New Hampshire History Museums

Endicott Rock State Historical Monument

Perhaps the oldest public monument in New England, the rock was inscribed on August 1, 1652 by explorers and surveyors Edward Johnson, Simon Willard, John Sherman and Jonathan Ince.  Located on Route 3 in Laconia, NH.

Clark Historic House in Wolfeboro

Erected in 1778, the house was the center of a 100 acre working farm.  Although it's original occupants were unknown, the house was used as a tavern for a time and then was purchased in 1817 by Joseph Clark.  It remained in the Clark family for one hundred years.  The house has been used as a museum since 1917 and features authentic furnishings and a room full of curiosities.  Also on the grounds, visitors will find the Fire House Museum which features antique fire engines and firefighting equipment and the Pleasant Valley School House which was erected in 1805.  The historical complex is located at 233 S. Main Street in Wolfeboro, NH.

Eastman Lord House Museum

Constructed ca 1818, the house was once home to the William Kimball Eastman family.  The house features 17 rooms furnished in different periods from 1818 to 1945.  Operated by the Conway Historical Society and open for tours.  Located at 100 Main Street in Conway, NH.

Florence McBride Salyards Museum of White Mountain Art

Governor Wentworth State Historic Site

Madison Historical Museum

Devoted to the preservation of Madison History.  Located at Madison Corner.

Wright WWII Museum

Devoted to the preservation and telling of the stories of WWII, the museum features a 2 story visitor's center, a Home Front gallery, a theater and a military wing.  Collections include vintage military vehicles.  Located at 77 Center Street in Wolfeboro, NH.

Cheshire County Historical Society Museum   [History]

The museum features exhibits, events, activities and programs to help bring to life the history of Cheshire County.  Located at 246 Main Street in Keene, NH.

Horatio Colony House Museum   [History]  [Virtual Tour]

Constructed in 1806, the lovely Federal style house was originally home to the Blake family and later was the home of Horatio Colony and his wife Emeline Joslin, grandparents to famed author Horatio Colony II.  Filled with original family furnishings and art, the grounds also boast a nature preserve.  Located at 199 Main Street in Keene, NH.

Wyman Tavern Historic Museum

Erected in 1762 by Captain Isaac Wyman, the tavern has seen a lot of history.  It has been used as a private home and a school.  Today, guided tours are offered and living history programs such as Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments are featured during special events.  Located at 339 Main Street in Keene, NH.

Gorham Historical Society & Railroad Museum

The museum features an extensive collection of artifacts on Gorham and area history in a 1907 former Grand Trunk Railroad depot.  In addition, a unique mix of railroad equipment includes: Baldwin steam engine, a B&M diesel locomotive (being converted into a unique theater and picture gallery with access to the cab), a Russell snow plow, a Conrail caboose and four box cars.  Two of the box cars have special exhibits: a model railroad and a steam era Railroadania exhibit (Quinn-Crockett Collection principally) about the Grand Trunk RR.  Located at 25 Railroad St. in Gorham, NH.

John Wingate Weeks Historic Site

This turn-of-the-century estate was owned by John Wingate Weeks (U.S. Congressman and Secretary of War).  Today it is operated by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation and is open for tours.  Located off Route 3, two miles south of Lancaster, NH.

Canaan Historical Museum 

[Canaan Village History]   [Historic Places in Canaan]

Housed in the 1839 Canaan Academy Building, the museum preserves and displays the history of Canaan.  Located on Canaan Street in Canaan, NH.

Enfield Shaker Museum   [History]  [Photos]

The museum is actually a village of 9 Shaker buildings where you can absorb the history of the Enfield Shakers.  Along with the many exhibits detailing life in the Shaker community, you will see skilled artisans demonstrating their crafts and Shaker items may be purchased from the shop.  24 Caleb Dyer Lane, Enfield, NH.

Franconia Heritage Museum

Franconia Iron Works

Littleton Historical Museum

Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum

Sugar Hill Historical Museum

The museum is focused on the history of early settlement of the area and features the Cobleigh Tavern Kitchen, a carriage barn, a blacksmith shop and genealogy library.  Local artists are featured and craft classes offered.  Located on Main Street (Route 117) in Franconia, NH.

Franklin Pierce Homestead

Franklin Pierce Homestead

[History]  [Bicentennial]

Franklin Pierce Bio

Erected in 1804, the stately house was  the childhood home to Franklin Pierce (14th US President).  The walls of this estate have seen many great Americans such as Daniel Webster and Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Tours are offered.  Located just north of the junction of Routes 9 & 31 in Hillsborough, NH.

