A WWII aviator and former German prisoner of war, Fortnam shared his firsthand accounts with visitors until his passing in 2017 at age 95.

“It’s easy to see what historic preservation means when you’re talking about an old building,” said Aviation Museum Executive Director Jeff Rapsis. “We hope guests will leave our gala with the understanding that historic preservation extends into the sky. The stories of the pilots who flew planes in World War II could be lost to time, and we are determined not to let that happen.”

The planned exhibit will use video recordings so Fortnam can continue to share his experiences with future visitors.

“He shared his story with countless guests at the Aviation Museum,” Rapsis added. “This exhibit will keep his story alive, and with it, the history of a generation that didn’t have phones or Internet because their lives aren’t documented online. It is up to us to keep this history alive, and Bob’s recordings will do that.”

Featured guest speaker is NH author Howard Mansfield, who will discuss his recently published memoir, ‘I Will Tell No War Stories: What Our Fathers Left Unsaid about World War II.’ The evening will also feature the unveiling of preliminary designs for the Fortnam exhibit, a silent auction with aviation collectibles, plane rides, flight lessons, a raffle, food, and live music.

Jeff Barraclough, President of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, said the Gala reflects a mission shared across every member museum of The Trail.

“Every museum on The Trail is a keeper of stories that would otherwise be lost,” he said. “The Aviation Museum’s work to preserve Bob Fortnam’s story is exactly what The Trail is about — making sure the next generation can still hear these voices, even when the storytellers themselves are gone.”

Tickets are $100 per person, with a table for eight $650 or two tables for $1,200. Aviation Museum volunteers can attend for $75 per ticket. Tickets are available by calling (603) 669-4877 or HERE.

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

Guests at the Pumpkin Walk, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough

“Autumn in New Hampshire has always been a season of story and tradition,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “This year, our member museums are blending the mysterious with the family-friendly in ways you won’t find anywhere else.”

In the Lakes Region, the historic Belknap Mill in Laconia takes center stage during Laconia Pumpkinfest on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, with a weekend brimming with Halloween fun, folklore, and a touch of mystery.

The festivities begin Friday evening with a free Witches’ Ladder Workshop led by folklorist Roxie Zwicker, where participants will craft their own traditional witches’ ladder while unraveling the history and symbolism behind this fascinating 16th-century craft.

On Saturday, visitors can stop by the Mill for free 10-minute pumpkin tarot readings with Zwicker or attend her free Introduction to Tarot Workshop. As twilight falls,visitors can settle in for “Witches Cottage: Witchcraft Tales Outside of Salem” at 6:30 PM, an atmospheric journey through the true stories, folklore, and legends of accused witches throughout New England.

“The stories of accused witches beyond Salem deserve to be told, and there’s no more hauntingly beautiful setting for them than a 19th-century mill,” said Katherine Switala-Elmhurst, Executive Director of Belknap Mill. “Expect chills, but the good kind.”

No Pumpkinfest would be complete without the return of the Pumpkin Festival Duck Derby at 3:00 p.m., where visitors can cheer on their favorite duck as it races down the Winnipesaukee River, with cash prizes for the winners. Proceeds benefit the Laconia Pumpkin Festival and the Belknap Mill.

In the Sunapee Region, the John Hay Estate at the Fells in Newbury hosts its beloved Hay Day Fall Festival on Sunday, October 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., a fun-filled day for all ages featuring old-fashioned games, wagon rides, a petting zoo, and live music. Younger visitors can enjoy children’s art projects, face painting, and ice cream, while adults can browse local vendors and watch beekeeping and crafter demonstrations.

Guests can also explore nature trails, build a fairy house in the Fairy Village, discover the estate’s exhibits and art installations, and more. Food will be available for purchase on site.

“Whether you’re crafting a witches’ ladder by lantern light or enjoying a wagon ride on a crisp October afternoon, The Trail offers a full spectrum of fall experiences this year,” Barraclough added.

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

Guests at the Pumpkin Walk, Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough

This October, museums along the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are offering a full slate of Halloween programming.

“Halloween is one of the busiest and most creative times of year on The Trail,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “Our museums continue to find innovative ways to connect history, education, and seasonal fun in ways that surprise and delight visitors of all ages.”

In the Lakes Region, Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough hosts its annual Pumpkin Walk on Friday, October 16. Trails surrounding Shannon Pond will be transformed into Jack o’ Lantern Lane, lined with glowing pumpkins for a family-friendly, non-scary stroll through the woods.

Costumes are encouraged, and guests can warm up by a fire pit after the walk.

In nearby Tamworth, the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm transforms throughout October with “BOO!” A Family-Friendly Haunting, running Thursdays through Saturdays, October 1–31, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Free activities include a Pumpkin Path, an (un)Lucky #13 Black Cat scavenger hunt, and exhibits exploring the history of Halloween in America.

One of several Halloween exhibits, view decoration styles and entertainment popular in the mid-20th century in Doc and Marion Remick’s Apartment at Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, Tamworth

Throughout October, Remick will also host Haunted History with the Drs. Remick: Eerie Medicine & Spooky Tales, a “physician” guided tour blending medical history with the macabre ($10; $5 for members; ages 16+). On Saturday, October 17, author Ann M. Willett will read and sign her book The Witch Cat (free), and on Saturday, October 24, Marina Biggio will offer Tarot Card Reading Sessions ($35 per 15-minute session).

In the Merrimack Valley on Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 p.m the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord presents All Manner of Evil: An Introduction to the Real H. H. Holmes with local author Averee Kelly Clark.

At the event, Clark will unmask one of the 19th century’s most ruthless killers, born and raised in Gilmanton, NH, whose crime spree ranged from Texas to Toronto. Copies of Clark’s novel will be available for sale and signing.

