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Plenty to do in Portsmouth on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Featuring nearly two-dozen museums in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail offers plenty to do in Portsmouth, one of its major hubs. “Portsmouth is not just a gateway for many visitors to The Trail, but the entire state,” said Jeff Barraclough, president of the group and also executive director of founding member, Millyard Museum, in Manchester.

Emma Stratton, executive director of the Portsmouth Historical Society, agreed and said many visitors are actively looking for suggestions on what to do. “You could spend a week in Portsmouth and still not be finished, but then you have the entire Trail to explore,” she said.

Formed in 2014 to share resources and better promote their programs, exhibits, and events, The Trail includes museums on the Seacoast and in Merrimack Valley and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

Regarding what is happening now in Portsmouth on The Trail, Stratton expressed excitement in the recent opening of their exhibit, entitled ‘Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books.’ A collection of more than 100 illustrations for children’s picture books, the exhibit represents a “who’s who” of New England illustrators—from Hans and Margret Rey (Curious George) and Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel) to contemporary artists.

“The exhibit also includes reflections on diversity and inclusion in addition to creative reading, craft and play areas, and a ‘Journey Box’ initiative that will go to local schools, libraries, and underserved families,” she said.

At nearby Strawbery Banke Museum, self-guided tours of the 10-acre campus, including the historic buildings and heirloom gardens, are available daily from May 1 to October 31. Strawbery Banke also features their popular Tuesdays on the Terrace, a music series that features regional talent every Tuesday through September 13 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

“This season, visitors to Strawbery Banke can also explore the Water has a Memory: Preserving Strawbery Banke and Portsmouth from Sea Level Rise exhibit,” said Lawrence J.

Water Has Memory Exhibit

Yerdon, President and CEO. “This exhibit teaches how the Museum and its partners are addressing the impacts of sea level rise on the historic houses.”In addition to Portsmouth Historical Society and Strawbery Banke, museums on The Trail in Portsmouth include Albacore Park and The Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden. Located just minutes from Portsmouth, other museums in the seacoast branch of the Trail include the American Independence Museum (Exeter) and the Woodman Museum (Dover).

“The Trail might begin on the Seacoast, but it does not end there,” noted Barraclough, who said they offer a Passport program, which provides buyers with one free admission ticket to each member museum at a discount.

Sponsored by Bank of New Hampshire, passports ($150 value) are available for purchase at each participating museum for just $25. The Passport includes brief summaries of the museums, organized by location and category, that may be stamped upon entry.

Founded in 1917, Portsmouth Historical Society is devoted to championing the history, arts, and culture of the Portsmouth region through acquisitions, preservation, museum exhibitions, programs, and publications. To learn more about the Portsmouth Historical Society, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Puts a Spotlight on John Paul Jones

On Saturday, July 10, the Portsmouth Historical Society on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail will host its annual John Paul Jones Birthday Party at the John Paul Jones House. Featuring free admission, the event takes place from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will include house tours, live entertainment , refreshments, and family-friendly activities.

An important ship captain in the American Revolution, Jones is considered the founder of the U.S. Navy, although he was largely overlooked in the 19th century. “It is incredible how our interest in him continues to grow over time,” said Emma Stratton, executive director of the Portsmouth Historical Society.

This interest is captured in a new exhibit at Portsmouth Historical Society, entitled ‘Captain, Celebrity, Cliché: The James C. and Judith R. Bradford Collection of John Paul Jones Memorabilia.’ A collection of some three hundred collectibles of diverse kinds related to Jones (1747–1792), individual objects date from the mid to late twentieth century, reflecting years of collecting such material by the donors.

“Dr. James Bradford is a distinguished naval historian who has edited the papers of Jones and collected various examples of Jones’s popularity in modern culture,” explained Stratton. “We are thrilled to host this exhibit.”

Much of the Bradford Collection will be on view this summer at the John Paul Jones House, where the naval hero purportedly rented a room during his visits to Portsmouth in 1777 and 1781.

Founded in 1917, Portsmouth Historical Society is devoted to championing the history, arts, and culture of the Portsmouth region through acquisitions, preservation, museum exhibitions, programs, and publications. To learn more about the Portsmouth Historical Society, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail To Feature Music This Summer

Featuring nearly two-dozen museums in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast, the New Hampshire Heritage Trail has become known for its diversity in programming, including its penchant for music. “There is nothing quite like a live music performance with a museum of regional, or possibly, national significance serving as backdrop amidst beautiful scenery,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough.

