Visiting “Arts Heaven”: The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters

Andy Mack Jr. - GSA, League of NH Craftsmen Class 2012
Did you know that one of the top organizations for fine craft in the country can be found right here in New Hampshire? Formed in 1932 to help craftspeople make a living during the Depression, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen is now widely recognized for its high standard of craft, the creativity of its members and the excellence of their work.

An arts destination, the League headquarters is on Main Street in Concord, NH, right in the midst of an art “heaven” of sorts; sharing the same city block as the Capitol Center for the Arts and the independent Red River Theaters. Housed inside a beautiful, green-engineered building, called the “Smile” building, League visitors will find plenty to smile about inside and out. Impressive artwork is everywhere. A towering, totem-like moose figure made of interwoven sticks stands guard in front of the entrance. Inside, ever-changing galleries display some of the very best craft New Hampshire has to offer. On a recent visit an arching bench, made from a single piece of wood by master woodworker, Jon Brooks, was among the many extraordinary pieces on display. In the museum rooms, pottery, glasswork, metal work, carvings, furniture and mixed media celebrate the true art that comes from the hands of master craftspeople. It’s hard not to “ooo and ahh” when you visit the gallery, which also hosts numerous educational events, demonstrations and exhibits.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen may be best known for holding one of the largest and most prestigious craft events in the country: the Craftsmen’s Fair, held each year in August, at the foot of Mount Sunapee.

Should you want to take home some of New Hampshire’s finest craft, two-tenths of a mile north of the Smile building is the League’s Concord retail store, one of 7 such stores that can be found around the state.To find out more about the League, the Fair, or for news of new gallery exhibits, openings, and demonstrations, log onto www.nhcrafts.org

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Andy Mack Jr. is not only a Granite State Ambassadors and NH native, but he grew up on his family apple farm in Londonderry NH. He is a former radio broadcaster and program director with over 25 years of experience in marketing and promotions. He runs workshops on social media, marketing and promotions...and constantly works on creating local connections where small businesses, artists and charities can join forces to their advantage. www.andymackjr.com

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Designed for Children to Adults

By Jan Moe, Granite State Ambassador, Comfort Inn Airport, Class of 2011

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is a wonderful destination! I assumed before my visit that this was designed for elementary school children; I was only partially correct. It is designed for all of us...children, young adults, adults, and NHGSAs!

The Discovery Center has added a Navy plane; a real test plane that traveled to NH by flatbed and was brought into the Center by taking out the nine large windows at the end of the building. Alan Shepard flew a similar plane before heading to space.

I was a bit concerned when our tour took us into the planetarium at 2 pm. Could I stay awake in a dark room with comfy chairs? No problem. The program, Tonight's Sky, displayed the night sky for THAT evening in NH. The knowledgeable presenter made it was fascinating. It was doubly fascinating when I took the dog out for a walk that evening & sure enough, the moon, Orion, The Big Dipper, planets were all waiting for me to just look up!

Thanks again to NHGSA and The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center for an enjoyable afternoon. It will be a pleasure to recommend this delightful Center to our NH guests!

Exploring New Hampshire's Capitol

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999; Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If your idea of traveling through Concord, New Hampshire is flying by the exits on Interstate 93, then you’ve never really been to Concord. Probably best known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Concord Coach, Concord became the state capitol in 1808, and is an exciting city that’s rich in history, culture, education, and heritage. Downtown Concord is a hub of unique shops, restaurants, and historic sites. When you do visit Concord, plan to spend a day or two and don’t miss these interesting stops:

All rights reserved by New Hampshire Historical Society

The State House: Located in the center of town on North Main Street, the capitol building is the oldest one in the country where the legislature still meets in its original chambers. Take a tour and see the legislative body in session. As you walk the hallways, note the portraits of past Governors on the walls.



The Museum of NH History: Contained within Eagle Square, the museum is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring how the state was born. Exhibitions include a birch bark canoe, a simulated fire tower, and of course an authentic Concord Coach. Take time to browse through the extensive gift shop; you’ll find plenty of books, maps, and historically significant items.

