New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Welcomes Erin Hammerstedt

Erin Hammerstedt, Executive Director of Canterbury Shaker Village

In September, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail welcomed Erin Hammerstedt as the new Executive Director of Canterbury Shaker Village. A longtime member institution of the Trail, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and four reconstructed Shaker buildings.

“We are honored to welcome Erin,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “She brings a wealth of historic preservation experience that is truly unmatched. Erin is an asset not only to Canterbury Shaker Village but to the entire Trail.”

Hammerstedt most recently served as Director of Historic Harrisville, Inc., a local nonprofit that rehabilitates historic buildings in the mill town of Harrisville, New Hampshire. She holds a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation and has worked in multiple nonprofit roles involving the preservation and use of historic structures. She has also worked as a consultant on public projects that include historic resources and as a staff member for a historic district commission.

“I am a firm believer in the importance of authenticity,” said Hammerstedt. “Materials can be made to look like things, but they are not the real thing. Here, at Canterbury Shaker Village, things are as real as they get.”

During her first year as Executive Director, Hammerstedt said she plans to “learn as much as [she] can about the place and the things that have happened [there] from its origination to the present.” “I want to make sure we retain its important essence while allowing it to live on well into the future,” she added.

Describing the Village as “magical,” Hammerstedt said she was drawn to the combination of Shaker quality and Shaker story as well as “the amazing” staff already in place. “I am honored to be part of this amazing team in this truly one-of-a-kind place,” she noted.

Click here to learn more about Canterbury Shaker Village, including its ongoing celebration, Commemorating 250 Years: Shakerism in America. In addition to Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, member institutions on The Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

Students “Take Flight” on New Hampshire Heritage Trail

Students visiting the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire stand in front of a plane at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, is ramping up student excitement about airplanes and aviation careers through hands-on programming and experiences.

“The largest manufacturing export in New Hampshire is aviation and aerospace, and there is currently a shortage of trained professionals in all parts of aviation,” said Jeff Rapsis, Executive Director of the Aviation Museum. “We want to inspire young people to consider these careers.”

Located along Runway 17-35, the longest at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, the Aviation Museum offers guests the opportunity to watch planes take off from the parking lot year-round. Inside the museum, visitors can experience rotating exhibits and artifacts related to the Granite State’s flying history.

For Trail President Jeff Barraclough, the Aviation Museum has the potential to impact the future of aviation in New Hampshire. “Students step into this museum and are able to imagine being a pilot or an engineer or a ground controller,” he said. “It’s a unique opportunity to get people thinking about their future careers at an early age.”

According to Rapsis, their programs are directed toward very young children through high school age students. Featuring toy planes, Legos, and coloring activities available for younger children, older kids get the chance to participate in hands-on aviation activities, such as piloting an aircraft in a professional-grade flight simulator.

“It mimics the exact experience of flight,” added Rapsis. “It really allows students to step into aviation.”

Student on a flight simulator

Student using a flight simulator

In Manchester, Lebanon, and Farmington high schools, the Aviation Museum also offers a program where students build a functional, full-size, two-seat airplane over a two-year period. “This allows students to garner real-world experience working directly on an aircraft,” Rapsis explained.

The Aviation Museum currently has an exhibit open that explores early board games related to flight. In the fall, the museum will offer several game nights. “These games show the public’s early fascination with flight,” said Rapsis.

Other offerings include a Halloween event during which young people in costume will go to “ground school” and meet the ghosts of aviation past in order to obtain a “broomstick pilots license” on Saturday, October 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Weather-permitting, on Saturday, December 14 at 11:00 a.m. Santa Claus will arrive at the Aviation Museum by helicopter to meet fans.

The Aviation Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more about upcoming events, programs, and activities, visit aviationmuseumofnh.org.

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

New Exhibits and Lecture Series on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

The Museum of the White Mountains, located at Plymouth State University

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail member, the Museum of the White Mountains (MWM), will feature their summer exhibition, Of Baskets and Borers: The Past, Present, and Future of the White Mountains, until Saturday, September 14.

“The exhibition explores Indigenous basketry in the White Mountains region,” said MWM Assistant Director Kala Brzezinski. “We will be examining the intersection between Indigenous basketry, brown ash trees, and the Emerald Ash Borer.”