Two examples of The Trail’s emphasis on music can be found at Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury and Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth.

Taking place every Sunday, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., through September 11, Canterbury Shaker Village presents Music on the Green, each week providing a different style of music from a different genre. Upcoming concerts in July include the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio (July 3), The Wholly Rollers (July 10), River Sister (July 17), The Mink Hills Band (July 24), and Jim Dozet Duo (July 31). The concerts are free, but donations are encouraged.

Music on the Green at Canterbury Shaker Village

“Music was very important to the Shakers, which is why this series is both fun and mission-driven,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director of Canterbury Shaker Village. “The Shakers were known to participate in long sessions of singing and dancing. “ To learn more about Music on the Green, or Canterbury Shaker Village, which interprets Shaker life through guided tours, exhibits, buildings, gardens, and programs, visit shakers.org.

At Strawbery Banke Museum, Tuesdays on the Terrace take place every Tuesday through September 13 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Upcoming July performances include “Kids Music and Magic Night” with Sages Entertainment and Mr. Aaron (July 5), Ben Baldwin & Kent Allyn (July 12), “Chorus Night” with Sounds of the Seacoast and Portsmouth Pro Musica (July 19), and Sharon Jones (July 26). Admission per concert is $5 and free for members and children under 3.

“The outdoor concert series is a wonderful addition to the slate of Strawbery Banke events and showcases the talent of accomplished musical acts from the Seacoast area,” noted President and CEO Lawrence J. Yerdon.

Located on 10 acres, Strawbery Banke Museum interprets more than 300 years of history through historical houses on their original foundations, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and costumed roleplayers who share the stories of the families who lived in the authentic waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock. To learn more about Tuesdays on the Terrace, or Strawbery Banke Museum, visit strawberybanke.org.

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

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail To Feature Some Muscle

On Saturday, June 25, NH Muscle Cars’ 4th Annual NH “Muscle at the Museum” car show will take place at the newly named, New England Racing Museum, formerly known as North East Motor Sports Museum.

“We are excited to welcome back NH Muscle Cars for the fourth year in a row, as their professional, organized and unique club events make them an ideal partner for our motor minded audience at the museum.” said Thomas Netishen, executive director.

At the event, which begins at 10 a.m., more than 300 muscle, classic and American made cars and trucks will be on display. “23 custom steel NH Muscle Cars trophies for the winners of each show category,” noted Philip Manro, founder of NH Muscle Cars Club, who expressed enthusiasm for the ‘cruise’ that leads up to the event.

“Our popular ‘cruise to the show’ departs from the old KMart parking lot in Hooksett at 9 a.m. and goes to the museum, giving cruise participants early access to the show,” he added. “Show car participants will also receive 2 free tickets to access the museum.”

Additional event highlights include a 50/50 raffle, official NH Muscle Car clothing and merchandise, vendors and two onsite food trucks. “While at the show, we also encourage visitors to stop inside the museum to see our new 2022 exhibits and test drive our iRacing simulator and slot car track with friends and family,” added Netishen.

Entry as a spectator to the car show is $5 for adults and free for kids, 12 and under. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit New England Racing Museum. To purchase tickets in advance, click this link. To learn more about New England Racing Museum, visit nemsmuseum.com.

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

New Exhibit Opens on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Now through September 30, the Millyard Museum in Manchester will present the exhibit, The People’s Sculptor: The Life and Works of John Rogers. A talented artist and successful businessman whose statuary “groups” were very popular in the late nineteenth century, Rogers (1829 – 1904) was known as “The People’s Sculptor.”

“He was the first American sculptor to mass produce his work,” said Jeff Barraclough, executive director of the Millyard Museum, one of more than 20 museums on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “He sold as many as 80,000 sculptures during his lifetime and effectively brought the art of sculpture to the American middle class.”

Rogers got his start as a sculptor in Manchester while working as a mechanic in the machine shop of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company from 1850 to 1856. In his free time, he began to model with clay he found near the Merrimack River in Hooksett, which led to his career as a sculptor. Towards the end of his career, he gave one of his finest works, a seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, to the City of Manchester as a gift.

“This exhibit celebrates Rogers and his art and the important influence Manchester had in his life,” said Barraclough, who is also president of The Trail.

To learn more about the exhibit, visit manchesterhistoric.org.

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