NEW HAMPSHIRE

Strawberry Banke

This museum in the coastal town of Portsmouth is home to forty historic buildings, including six that were moved to the site in order to preserve them. Visitors can explore four centuries of American life through exhibitions (including late 17th century dwellings), stop for ice cream at Jefferson House, and tour several gardens. The museum also has a discovery center where children can learn about the past through playing. Children can learn letters by making a Colonial sampler, try a cooper's tools, learn the basics of shipbuilding, and learn to cook using supplies from the Colonial days.

To learn more about the museum, visit their website: http://www.strawberybanke.org. To learn about their programs, and get up-to-date information on dates and times, check out this page: http://www.strawberybanke.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=71

Derry History Museum features many Native American artifacts, and colonial documents and photographs. For more information: call (603) 490-3054, or visit: http://www.derrymuseum.org/about.html.

The American Independence Museum has stories of the Revolutionary War and the people who worked to establish our country. There are exhibits on George Washington, military, silver, colonial furniture and early drafts of the constitution. Every year in late July there is a festival celebrating American independence including food, music, fireworks, activities for children, arts/crafts, and talks with historic role-players. For more information: http://www.independencemuseum.org/index.htm.

Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College includes exhibitions on art and artifacts including American, Ancient Egyptian, northern African, Native American and Aboriginal art. The aboriginal art exhibit will be open October 6th until March 10, 2013. There are also family days for children 6-12 where families can explore the museum, attend performances and create art projects together. For more information: http://hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu/.

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire offers children's exhibits, including Dino Detective, where children can become paleontologists, climb into dig site, and unearth dinosaur fossils. Children can also examine slides under a microscope and make fossil rubbings. Every year they also have summer camps for children in a wide range of ages that allow them to learn about dinosaurs, art around the world, and other science topics. For more information: http://www.childrens-museum.org/cmnh2010/default.aspx.

Mariposa Museum and Cultural Center is an interactive museum that allows families to look at artifacts from different cultures, galleries, a try-it-on costume studio, puppet center and a musical instrument collection. For more information: http://www.mariposamuseum.org/about.html.

The James House
Here, you can see first-hand the fascinating work of the early colonial builders and craftsmen. At the same time, you can view ongoing preservation projects, the progress made thus far, and the plans for the future at the James House. The house is only open on special days; a calendar of which can be found here: http://www.jameshousemuseum.org/jh_calendar.htm. For more information on the James House, visit its Web site at: www.jameshousemuseum.org/.

Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum
There is always something special going on at Mount Kearsarge Indian Museum! In addition to the daily tours of the collection, the museum provides opportunities to learn about Native American philosophy and culture through lectures, hands-on activities, and workshops during the year. For more information, visit its Web site at: http://www.indianmuseum.org/.

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