Kendall Shop Museum & Carriage House

Museum is open by appointment only.  Call 603-471-6336.  Located at 24 North Amherst Rd. in Bedford, NH.

Lawrence L. Lee Scouting Museum

Manchester Historic Association Millyard Museum

Mariposa Museum

The museum is housed inside the 1822 Baptist Church building which has served many different capacities in the community.  Today the facility operates a museum containing collections of folkart, textiles, costumes, art, puppets, toys, instruments and more.  Celebrate world culture at the Mariposa Museum.  Located at 26 Main Street in Peterborough, NH.

Mont Vernon Historical Museum & Library   [Historic Photos]

Peterborough History Museum

Featuring the history of Peterborough from early settlement to the present time through artifacts, photos and exhibits.  The Morison Library & Archives offers research materials for historians and genealogists.  19 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH.

Canterbury Shaker Village

Daniel Webster's Birthplace 

Featuring a living history 1700s farm, the site is the birthplace of Daniel Webster (statesman).  The Webster family lived in a log cabin and was operating a mill when the Revolutionary War broke out.  The site is steeped in history.  Located off Route 127 in Franklin, NH.

Museum of New Hampshire History

American Independence Museum   [History]

The museum offers two historic buildings on a beautifully landscaped acre in downtown Exeter, NH.  The Ladd - Gilman House displays a Dunlap Broadside (one of the original 200 copies) of the Declaration of Independence which was discovered in the house in 1985.  There are also two drafts of the U.S. Constitution in this museum collection along with many artifacts of Early American history.  The Folsom Tavern was built ca 1775 and has seen visitors as important as President George Washington.  Known as an important place during the Revolutionary War, the tavern was moved to this location in 2004 and will be opened in 2007.  Located at One Governors Lane in Exeter, NH.

The Fitts Museum

Known as "The Treasure on the Hill", the museum is housed in a typical early New Hampshire country home.  As you enter the door, you will step back in time to a day when the townspeople of Candia used their spinning wheels, and worked the land.  The home features preserved furnishings, musical instruments, tools, baskets and other historical artifacts related to the history of Candia, NH.  Located on High Street in Candia Four Corners at the top of the hill.

Fort Constitution Historic Site  [History]  [Ft. William and Mary]

Fort Stark Historic Site

Moffat - Ladd House & Garden  [History]

A fine Georgian mansion, the house was built between 1760 and 1763 for merchant John Moffatt.  The house was occupied by General William Whipple (signer of the Declaration of Independence) during the American Revolution.  Until 1900, the house was occupied by descendants of John Moffatt including Katharine Moffatt and husband General William Whipple during the American Revolution.  It was opened as an historic house museum in 1912.  The museum showcases original features of the home and it is furnished in period style.  Owned and operated by the National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Hampshire it is located at 154 Market Street in Portsmouth, NH.

Northwood Historical Society Museum

Housed in the former James Bryant Library on School Street in Northwood, the museum offers collections of documents and artifacts related to the early history of Northwood, NH.

Robert Frost Farm   [History and Photos]

Strawberry Banke Museum

[Historic Buildings & Exhibits]

Taylor Sawmill State Historic Site

A 200 year old sawmill located in the Ballard State Forest on Island Pond Road, Derry, NH.  The mill is only open to the public during preset dates so be sure to check the schedule if you want to see a demonstration of the sawmill.

USS Albacore Museum

Established in 1916, the Woodman Institute Museum is a typical "turn of century" style natural science, local history and art museum with collections displayed throughout a four building complex that includes an original 1675 colonial fortified garrison house that allows visitors an opportunity to step back in time as they climb the narrow ladder stairs to the second floor loft and view rope beds, spinning wheels, various butter churns, an early 1700s weaving loom and original hand hewn beams holding the cabin together with wooden pegs. The first floor displays early cooking utensils, candle molds, cradles, early furniture and dishes. The 1813 John P. Hale House has collections of art, furniture, dolls, police/fire memorabilia, nautical instruments, pewter and Cocheco Mill artifacts. The 1818 Woodman House offers natural science exhibits and a Civil War collection. The Keefe House offers special traveling exhibits, lectures, research library and a carriage barn exhibit. Special events such as appraisal days and antique car shows are held on the museum grounds.  Located at 182 Central Avenue in Dover, NH.

District #5 School

The Fort at No. 4 Living History Museum

[Fort History]   [Virtual Tour]

Tour guides in authentic dress will lead you back in time to the 1740s at this living history museum.  The fort is an authentic replication of the original settlement at Charlestown, NH.  267 Springfield Road, Charlestown, NH.

Saint - Gaudens National Historic Site

Washington's Historic Buildings

Museum Index for Other States

New Hampshire Census Records