MWM will also host an ongoing summer lecture series and connected events that relate to themes in the featured exhibition. The next lecture, Throwaway Society: Culture and Consumerism in Ed Rossbach’s Basketry, will take place on Thursday, August 22 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be an Ash Tour at the White Mountain National Forest on Thursday, August 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On September 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. MWM will host The State of the Clean Energy Transition with Sam Evans-Brown and there will be a Basket Making Demonstration with Annette Nolett on Saturday, September 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. as part of the exhibit’s closing celebration.

Trail President, Jeff Barraclough expressed excitement over MWM’s summer exhibition. “This is an opportunity to really learn about our interconnectedness to place and space in New Hampshire, which is something we want to highlight on The Trail,” he said.

According to Brzezinski, MWM is also preparing for exhibits that will be on display this fall. In the Path of Totality will focus on the recent eclipse, and Echoes of Resilience: Unveiling Stories of Devastation, Survival, and Hope will explore the earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey in February, 2023. In the summer of 2025, MWM will host Crossroads: Change in Rural America as part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition.

“The White Mountains region is an ever-changing, ecologically diverse, economically and socially evolving area with rich artistic and cultural histories,” said Brzezinski. “As an institution, we strive to be as dynamic and evolving as the place whose stories we aim to exhibit and amplify.”

Click here for more information about the Museum of the White Mountains, including more information about exhibits, speakers, and events. In addition to the Museum of the White Mountains in Plymouth, member institutions on The Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail To Feature Hot Rods in August

Antique cars on display at New England Racing Museum

On Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the New England Racing Museum, member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, will host Hot Rods, Muscle and More Car Show. Presented by Shea Concrete Products, the annual event will feature more than 250 vehicles with proceeds to support the mission of the New England Racing Museum.

“Our mission is to discover, preserve and educate the public on the history of New England motor racing,” said Thomas Netishen, executive director. “This show is a fun way for the public to learn more about us and the region’s rich motor racing history.”

In total, the museum will award 20 trophies, including the Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy. Winners of this award receive a complimentary brick that will be permanently placed in the museum’s tribute wall. Winners are also invited to take a picture inside the museum with their winning car, or truck, at the conclusion of the show with the Parker-Coraine trophy.

According to Netishen, the Best of Show Trophy is named after Ted Parker and Gil Coraine, each of whom have contributed extensively to the museum’s success. This year’s award, however, will have special significance.

“After a period of declining health, Gil passed away in February of this year,” added Netishen. “Gil was a local drag racing pioneer and former museum board member—he will be missed.”

Hot rod

Over 250 vehicles will be on display

Along with the car show, visitors will be invited to enjoy and explore New England motor racing history at more than 30 historical race car and motorcycle exhibits inside the museum. Visitors can also test their skills on an iRacing rig and four-lane electric slot car track.

The show will also feature a 50/50 raffle and an onsite food truck. “Whether you are a fan of racing or not, the event is always a fun time with family and friends,” said Netishen.

The cost to enter a vehicle into the show is $20, which includes one passenger and two free tickets to view the museum that day of the show. The cost for spectators is $5 per person with kids under 12 admitted free. To learn more, visit NERmuseum.com.

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

Guests go ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Sherburne House (1695) at Strawbery Banke Museum courtesy of David J. Murray

Strawbery Banke Museum, a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, is offering guests behind-the-scenes guided tours that explore early maritime history in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October.

Tour groups will pass into a historic maritime trade hub, the Puddle Dock neighborhood, and will gain “exclusive access” to the Sherburne House (1695) and the Chase House (1762).

“These tours are really exciting,” said Strawbery Banke Museum Executive Director Linnea Grim. “We want guests to step into the past, literally, in a neighborhood that shaped the region’s history.”

Lasting approximately an hour, the tours invite guests to pass behind museum barriers and handle reproduction objects. There will also be time to ask questions. “It’s an opportunity for guests to interact with over 300 years of history, while enjoying our vibrant campus,” Grim added.

For New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trial President Jeff Barraclough, it’s an innovative idea. “These tours are exactly the kind of immersive experiences that get people interested in history,” he said. “This is an excellent addition to The Trail.”

This year Strawbery Banke Museum was recognized as one of the top ten best open air museums in the country by USA Today. Grim noted that they have recently expanded exhibits on Abenaki history and sea level rise, are hosting the New England BIPOC Fest on Sunday, August 18, and holding their 36th annual Vintage and Vine event on Thursday, September 12.

“We’re excited to welcome lots of guests this summer and fall,” she said.

A daily admissions ticket for Strawbery Banke Museum is required to attend this tour. Tickets for behind-the-scenes guided tours are an additional $20 and can be purchased at strawberybanke.org.

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