Museums to Visit This Summer

Head to Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth this summer and experience their new interpretive tour of the historic waterfront neighborhood of Strawbery Banke.

It’s summer museum season! Here are the details for a few of our favorites. As you may have guessed, things look a little different for summer 2020. Many of our favorite museums are offering free access to walking trails and gardens while their indoor buildings remain closed. Before you head out, make sure that you check the appropriate website for COVID-19 visiting protocols, precautions and procedures. 

Wright Museum of WWII
77 Center St., Wolfeboro
Don’t miss one of the museum’s first exhibits of the season: a showing of 50 large format photos that tell the story of a war that left a deep scar on our country and the world. Vietnam: The Real War Photographs from the Associated Press will be on display until September. 77 Center St., Wolfeboro

Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm
58 Cleveland Hill Rd., Tamworth Village
Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire, Remick offers year-round history and season-based learning opportunities and exploratory fun for all generations. For the wellbeing and safety of all, movement around the property is currently limited and self-led, but pack-in/pack-out picnics are strongly encouraged. Farm animals can be seen grazing in their summer pastures where you can get near to them, but you can’t touch them. The Binsack Trail remains open for walking, but all buildings and barns, including the Museum Center, are closed. This summer at the Remick, it’s all about simple pleasures so admission is currently free for all.

Strawbery Banke Museum
14 Hancock St., Portsmouth
The re-imagined visitor experience at Strawbery Banke Museum allows visitors to experience four outdoor sites exploring the resiliency of the historic waterfront neighborhood throughout time. This daily, public program invites guests to experience their own recoveries from COVID-19 restrictions by recognizing the parallels between everyday life in the present and the past. Participants in small group tours (10 individuals or fewer) meet costumed role players across the museum grounds, discover architectural and landscape details, as well as discuss the history of the site from Indigenous use in the 1600s through Urban Renewal and historic preservation efforts in 1958 that created the museum.

American Independence Museum
1 Governors Ln., Exeter
This Colonial-themed spot is a summertime favorite, especially in the month of July. In response to the coronavirus, the museum decided to re-imagine its famous American Independence Festival, which is being held July 4-16. Rather than one, big celebration, there will be many, smaller virtual events held throughout the two-week period. Look for a town-wide scavenger hunt, drive-in movie, lunch and learns and much more.

Canterbury Shaker Village
288 Shaker Rd., Canterbury
Discover the creative and spiritual lives of the Canterbury Shakers through guided tours. You can also enjoy lunch, peruse their gift shop, or explore beautiful Shaker architecture and crafts.

Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
139 Saint Gaudens Rd., Cornish
While the majority of this historic property is closed, you can still explore the beautiful gardens and walking trails.