1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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.”

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

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.

New Hampshire Heritage Trail Features Skating and More This Holiday Season

Entering its eighth season, Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond is now open at Strawbery Banke Museum, one of more than 15 museums located on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail.

“After a successful 2020-21 season providing safe outdoor recreation, the Museum is looking forward to another highly anticipated skating season,” said Lawrence J. Yerdon, President and CEO.

In addition to daily public skating, Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond offers skate lessons, adaptive ice time for those with physical challenges, pop-up performances, rink rentals, and more.

Located in Portsmouth, NH, Strawbery Banke Museum is a 10-acre history museum interpreting over 300 years of history—from Indigenous history to the present day—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 Strawbery Banke Museum, or Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, visit strawberybanke.org. 

On Saturday, December 18 at 12:00 p.m., Albacore Park in Portsmouth will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day, which remembers and honors veterans and their families. Albacore Park is one of more than 2,500 participating cemeteries and sites.

National Wreaths Across America Day at Albacore Park in Portsmouth

“At Albacore Park, 27 wreaths were placed in 2020, and we hope for more this year,” said Executive Director Patricia Violette, who noted this year’s event theme is “Live up to their legacy.” “We urge everyone to look to the people and the families that have made these sacrifices to keep this country free and live up to their legacy.”

Free to everyone, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 18. For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath for a hero, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/NHAPPS.

Albacore Park is the formal site for the USS Albacore Submarine and museum and home of the Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association. To learn more, visit ussalbacore.org.

Formed in 2014 to share resources and better promote their respective collections, programs and events, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail includes members in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Gets ‘Revved” Up

Joining the New Hampshire Heritage Museum earlier in 2021, North East Motor Sports Museum will host Hot Rods, Muscle And More Car Show on Saturday, August 28. In total, the museum will award 20 trophies, including the inaugural Parker-Coraine Best of Show Trophy.

“Ted Parker and Gil Coraine have contributed extensively to the museum’s success, and we look forward to honoring them with this high quality and unique trophy,” said Thomas Netishen, executive director. 

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum, 922 NH Route 106 in Loudon, with the Coolest Sounding vehicle runoff competition kicking off the awards at 1 p.m. The show will also feature a 50/50 raffle and an onsite food truck.  “Visitors will also enjoy and explore the history of more than 30 historical race car and motorcycle exhibits inside our museum,” he said. “You can test your skills on our iRacing and four-lane electric slot car track, too.”

The cost to enter a vehicle into the show is $20, which includes two free tickets to view the exhibits on the day of the show. The cost for spectators to view the outdoor car show is $5, while kids under 12 are admitted free.  “We look forward to welcoming back our car enthusiast friends for another great car show fundraiser,” added Netishen.

For more information about North East Motor Sports Museum, click here.

Formed in 2014, the NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions. Member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Loudon, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.