1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

History “On Tap” on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

On Thursday, September 28, Liars Bench will host Portsmouth on Tap in collaboration with Portsmouth Historical Society to celebrate Portsmouth’s 400th Anniversary. Taking place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the event will feature a limited-edition beer by Liars Bench inspired by the Portsmouth Peace Treaty and historical trivia and games hosted by the Historical Society.

“Portsmouth on Tap is a new way for the Portsmouth Historical Society to connect to our local community,” said Emma Stratton, Executive Director of Portsmouth Historical Society. “We hope people will join us for these exciting events that bring history to life through trivia, games, and delicious brews.”

To learn more about Portsmouth on Tap, which takes place throughout the fall, click here.

Tuesdays on the Terrace

In nearby Exeter, the American Independence Museum (AIM) will also host Beer for History in the fall. Presented by Donahue Tucker & Ciandella, the popular series takes place within and outside Folsom Tavern (c. 1775), which once welcomed George Washington.

“Beer for History events feature an incredible ambiance that feels very historic and authentic,” said AIM Executive Director Jennifer Carr. “Part of our We Are One initiative is to bring the community together, and this family-friendly series does just that.”

Beer for History kicks off with Stowe, VT’s von Trapp Brewing on Thursday October 5 with tickets $10 for adults (21+) and free for anyone under 21. Other brewers in the series include SawBelly Brewing, The Czar’s Brewery, and UNH Brewlab. Tickets may be purchased at independencemuseum.org.

In addition to AIM in Exeter and Portsmouth Historical Society in Portsmouth, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail, click here.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Puts Spotlight on Castle in the Clouds

Originally called Lucknow, Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough sits on 6,300-acres developed in 1913 by Tomas G. Plant, a wealthy shoe manufacturer, to create a luxurious lifestyle.

“At the time, the estate featured state-of-the-art amenities, beautiful hand-made furnishings, and a large staff to run it,” explained Executive Director Charles Clark.

Today, visitors come from across the world to tour the mansion and exhibit gallery, dine in the Carriage House Restaurant or Café in the Clouds, and hike miles of trails maintained by Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

A founding member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, Castle in the Clouds has also become well known for its wide variety of events held year-round. This upcoming Labor Day Weekend is no exception, beginning with Castle Close-Up Tour: The Servant Experience on Friday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m.

“This special tour kicks off Labor Day Weekend and will highlight the many ways labor was involved in the building and operation of Lucknow,” said Clark.  “It’s an interesting tour that explores the living quarters and workspaces of the estate staff in an effort to better understand  the servant experience and their stories.”

Tuesdays on the Terrace

On Monday, September 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Castle in the Clouds will host Labor Day Family Picnic & Mini Parade. At this event, visitors are invited to bring their own picnic lunch or purchase food on the property. During the picnic, visitors may participate in activities, including lawn games and make-your-own musical instruments, followed by a mini parade around the field at 1:45 p.m.

“If you want to participate, bring recycled materials, including cans, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, bottles, jar lids, or anything else you think you could turn into an instrument,” Clark added.

Labor Day Weekend at Castle in the Clouds concludes with Putting Human Faces on the Textile Industry: The Workers of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company on Monday, September 4 at 5:00 p.m. During this presentation, made possible by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities: Humanities To Go program, guests will glean insights into the daily life of Amoskeag Manufacturing Company textile workers in the early 1900’s.

“It’s a fascinating look at how people from European countries and French Canada made the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society,” said Clark. “It’s a look into how these changes affected families, local cultures, the nature of work itself, and relationships among workers.”

In talking about their membership in the New Hampshire Heritage Trail, Clark said he hopes Castle in the Clouds can inspire visitors to visit other member institutions throughout New Hampshire.

“New Hampshire is full of history, and there is no better way to experience it than on the New Hampshire Heritage Trail,” he said.“All of our members feature professional staff, fun events, and inspiring programs. Some members, like us, also feature incredible natural scenery that can be explored by walking trails, so there is no shortage of things to do.”

In addition to Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, member institutions on The New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, including Castle in the Clouds, click here.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail To Feature ‘Muscle’ in August

On Saturday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., New England Racing Museum will host the 5th Annual Hot Rods, Muscle and More all-vehicles car show, presented by Shea Concrete Products.

In addition to the car show, featuring an estimated 150+ vehicles, the event provides visitors with the opportunity to explore New Hampshire history through dozens of historical race car and motorcycle exhibits inside the museum. Visitors may also test their skills on the museum’s iRacing rig and four lane electric slot car track. 

“It’s a fun day where you can simply have a great time with your family,” said Thomas Netishen, executive director. “We also have a great gift shop where people can purchase gifts for others or mementoes to remember their time here.”

Tuesdays on the Terrace

Regarding the show itself, Netishen said they will award 20 trophies, including the third annual Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy, which honors “two incredibly important people associated with the museum.”

“Ted Parker and Gil Coraine have contributed extensively to the museum’s success,” he added. “We look forward to honoring them each year with this high quality and unique trophy.”

Other event highlights include a 50/50 raffle, food truck, and the ‘Coolest Sounding’ vehicle runoff competition, which takes place at 1:00 p.m. Event proceeds support the museum and its mission “to preserve and educate the public on the history of New England motor racing.”

“Museum events like this are a major revenue source that help keep us operating,” said Netishen. The cost to enter a vehicle into the 5th Annual Hot Rods, Muscle and More 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 nermuseum.com.

In addition to the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast. To learn more about The Trail or any member institution, click here.

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.

Let There Be Light

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.