Community Valentine’s Project Highlights Portsmouth’s Rich History

A Valentine made for the Community Valentine’s Project

In early February, Portsmouth Historical Society hosted its first Community Valentine’s Project to show love for places and buildings in Portsmouth. In total, approximately two dozen Valentines were crafted during the event and subsequently hung on the City of Portsmouth’s “Tree of Love” in Market Square for a week after the event.

“This program was conceptualized by our newest staff member, Verity Boyer, who is passionate about sharing the importance of historic preservation with the community,” said Marketing Manager Sabina Ion. “Her idea was to show our love and appreciation for the buildings and spaces around us that impact people’s lives and bring joy to the community.”

Valentines contained messages to locations around Portsmouth, including the John Paul Jones House, Moffatt-Ladd House, Rockingham lions, former Daily Times Building, Ona Judge mural, Strawberry Banke Museum, Memorial Bridge, and African Burying Grounds. “The messages draw attention to how people are still interacting with the monuments of our past and show what an impact the historic character of this city has on the current residents,” Ion said.

Portsmouth Historical Society is a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “This event promoted connection to place, history, and culture in a fun and creative way,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “We hope people can turn to museums on The Trail for not just education, but fun experiences for the entire family.”

According to Ion, Portsmouth Historical Society plans to make the Community Valentine’s Project an annual event in partnership with the City of Portsmouth. “This program supports our mission of connecting the community to our past, present, and future,” she explained. Click here to learn more Portsmouth Historical Society.

In addition to the 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.

New England Racing Museum Celebrates “TrueLOVE” in February

Russ Truelove’s 1956 Mercury

New England Racing Museum is offering $5 off admission in February in honor of “TrueLOVE”, where they will feature the 1956 Mercury Russ Truelove famously raced and crashed on the Daytona Beach and Road Course.

The Mercury has been loaned to New England Racing Museum by the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “It is the only New England car to compete in the Daytona Beach and Road course that survives,” said Ruth Thompson, New England Racing Museum Deputy Director & Assistant to the President.

After qualifying 5th in the “flying mile time trial” at the Daytona course in 1956, Truelove rolled the Mercury six times. The crash was later featured in Life Magazine. In addition to the repaired car, the display at New England Racing Museum features the magazine spread and a film clip of the crash.

“The car is in great condition,” said Thompson. “The interior looks as it did when Truelove raced it with its original dashboard, steering wheel, crank windows, and bench seat. It has become a lot of visitors’ favorite car to see.”

Truelove’s daughter, Robin Truelove Stronk of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, said her father “lived to race.” “He literally took a stock car on a payment plan from the showroom floor where he worked as a salesman with the idea of racing it in the 1956 Grand National at Daytona,” she said.

When situations went awry, such as after the crash, her father always said, “’I’ll think of something,’” added Truelove Stronk.

New England Racing Museum is offering $5 off admission for in February. This month, the museum gift shop is also promoting its first women’s t-shirt in the shade of raspberry for $20. Click here for more information about New England Racing Museum.

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.

Scouting Pitches Camp in New Hampshire

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In 1907, Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell adapted his military training program as “a game with a purpose”. The program was discovered by Chicago Publisher William D. Boyce, after getting lost in the London fog and being helped by an “Unknown Scout”. Boyce brought the program idea back to America, and The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910.

The Scouting movement hiked into the Granite State and pitched camp in 1912, but a rather unorganized initial effort made it an up-hill climb. As Scouting grew in popularity, three makeshift councils formed in Dover, Claremont, and Portsmouth. The council added a Scout Executive to its staff in 1919. On January 9, 1920, the Manchester Council was granted an official charter with the Boy Scouts of America. It became Daniel Webster Council in 1929.

In its heyday, Daniel Webster Council comprised nearly 18,000 youth, and 5,000 adult volunteers registered with the BSA. Today an active, thriving program exists statewide within Scouting America. Daniel Webster Council operates both Hidden Valley Scout Reservation in Gilmanton Iron Works, and Camp Carpenter in Manchester. It now comprises boys and girls age five through twenty-one, in Cub Scout Packs, Scouts BSA Troops, Exploring Posts, Venturing Crews and Sea Scout Ships.

In 2026, during America’s 250th Anniversary, New Hampshire Scouts will celebrate 105 years of growing youth into men and women of character and achievement.

Museum of the White Mountains Opens New Exhibit

MWM’s new exhibit “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains”

The Museum of the White Mountains (MWM) has opened a new exhibit, “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains,” on display until March 29.

The exhibit was co-curated by MWM Director Meghan Doherty and New Hampshire-based photographer Joe Klementovich. According to Doherty, the exhibit explores how winters have changed in the last 150 years. Through displays that feature historical and contemporary winter recreation gear, graphs from climate science studies, and winter-related photography by Klementovich, the exhibit reveals the complex relationships between climate, technology, and access to the outdoors.

“We want visitors to the exhibition to both appreciate the rich history of winter recreation in the White Mountains and recognize how our winters are changing,” said Doherty. “Since 1970, winters in New Hampshire have warmed up 6 ℉.”

Since 1957, she said snowpack duration has also decreased by 31 days at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Woodstock, New Hampshire. “As our winters get warmer and we experience more rain during the winter months, our opportunities to get outside and experience the joys of winter recreation are decreasing,” she added. “Getting out and enjoying the snow helps us remember the joys of winter and why it’s worth protecting.”

MWM is one of nearly two dozen NH Heritage Museum Trail member institutions. According to Trail President Jeff Barraclough, the new exhibit at MWM underscores the relevance of The Trail itself.

“Collectively, our exhibits and programs reveal not just the importance of historical knowledge but its relevance to today,” he said. “We hope people will take the time to explore this exhibit and consider visiting our many other worthy member institutions.”

To learn more about the Museum of the White Mountains, including the “Silent Shifts: Evolving Winters in the White Mountains” exhibit, visit plymouth.edu/mwm.

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

The Trail Kicks off 25 Stories for 250 Years

Mt. Kearsarge Museum in Warner, NH

Leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 2026, the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail has launched 25 Stories for 250 Years. In this initiative, member institutions on The Trail will share stories about unique and interesting people, places, and events that celebrate New Hampshire heritage.

“Every museum has interesting stories to tell about the men and women who have shaped the history of the state,” said Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “This project will highlight some often overlooked stories about those people and events and raise better awareness of their importance to New Hampshire’s history.”

The project, which kicked off in December 2024, asks each of The Trail’s 21 member institutions to contribute at least one story about New Hampshire history. These stories will be released each month through 2026. “It is our hope that people will learn new things about New Hampshire through this project and that they will be inspired to visit the museums on the Trail,” added Barraclough.

In December, The Trail highlighted “Raid on Fort William and Mary” by the American Independence Museum (AIM), which also contributed “Revolutionary Women” in January. Featured stories are available on nhmuseumtrail.org, Facebook, and Instagram.

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