	Courtesy Photo: Robert Frost Museum

Things to do

Museums

The history of the Franconia Notch Region is communicated to the world through its museums for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment. Through conservation and research, each has acquired the tangible and intangible heritage and legacies of its people and environment, enabling visitors to explore these collections for inspiration, learning, and a deep appreciation of it all.

There are amazing histories and legacies from our area that make our small patch of geography a highly recognizable "historical destination" known throughout the world. Surely nothing can replace the 40,000 year-old Ice Age glacially created "Old Man of the Mountains", but the museum at Cannon Mountain tells the story for generations to come- much as the last Iron Blast Furnace in NH does by depicting the industry and labor of early settlers indigenous to Franconia. Museums, historical societies and dedicated curators hold our heritage and legacies in trust for all society and all time.


			The Brick Store 21 Lisbon Road, PO Box 118, Bath, NH 603-747-2074 proprietors@thebrickstore.com The Brick Store is America's oldest continously operated General Store, dating back to 1790. Unique and distinctive New England specialties are available including our own smokehouse meats and cheese, homemade fudge, gift packs and gift baskets, maple syrup, weathervanes, antiques & memorabilia, deli case & service, one stop shopping by the owners, just as it always was and should be.

			Early Settlers Museum at the Sugar Hill Sampler Sunset Hill Road, off Route 117, Sugar Hill, NH Seasonal; a family museum that depicts Sugar Hill and it's early settlers following eight generations through today as represented by the businesses of the Sugar Hill Samplerr, Polly's Pancake Parlor and Harman's Cheese & Country Store- all owned and operated by today's generations.

			The Frost Place Museum PO Box 74, 158 Ridge Road 603-823-5510 Museum and poetry conference center based at poet Robert Frost's historic homestead, with exhibits, a Poetry Trail, and summertime readings and writers' workshops. Admission: $5/$4/$3.. See web or telephone for open hours and special events schedule from late May to early October.

			Franconia Heritage Museum 553 Main Street, Franconia, NH 603-823-5000 heritagemuseum@myfairpoint.net Completely furnished century-old farmhouse is a journey back through time. Open Thursdays and Saturdays May through October; other times by request. Directions, Exit 38 off Rte 93, take a left. At lights take a left on Rte 18. Half mile down on the left.

			The Iron Furnace Interpretive Center Main Street, Route 18, Franconia, NH Across from Lafayette Regional School Self-guided and viewable any time. Scale model and outdoor panels explain the operation of a hot blast iron furnace from 1805-1865. The furnace itself, on private property across the Gale River, can be seen from the Interpretive Center. It is the only such furnace still standing in NH.

			Old Man of the Mountain Museum Exit 34C off I-93, Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH Seasonal Information, pictures and history of the Great Stone face, as labeled by Nathaniel Hawthorne, revered in Prose by Daniel Webster.

			New England Ski Museum Exit 34C off I-93, Franconia Notch State Park, Franconia, NH 603-823-7177 New England Ski Museum is a member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to the history of skiing and "preserving the future of skiing's past". We offer annually-changing exhibits on ski history; vintage ski films; a Museum Shop and catalog with gifts inspired by our collection, and Journals published four times a year with articles on ski history. Our current display includes the five Olympic medals won by Franconia native Bode Miller. Admission to the Museum is always free.

			Rocks Estate Route 302, Bethlehem, NH 603-444-6228 Owned and managed by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 1300 acres of historic buildings, educational trails and programs set in a working tree farm where one can experience maple sugaring, select live Christmas trees, sleigh rides and other activities accessed from their website. Some of the best views in the North Country.

			Sugar Hill Historic Museum Route 117, Main Street, Sugar Hill, NH 603-823-5336 or 603-823-5275 harwrw@aol.com Seasonal Sugar Hill Historical Museum is closed for the season. The museum will reopen on May 31, 2013 with a new exhibit entitled “The Cookery” that will feature aspects of historic kitchens, equipment and recipes. Two new cookbooks featuring local recipes will be featured in the museum gift shop. For membership and other information, please contact Curator Kitty Bigelow at 603-823-5275..

			Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium St Johnsbury, VT Tel: 802-748-2372 See planetarium shows, natural science displays, and artifacts from around the world.

			Littleton Historic Museum Main & Cottage Street, Littleton, NH 603-444-6586 Seasonal Contains a diverse display of memorabilia and photos, depicting two centuries of area history.

Franconia Notch Region Chamber