Military Gallery of the Wright Museum of WWII in Wolfeboro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum’s 24th annual Pow Wow

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum’s 24th annual Pow Wow drew more than 2,000 guests and over 250 participants this year, making the event one of New England’s largest Indigenous celebrations.

“Pow Wows are Native gatherings to celebrate Indigenous communities,” said Executive Director Andrew Bullock. “These family-friendly events include traditional dance, music, arts, and storytelling. They’re a chance for participants to renew acquaintances, make new friendships, and share culture with the public.”

The 2025 Pow Wow opened with a Grand Entry, followed by Flag and Veterans Songs, and featured specialty dances such as the Jingle Dance, Fancy Dance, Traditional Dance, and Fancy Shawl Dance. The MC guided attendees through the significance of each song and protocol, while vendors displayed pottery, beadwork, basketry, books, and jewelry.

Bullock emphasized the event’s cultural importance. “Traditional skills aren’t taught formally. Rather, youth learn by participating, emulating elders, and listening to storytellers,” he explained. “Pow Wows enable Native people to educate the public, share their views on environmental issues, history, and spiritual practices, and continue vital oral traditions.”

This year’s event included the participation of the Native American Women Warriors Association, who assisted with flag raising and led a panel discussion on supporting Native women in service. “Military veterans are important within the Native community,” Bullock noted. “We were honored to welcome members of this organization and highlight their work.”

The annual Pow Wow has grown over the years, reflecting the museum’s evolving reach. “Our first few Pow Wows had just a handful of participants and about one hundred spectators,” Bullock said. “Now, our Pow Wows now attract 200 to 250 participants from throughout the northeast, and we attract thousands of visitors each year. We also have a very active group of more than 50 volunteers.”

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is open seven days a week through Saturday, November 1, with galleries featuring collections from across North America. This summer, visitors can explore the new exhibit, “The Sights and Sounds of Pow Wow,” which showcases contemporary Native regalia, drums, and music. Special events include live demonstrations and the Harvest Moon celebration on Sunday, September 28, featuring traditional foods, arts, and games.

“There are no Federal Indian reservations in the state,” Bullock said. “Without a land-base or state recognition, Pow Wows like ours provide a vital gathering space for Native people to dance, share ideas, and educate the public. We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience these traditions.”

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is dedicated to connecting people of all backgrounds with Native American history, culture, and art in Warner, NH. For more information on upcoming events, visit indianmuseum.org.

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

The entrance at New Hampshire Boat Museum in Moultonborough

A single ticket is opening doors to New Hampshire’s history, art, and culture, as the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail’s Passport Program provides residents and visitors with access to nearly two-dozen museums.

According to Jeff Baraclough, Trail President, the Passport attracts thousands of locals and tourists eager “to discover museums they might not otherwise visit.” “It encourages people to experience the full range of what New Hampshire’s museums have to offer,” he explained. “From small local collections to major cultural institutions we have a rich and diverse array of institutions on The Trail.”

Available for $30 at participating museums across the state, the Passport grants free admission to each of the 22 Trail institutions throughout the year. The program is designed to encourage exploration, with each passport including summaries of the museums and a spot for a commemorative stamp at every stop.

“The Trail passport is like a gateway,” said Jenn Walton, Assistant Director of Education and Public Programs at the New Hampshire Historical Society. “There are so many different types of organizations represented—history, art, architecture, sports—there is something for everyone.”

Devon Kurtz, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum, said the Passport connects the state’s unique history and culture. “The museums on the Trail not only complement each other, they build off each other and tell a more complete story,” he added.

Click here for more information about the Passport Program and participating museums.

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

The New England Ski Museum in Franconia Notch State Park

Founded in 1977 in Franconia and expanded to North Conway in 2018, the Ski Museum documents the history of skiing and snowboarding in New England and beyond. Highlighting both permanent and rotating content, exhibits range from Olympic memorabilia to design elements in ski culture.

Executive Director Andrea Masters, who stepped into the role in 2024, said the Ski Museum is enthusiastic about joining the Trail. “We’re very excited,” she said. “This is why we all live and work in New Hampshire—we like rural life and smaller communities.”

Noting that the majority of museums on the Trail are “smaller,” she said their membership is “a chance to stick together.” “We can pool our resources—intellectual and financial—for joint outreach,” she added.

Regarding what people can expect at the Ski Museum, Masters cited new exhibits, one of which just opened in Franconia that focuses on the rapid growth of ski resorts in the 1950s and ’60s. A corresponding exhibit in North Conway—opening in July—will feature the evolution of ski area logos.

“We also have a current exhibit in North Conway on Slim Aarons, who was a very famous photographer in Hollywood,” she explained. “He also did photography ski photos and winter shots, so we are exhibiting those at the moment.”

In looking to the future, Masters expressed enthusiasm, citing a new website in development and a long-term goal to digitize their collection. Featuring more than 3,000 books, 3,468 reels of ski film, thousands of photographs and posters, and historic scrapbooks, the collection also includes personal memorabilia from the 1936 U.S. women’s Olympic ski team.

“We want to make our collection accessible to people everywhere,” she added. “It’s a multi-million-dollar project, but we believe it’s worth it.”

To learn more about the Ski Museum, visit skimuseum.org.

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

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.

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.

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.

Students in the Field

“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.