WINNIPESAUKEE WEDNESDAYS An educational lecture series on lake history.  Free and open to the public.

• Wed., May 28   7:00pm “The Libby Museum” Presented by Ms. Patricia Smith, Libby Museum Director.

This natural history museum located in Wolfeboro has collections representing the wildlife found around the lake and in the New England area, an assemblage of Abenaki Indian artifacts, and many unique items from all around the world which are a part of Dr. Henry Libby’s original collection.  Hear the story behind the collections by the museum’s director.

• Wed., June 25  7:00pm “The Northern Railroad” Presented by Kenneth Cushing

Hear about the Boston & Maine Line from Concord to White River Junction from historian and author, Kenneth R. Cushing, including the effect of snowstorms, floods and other disruptions and the interaction of trains within communities.  Cushing encourages guests to share their information, images, and stories as he continues to research the Northern Railroad for an upcoming book on the subject.   He has previously published “Isinglass, Timber & Wool,” the history of Grafton, NH, in which he lives. When not pursuing his passion for history, Mr. Cushing is busy restoring automobiles at his autobody repair business in Grafton.

• Wed., July 16  7:00pm “Lady of the Lake - The River Queen of Winnipiseogee” Presented by David Warren

Steam power transformed the tiny settlement of Lake Village (now Lakeport) into a major industrial complex in the mid-1800’s.  The arrival of the railroad and the resulting boom in commerce prompted construction of the Lady of the Lake, the first successful steamboat on Winnipiseogee Lake.  Ship Modeler David Warren from Melvin Village will discuss the fascinating history of the Lady, from her charter in 1848 to her final rest at the bottom of Glendale Bay in 1895.  We’ll also look at his new model of the Lady on display at the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum through August 30th.

• Wed., Aug. 6  7:00pm  “Digging into Native History in New Hampshire” Presented by Robert Goodby, Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology, Franklin Pierce College. 

The Abenaki lived around the Lake before the white settlers.  Their history has been reduced to near invisibility as the result of conquest, a conquering culture that placed little value on the Indian experience, and a strategy of self-preservation that required many Abenaki to go “underground,” concealing their true identify for generations to avoid discrimination and persecution.  Archaeological evidence shows their deep presence here, inches below the earth’s surface. A NH Humanities Council program.

• Wed., Sept. 10   7:00pm “The Downing Family of Alton Bay” Presented by Nancy Downing Merrill & Jonathan Downing.

The Downing Family has a long history on the lake and has played an important part in its heritage.  Learn directly from the family and view original images from the family’s collections of Downing’ s Boat Yard, Winnipesaukee House, Legionnaire speedboats, Busy Corner Store and Downing’s Landing.   

• Wed., Oct. 8 TBA

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

• Classic Car Cruise Nights

Every Monday Night in July & August.  6:00 to 8:00pm.  Located in the parking lot behind the Lake Winnipesaukee Museum.  50/50 Raffles, giveaways, music.

 

• 2nd Annual Weirs Summer Arts & Crafts Festival - Sat., July 26 & Sun., July 27 

Arts, crafts, specialty foods, live music. Rain or Shine. Free. A Castleberry Fairs & Festivals Production.

 

• Cruise the Lake with LWHS on the M/S Mount Washington - Date:  TBD

Join LWHS for a cruise on board the historic motorship. Details TBA.

 

• Off-site Lecture & Display - Mon., Sept. 8

Selections from the LWHS Collections, presented at the Thompson-Ames Historical Society, Gilford, by Ann W. Sprague, LWHS Executive Director