The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Gallery at the Woodman Museum
Now open for the 2025 season, guests at the Woodman Museum will experience several new exhibits, including an interactive gallery about colonial taverns. “You can walk in, play tavern games, collect recipes, see artifacts, and try on reproduction costuming,” noted Woodman Museum Executive Director Jon Nichols.
Popular permanent galleries include the nationally acclaimed Ninja Turtles exhibit and an Edwin Booth Theatre gallery, which contains memorabilia, costumes, and video montages. “The theatre is where filmmaker and director Robert Eggers started,” added Nichols. “Eggers directed the 2024 film Nosferatu, and a piece from the movie is on display.”
The real story behind the museum this year, however, may be what took place this past winter. In early November 2024, the museum’s boiler broke down, a development that necessitated the replacement of antique steam radiators with an electric mini-split system.
“This will allow us to better control the climate—everything from temperature to humidity—to help protect our collections,” explained Nichols, who expressed appreciation for community support, which included a sizeable private donation.
In looking to the 2025 season, Nichols said there is always a reason to come back more than once. “We have rotating galleries all year, so there are always going to be new experiences here at The Woodman,” he added.
The Woodman Museum is a member of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail. “We are thrilled The Woodman is back in operation and ready to delight guests, young and old,” remarked Trail President Jeff Barraclough. “They are an important and leading member of The Trail.”
In addition to the Woodman Museum in Dover, member institutions on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail are located in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, Merrimack Valley, and Seacoast.