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center: Named for Alan Shepard, who was the first man in space, and Christa McAuliffe, the first private citizen in space, the center is New England’s largest air

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and space museum. Families love the planetarium shows and other events. The center is located at 2 Institute Drive.

The State Library: Situated at 20 Park Street, the library is an attraction in itself. Resources and services include catalogs, online databases, a Family Resource Connection, and even an ‘Ask a Librarian’ service for research questions.

For more information about what there is to see and do in Concord, please visit the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce website.

Kaleidoscope Museum: Charming Place for Creative Play

Submitted by Judy Greer
Church Landing / Lakehouse Grille Class of 2004





One of the stops on our recent Manchester tour was the Kaleidoscope Museum, housed in the Millyard Buildings at 250 Commercial Street, Suite 1004.

What an absolute delight! I find myself thinking of everyone who has kids between the ages of 9 months and 6 to 7 years that I could kidnap for a day to take there.
We walked in to this huge bright space with all these wonderful areas to play, including a pirate ship, a climbing wall, a pizza kitchen, a puppet theatre and many more.

Here the children can play and be as creative as they wish, with no TV or video games. Mothers can bring their own food to this facility and stay all day with their little ones if they wish. The best part is that Mom’s are free.



The owner, Michelle Carignan, is a dedicated, creative person to come up with this unique idea. She will provide birthday parties if you wish along with other parties. Often there are special events going on that are just all part of the admission.

If you have little ones, you owe to them to visit this charming place.

Big History in "Little Canadas"

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If you’re like me, your grandparents, and maybe even your parents, came to New Hampshire from Canada. I still remember my Grandmother telling me how she moved to New Hampshire from a farm in Quebec, and how she worked in the manufacturing mills as a teenager. Because so many French people immigrated here during the industrial revolution, New Hampshire had lots of cities and towns that began forming neighborhoods nicknamed “Little Canadas.” The French had a huge influence on the heritage and culture of many families, and our website is proud to feature a brand new Franco-American Itinerary that’s designed for folks who want to explore their French heritage in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
looking up the Merrimack River, Manchester, NH;
from a 1911 postcard by Alphonso H. Sanborn.
Electronic Source: Wikipedia

The tour is centered in Manchester, as the Queen City was once home to the largest mill complex in the world, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. It features dining establishments that offer classic French dishes on their menus, organizations that center on educating visitors about the Franco-American culture in New Hampshire, and other points of interest directly related to the influence that the French-Canadians had in the Granite State.

Although the itinerary centers on Manchester, there are many other communities throughout New Hampshire that still carry remnants of a strong Franco-American presence within their architecture, their restaurants, and most of all, their people.

Please visit http://www.visitnh.gov/uploads/itineraries/franco-american-tour.pdf to read or download this fun and educational itinerary. Bon Voyage!

Four Homes, One Tax Bill, and Endless History

By Lorry Young, Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

The Woodman Institute Museum located in Dover, NH offers four buildings to explore ...Woodman Home Galleries, Hale House, Damm Garrison, and Keefe House and Carriage Barn. I found this to be a very entertaining, and educational way to spend two hours in New Hampshire. Below is a short synopsis of this very interesting tour to explore in NH.

The Damm Garrison is a well preserved 300 year old house that is now a museum with a collection of over 800 items. Period artifacts enable museum visitors to experience colonial Dover.

The Woodman Home is quite unique with an extensive collection of rocks and fossils, Indian Artifacts, Mammals and Marine Life, Birds and Butterflies, Snakes and Turtles, and a Doll lovers collection. The top floor is a Memorial Museum, including a saddle used by President Lincoln.


The Hale House has a collection of art and period furniture circa 1800. The furniture collection includes a desk used by Dover's first Mayor, Andrew Peirce, and a table used by Rev. Jeremy Belknap where he wrote "A History of New Hampshire".

The Keefe House has more than 7,000 historical and genealogical documents including wills dating back to 1741 - even a 1771 tax bill from King George.

The Museum is open to the public 12:30-4:30 P.M. Wednesday through Sunday, except holidays, and is closed December 1 through March 1.