The John Hay Estate at the Fells
The John Hay Estate at the Fells, which is the historic summer home of John Milton Hay located on Lake Sunapee, has joined the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, a collaborative network established in 2014 that connects more than 20 heritage institutions across the state. The addition of The Fells strengthens the Trail’s mission to preserve and promote New Hampshire’s rich cultural legacy while fostering collaboration among museums and historic sites.
“We are honored to join the NH Heritage Trail—an organization whose mission to connect history, culture, and community reflects the very values we steward at the John Hay Estate at The Fells,” said Paige Kingsley, Executive Director of The Fells.
The NH Heritage Museum Trail, led by President Jeff Barraclough (Executive Director, Millyard Museum), spans the Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, Seacoast, and White Mountains. Member institutions collectively interpret more than 300 years of state history, house hundreds of thousands of artifacts, and welcome over 200,000 visitors annually.
For The Fells, joining The Trail represents a natural extension of its mission to preserve and interpret both cultural and natural heritage. The 83-acre estate, originally established in 1889 by John Milton Hay—Abraham Lincoln’s personal secretary and later U.S. Secretary of State—serves as both a National Historic Landmark and the John Hay National Wildlife Refuge.
“History becomes most powerful when it is shared,” Kingsley explained. “Every visitor who steps onto the grounds of The Fells experiences something immersive and memorable—a sense of being part of a living story…By joining The Trail, we help ensure that these transformative experiences are not isolated but connected to a larger narrative that spans the state.”
The Fells’ 2025–2026 season features a vibrant mix of musical performances, new sculpture installations, curated art exhibitions, and special historical programming—including a presentation on Abraham Lincoln by renowned historian Ralph Nurnberger. These offerings, alongside ongoing conservation and educational initiatives, underscore The Fells’ commitment to stewardship and public engagement.
“We also recognize that museums are stronger together,” added Kingsley. “Collaboration allows us to amplify our missions, share resources, and reach broader audiences.”
The Fells is one of more than two-dozen member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, located in the Lakes Region, White Mountains, Dartmouth-Sunapee Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.