Admission is free for Society members and $10 for nonmembers. Learn more about events here.

“Whether you’re looking for a spooky night out with the kids or a deeper dive into New Hampshire’s darker corners of history, there’s something happening on the Trail this October,” Barraclough added.

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

Ghosts on the Banke at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth

At Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, families can step into Ghosts on the Banke: A Family-Friendly Halloween on October 16–17 and 23–24. Guests will trick-or-treat through the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood, where costumed roleplayers, decorated historic houses, and Halloween activities bring the past to life after dark. New this year, ghostly projections will also appear on select historic buildings.

For those seeking a more historical Halloween experience, the Portsmouth Historical Society offers 90-minute guided Cemetery Tours every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in October from 4:00–5:30 p.m. Tours of North Cemetery and Point of Graves explore the people who shaped Portsmouth and the changing ways the community has understood death, mourning, and remembrance. Visitors will also learn how to “read” a gravestone—from symbols and inscriptions to imagery reflecting evolving attitudes toward the afterlife.

“Portsmouth’s cemeteries hold over 300 years of history, stretching back to before this nation’s founding,” said Karen Bailey, Visitor Services Manager at Portsmouth Historical Society. “Our tours help people discover the stories hiding in plain sight among the gravestones.”

Portsmouth Historical Society Cemetery Tour

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

Beer for History at the American Independence Museum

Beer for History is returning to the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail on Thursdays this fall at historic Folsom Tavern (c. 1775) at the American Independence Center. Seven Beer for History programs, running from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will take place between September 10 and December 3, paired with historic presentations.

American Independence Center (AIC) Executive Director Joe Pace said the program, now in its tenth year, has become a way to connect people with history in an informal setting. “It’s a way to showcase the historic Folsom Tavern, engage the community in compelling historic topics, and have some fun,” he said.

This year’s series includes presentations on taverns, maritime history, weapons, wine, the Continental Marines, alcohol during the Revolution, and Washington’s crossing of the Delaware.

According to Pace, the 2026 season is expanded to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary. “We’re excited to expand the program during this year of America’s 250th celebration,” he said. “We’ve launched the Tankard Club this year, where patrons can secure a season’s pass to all seven events for $250 — and we’ll also hang a metal tankard in their name at the Tavern for use at events.”

The 2026 schedule begins Sept. 10 with “A Time of Taverns,” featuring Northeastern professor Malcolm Purinton and Exeter Brewing Company. On Sept. 24, author Eric Jay Dolin will present “Nautical Narrations” with Czar’s Brewery.

The Oct. 8 program, “Swordplay!” will focus on sharp, pointy weapons with re-enactor Anne Kraemer. The brewery partner is still to be announced. On Oct. 22, the series shifts to “Wine for History” with Vino e Vivo and its sommelier.

The Nov. 5 event, “The Continental Marines,” will feature Richard Tucker and Fat Hen Brewing Company. On Nov. 19, author Brooke Barbier will present “Cocked and Boozy,” a program about alcohol and the Revolution, with Samuel Adams.

The season concludes Dec. 3 with “Washington’s Crossing,” presented by AIC Curator Kali Kraemer. The brewery partner is still to be announced.

According to Pace, the appeal of Beer for History is its mix of setting, subject matter, and audience participation. “Beer for History is a chance for the public to visit campus to sample great brews, learn more about the Center, and engage with historic topics in a friendly, interactive environment with excellent presenters,” he said.

He pointed to a 2025 program as an example of how the series brings history to life. “World-class chocolate maker Enna Grazier spoke on chocolate at the time of the Revolution, and guests were able to sample hot chocolate as George and Martha Washington liked it,” he said. “When history is interactive and enjoyable, people tend to want more of it — and we’re happy to indulge them.”

Tickets are $25 per program and take place at Folsom Tavern, One Governors Lane, Exeter. The Tankard Club season pass is $250 and includes admission to all seven 2026 events and a personal tankard hanging in the Folsom Tavern kitchen.

AIC is one of nearly two dozen museums on the NH Heritage Museum Trail, with locations in the Seacoast, Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, and Merrimack Valley.

Matthew Sedutto working on the Scouting Exhibit at the Wright Museum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trolley at the Lucknow Mansion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Cousins Apartment exhibition at Strawbery Banke Museum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Visitor Center at The Rocks

As the 2026 season approaches, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail (The Trail) is preparing for its most ambitious year. With the addition of several prominent historic sites and the continuation of its statewide storytelling initiative, The Trail is positioning itself as “the gateway” to the Granite State’s rich cultural legacy.

“2026 is going to be a truly wonderful year for our visitors,” said Jeff Barraclough, President of the NH Heritage Museum Trail. “With the addition of incredible sites like The Rocks in Bethlehem and the John Hay Estate at the Fells, our Trail is more diverse and vibrant than ever.”

He said he is especially excited to share the final chapters of their “25 Stories for 250 Years” project, as many members formally celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. Launched in late 2024, this initiative features monthly stories from every member museum, highlighting the diverse people and events that have shaped New Hampshire.

“It’s about more than just dates in a book—it’s about the authentic, living history that you can still touch and feel right here in New Hampshire,” he added.

The Trail also continues to grow, recently welcoming three significant institutions to its network. In early 2026, the Enfield Shaker Museum, known for its remarkably preserved Shaker architecture, and the John Hay Estate at the Fells in Newbury, a stunning historic summer estate, joined The Trail. They were preceded by The Rocks in Bethlehem, a historic property managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

“With the nation’s 250th anniversary this year, 2026 is going to be our best year yet,” said Barraclough. “The Trail features something for people of all ages—visit us.”

The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail features members in the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.