Last week I posted a 6-Day History and Museum tour of Southern New England and my post today is a companion museum and history piece covering some highlights for the Northern New England states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. If Boston, Hartford, and Newport are blessed with the sophistication of the arts in their museums, then Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, are surely amply endowed with the heart of New England.

A New England heart that emphasizes the rustic and rural nature of its varied landscape.

In these states you’ll find museums describing the heritage of the people and the struggles and triumphs of life in the region. Many of these museums are housed in villages and buildings themselves under the protection of both national and local heritage societies.

DAY ONE/TWO – PENOBSCOT BAY, MAINE:

Maine prefers to let its famous rocky coastline, and vast wilderness and woods speak for themselves as records of its history. However, many man-made museums are available as well, and two to include on any visit to Maine are: the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, and the new Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland.

Maine has over 64 lighthouses to warn ships of its scenic but dangerous rocky coastline.  And the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland overlooking Penobscot Bay includes one of the largest collections of lenses and lighthouse artifacts in the United States.

Continuing with a nautical theme the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath along Maine’s scenic route 1 collects, preserves and interprets materials relating to the maritime history of Maine.

Bath and its famous ironworks were known as home of “The World’s Greatest Shipbuilders.”

And finally Maine has many historic Forts along its coastline due to the military campaigns of various nations that laid claim to the territory during its early years. Many of these can be visited thanks to the dedicated and hard work of volunteers. Fort Knox is perhaps the most-well known in this area. See the resource section on where to find more to visit.

DAY THREE/FOUR – PORTSMOUTH AND SQUAM LAKES, NEW HAMPSHIRE:

If the awe-inspiring Northern Peaks and woods of New Hampshire are not enough of a geological museum for you, then two more conventional destinations are located in the southern region of the Granite State.

The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth recreates life in Puddle Dock from the late 1600s to the 1950s, and offers a glimpse into four centuries of experience in this New Hampshire coastal community.

Many of the neighborhoods of 42 buildings are on their original foundations and offer a wonderful trip through Portsmouth’s history as a major trading post through its decline and rise again as a commercial hub.

The Strawbery Banke Gardens also provide a rich and unique opportunity to walk through centuries of garden history in the preserved landscapes, and makes a delightful outdoor experience to complete your visit.

Squam Lakes is another favorite destination in the central Lakes Region at the foothills of the White Mountains. Here at Holderness is the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center where the family can discover the varied animals and their habitats local to the wilderness areas of New Hampshire.

DAY FIVE/SIX – LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND GREEN MOUNTAINS, VERMONT:

The state of Vermont has always been a little different. One of the last to join the original union it held out as a republic for the longest time.  Today the state continues to celebrate its farming heritage, its battles for independence, and its conservation leadership, in its museums. Three to include on any trip to Vermont is Shelburne Farm on the shores of Lake Champlain, Billings Farm and Museum near the timeless village of Woodstock, and the Bennington Museum at the scenic town of Bennington in the southern portion of the Green Mountain National Forest.

Best described as a diverse experience, Shelburne Museum is located in Vermont’s scenic Lake Champlain valley. Part art museum and part craft museum with a healthy sprinkling of American Folk art, its spread out over 39 exhibition buildings placed in a village-like setting. Many of the buildings have been relocated from New York and other New England states and include houses, barns, a meeting house, covered bridge, and a jailhouse. Open from early May through fall only.

At the Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, visitors can attend the afternoon milking of the herd along with checking out the authentic and restored 1890 Farm House, and the many exhibits housed in the 19^th century barns.

Take in the film “A Place in the Land” as an orientation to the history of the farm at the visitor center.

A day at Billings Museum is about getting engaged and programs such as churning butter, making ice cream, getting to know the herd, how to keep a sheep, and training young oxen, are offered throughout the week.

The Bennington Museum is located in the charming village of Bennington in the shadow of Vermont’s southern Green Mountains. The museum was founded to celebrate the town’s Colonial past and the Revolutionary War battle of 1777, but now houses a large collection of paintings and sculptures and military artifacts from Vermont artists and historical past. The museum also has nature trails on its property with places to rest and picnic for a refreshing outdoor activity.

New England is famous for its quaint villages and towns and historical significance to the country. It’s no surprise the region has thousands of museums, and this has been a limited portal to some perennial favorites of visitors.

NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM RESOURCES:

Maine Maritime Museum

Maine Lighthouse Museum

Historic Forts in Maine

Strawbery Banke Museum

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Shelburne Museum

Travel Vermont

Billings Farm and Museum

Bennington Museum

7 New England Museums to Visit

New Hampshire Vacation Guide

Vermont Vacation Guide

Where to Stay in New England

Again, I’m sorry if your family favorite is not in the list and I encourage you to complain by writing a comment and sharing those you love with us. When it comes to museums in New England and choosing what to write about, I feel like a kid in a candy shop – there’s so much great stuff… and it’s not fattening either!

You can read the first part of this series called Museum Tour of Southern New England here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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