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.