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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.

July launches 2020 season for NH Heritage Museum Trail in the Seacoast Region

For many museums on the NH Heritage Museum Trail in the Seacoast Region, July marks the beginning of an eagerly anticipated 2020 season.

Portsmouth Historical Society

On July 10, Portsmouth Historical Society (PHS) will reopen its Welcome Center and Gift Shop and feature two new walking tours (groups of 6 or less).

Offered every Sat at 3:30 through July, “The Portsmouth Path of President Washington” will be led by walking tour guide Jeff Thomson. One of the stops along the way is the Tobias Lear House. “Tobias Lear was President Washington’s personal secretary,” said PHS’s Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf. “Since many folks may not know that George Washington spent time on the Seacoast in 1789, we thought this would be an interesting addition to our walking tour line up.”

Offered every Sunday at 3:30 through July, “Gay” Old Times: Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ Community will explore the hidden history of LGBT clubs, organizations, and people that impacted the NH Seacoast.

To learn more, visit portsmouthhistory.org.

Strawbery Banke Museum

In Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke Museum reopens July 1 with “Emerging Renewed — An Interpretive Tour of the Historic Waterfront Neighborhood of Strawbery Banke.”

Featuring daily tours beginning on the hour and half-hour through October 31, the re-imagined experience will take visitors through four outdoor sites that explore the resiliency of the historic waterfront neighborhood over time. In the program, small group tours (10 individuals or fewer) will meet costumed role-players, discover architectural and landscape details and learn about the history of the site from the 1600s through efforts in 1958 that created the museum.

To learn more, visit strawberybanke.org.

Woodman Museum

In Dover, the Woodman Museum also opens on July 1 with five available reserved tours daily from 10am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday for groups of 10 or fewer.

One highlight in 2020, according to Executive Director Dave Tompkins, is a season long exhibition that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Woman’s Suffrage Movement. “It explores the role of NH Suffragette Marilla Ricker, local Dover and other women from around the state who contributed to the 19th Amendment, which allowed women the right to vote,” he said.

The Woodman, founded in 1916, is a traditional early 20th-century style natural science, history, and art museum with exhibits for all ages. To learn more, or check for hours (The Woodman is closed July 4 and 5), visit woodmanmuseum.org.

About The Trail

Formed in 2014 as a way to share resources and better promote their respective collections, programs and events, The Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions. 18 member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.