NH Heritage Museum Trail - New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Hot Rods and ‘Light’ Highlight Upcoming Events on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

On Saturday, August 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the New England Racing Museum will host the Hot Rods, Muscle and More Car Show, presented by Shea Concrete Products. Accepting all makes, models, and years, the show will feature more than 150 vehicles with proceeds to support the mission of the New England Racing Museum.

“Everything we do is meant to preserve and educate the public on the history of New England motor racing,” said Thomas Netishen, executive director. “This show is a wonderful and fun way for the public to have a great time and learn more about us and the region’s rich motor racing history.”

In total, the museum will award 21 trophies, including the Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy. “Ted Parker and Gil Coraine are a big part of the museum’s success, so we are thrilled we can honor them in this way each year,” added Netishen.

One highlight of the show is the ‘Coolest Sounding’ vehicle runoff competition, which takes place at 1:00 p.m. In addition to a 50/50 raffle, visitors are invited to explore the history of regional motor racing with more than 30 historical race car and motorcycle exhibits inside New England Racing Museum as well as test their skills on its iRacing and four lane electric slot car track.

“We look forward to welcoming supporting car owners and spectators of all ages to our annual car show fundraiser for a day of family fun,” said Netishen.

The cost to enter a vehicle into the show is $20, which includes two free tickets to 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 nemsmuseum.com.

In nearby Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, visitors have the unique opportunity to explore several of its historic 18th century structures with protective UV filters removed from the windows. This opportunity is made possible through “Let There Be Light: Natural Illumination,” one of several new ‘By Appointment Only’ Tours.

“With these filters removed, visitors can experience the inside of these buildings in lovely natural light like the Shakers themselves,” said Executive Director Leslie Nolan. “It is an incredible experience.”

“Let There Be Light” takes place on Fridays, August 19, September 16, and October 21. Other ‘By Appointment Only’ Tours include “Elders & Eldresses: Shaker Leadership” and “Music & Movement: Shaker Song & Dance.”

Established in 1792, Canterbury Shaker Village is one of the oldest, most typical and completely preserved of the Shaker Villages. Subscribing to a revolutionary Christianity that shocked their contemporaries, the Shakers challenged nearly every mainstream ideal of American society. “These appointment-only tours provide a rare glimpse into Shakers life,” added Nolan.

To make an appointment, or learn more about the Village, visit shakers.org

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

‘Gala’ and ‘Excursion’ Highlight Upcoming Events on NH Heritage Museum Trail

In the Lakes Region portion of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, two special events take place in August.

In Moultonborough on Friday, August 19 from 5:30 p.m., Castle in the Clouds will host Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala, which will feature authentic New Orleans jazz, cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live auction with unique Castle experiences. Proceeds from the event will benefit the restoration and rehabilitation of Maple Lodge, a gatehouse that welcomes visitors to the property at the top of Ossipee Park Road.

“This building will become the permanent home of our library of archival documents and will provide substantial multi-use space and offices for our education team, “ noted Charles Clark, executive director of the Castle Preservation Society.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Castle in the Clouds is operated by nonprofit Castle Preservation Society. Its mission is to preserve, interpret, and share the buildings and landscape of Castle in the Clouds as a cultural and educational resource for the benefit of the public.

To learn more about Castle in the Clouds, or Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala, visit castleintheclouds.org.

Vintage Voyage Boat Excursion this August

In nearby Paugus Bay, Lake Winnipesaukee on Wednesday, August 17, the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) will take guests on the first of two Vintage Voyage Boat Excursions. Vintage Voyage I on August 17 leaves the The Naswa Resort in Laconia, while Vintage Voyage II leaves Wolfeboro town docks (Thursday, September 15).

Vintage Voyage I will take explorers to the west and northwestern end of Lake Winnipesaukee before returning for lunch at The Naswa Resort. Vintage Voyage II will explore the northeastern end of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Broads followed by lunch at Marker 21 restaurant.

“You will have the chance to ride in beautiful, privately-owned historic boats,” said NHBM Executive Director Martha Cummings. “Our boat captains tell stories and reveal little known tidbits about the area—this is a unique opportunity.”

Vintage Voyage Boat Excursion and fundraiser is sponsored by Lake Life Realty and Meredith Village Savings Bank. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit nhbm.org.

In addition to museums in the Lakes Region, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail includes members in Merrimack Valley and the Seacoast. Member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

Upcoming Activities at NH Boat Museum and Remick Museum

There will be plenty to do this season at NH Boat Museum (NHBM) and Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, both members of the statewide New Hampshire Heritage Trail.

At NHBM (Wolfeboro), Executive Director Martha Cummings said their programs and events are geared toward all ages. Lake Discovery Family Day is especially suited for kids. “It’s a free program that revolves around boating, lake ecology, arts, crafts, and games,” she said. “It’s fun for parents and caregivers, too.”

Other programs at NHBM include boat building workshops for youth, adults, and families and rides in the Millie B on Lake Winnipesaukee. NHBM also features a virtual lecture series, which features “lively presentations” by authors and, in some cases, former Olympians, all of whom share their stories related to boating, rowing, lake ecology, and more.

Image of work by Lesley Dill, inspired by Mother Ann Lee, who founded the Shakers - Copy

“We are thrilled to be part of the New Hampshire Heritage Trail with all members working together to promote each other and the wonderful heritage of this state,” added Cummings.

Opening Day for NHBM is Saturday, May 28. To learn more about upcoming NHBM events, visit nhbm.org.

At Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm (Tamworth Village), Cuddle Corral takes place May 26 – June 4 during which time people of all ages can cuddle with baby goats. “This is not only a great photo opportunity, this activity helps our baby goats acclimate to humans, which prepares them to be excellent hiking companions for visitor trail walks later in the season,” said Program Manager Jim Cruickshank.

Opening fully for the season on Wednesday, June 15, Remick Museum features other pre-season activities, including a Marion Remick Bird Walk on May 14 and 28 and The Remick Country Doctor Medical History Tour, May 27 – June 11.

“These are wonderful opportunities to explore our grounds and learn some interesting history, too,” added Cruickshank.

To learn more about Remick Museum, visit remickmuseum.org.

Aside from preserving the history and heritage of New Hampshire, individual museums on The Trail feature events, programs, exhibits, and experiential learning opportunities for all ages. To learn more about The Trail, including its Passport program, which provides buyers with one free admission ticket to each museum on The Trail, click this link.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Puts Spotlight on Canterbury Shaker Village

Located on a country road in rural Canterbury just 20 minutes outside New Hampshire’s state capital in Concord, Canterbury Shaker Village sits on nearly 700 acres, delighting visitors from across the region and beyond.

“The history here is just incredible,” said Executive Director Leslie Nolan, who said the property features thirty historic buildings and an extensive network of nature trails, ponds, and gardens for outdoor exploration.

Established in 1792, Canterbury Shaker Village is one of the oldest, most typical, and most completely preserved of the Shaker Villages. Subscribing to a revolutionary Christianity that shocked their contemporaries, the Shakers challenged nearly every mainstream ideal of American society, believing in communal ownership, pacifism, dancing in worship, equality of the sexes, celibacy, and living simply.

“They thrived here for 200 years,” explained Nolan, who said the last Shaker sister in residence, Ethel Hudson, died in 1992. “Our mission here is to preserve and interpret the legacy of the Shakers, while providing a place for learning, reflection, and renewal of the human spirit.”

This mission is achieved in multiple ways, including indoor and outdoor guided tours that begin on May 14. “On these tours, you will learn about how Shakers impacted agriculture, technology, modern architecture, and design in America,” said Nolan. “The Shakers were very creative and quite unorthodox.”

Another highlight from this year’s season includes Wilderness: Light Sizzles Around Me, an Exhibition by renowned artist Lesley Dill, that will run May 28 – September 11. Featuring a uniquely inspired selection of sculptures and two-dimensional works more than a decade in the making, the exhibition represents Dill’s ongoing investigation into the significant voices and personas of America’s past.

“This is a fantastic exhibit in our beautiful new gallery space,” said Nolan. “We are thrilled to show her work.”

On Thursday, June 23, Canterbury Shaker Village will host Simply Shaker Annual Fundraiser where guests will enjoy an open house, dinner, and celebration under a tent overlooking Turning Mill Pond. An accompanying online auction will also take place June 10 – June 20.

In partnership with New Hampshire Academy of Science, Canterbury Shaker Village will offer Introduction to Scientific Research Program on July 18 – 22 and July 25 – 29 for students, grades 8 – 10.

“This program takes place in our brand new STEM Lab,” said Nolan. “Here, students will learn about scientific planning, instrument techniques, and analytic approaches scientists use in an advanced ethically run research lab.”

In talking about their membership in the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, Nolan said she hopes Canterbury Shaker Village can inspire visitors to explore other member institutions.

“The Trail is a wonderful resource for the state, as each member museum works diligently to not just preserve history, but actively interpret and present it to audiences of varying ages and interests,” she said. “We invite you to experience all The Trail has to offer this season.”

To learn more about Canterbury Shaker Village, visit https://www.shakers.org.

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.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Serves as Gateway to New Hampshire

For Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, attracting out-of-state visitors is a big focus for member institutions. “Collectively, we welcome more than 200,000 visitors to museums on The Trail each year, more than half of whom are from out of state,” he explained. “Attracting tourists is a big part of our focus, because we recognize its impact on not just us, but nearby businesses.”

Formed in 2014 to share resources and better promote their programs, exhibits, and events, The Trail features more than 20 museums on the Seacoast and in Merrimack Valley and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Aside from preserving the history and heritage of New Hampshire, individual museums on The Trail are “remarkably diverse” from one another.

“Some museums cater more to families, while others may be more suitable for adult visitors,” said Barraclough, who is also executive director of the Millyard Museum, located in Manchester. “All of us, however, work very intentionally to create high-quality programming and experiences that we believe enhance people’s overall quality of life.”

Emma Stratton, longtime executive director of the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter, agreed with Barraclough and said the hope is that the 2022 season will see a return of visitation to pre-pandemic levels. “We are preparing for on-site visitation much like we did before the pandemic, while also continuing to develop online digital events and exhibits that can be accessed by anyone anywhere,” she said.

Founded in 1991, AIM preserves the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) and Folsom Tavern (c. 1775). “When you tour our property, you will learn about the incredible history of these structures, the families that have lived in them, and the important role each has played in New Hampshire history,” added Stratton.

Regarding The Millyard, Barraclough said their permanent exhibit, Woven in Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls, is a main area of interest for visitors. “The exhibit tells the story of Manchester and the people who have lived and worked here,” he said. “This story starts with the native peoples who fished at Amoskeag Falls 11,000 years ago and takes people through Manchester’s early farming and logging roots and into the beginnings of industry.”

Regarding her expectations for the 2022 season for AIM and all member institutions, Stratton said, “Welcome back.”

Member institutions on The Trail are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.