Strafford News

Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on September 1.

DOVER, N.H.— Dover400, a committee of residents organizing Dover’s 400th Anniversary, continues its virtual lecture series on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 7:00PM with an online presentation about the origins and collections of Dover’s Woodman Museum. 

The Woodman Museum was founded in 1916 from a trust established by Annie E. Woodman. The four historic houses that make up the campus include:

• The Woodman House (1818) houses a large collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils, an extensive display of taxidermy specimens including animals of all sizes, marine life, birds, and butterflies, and the War Memorial Rooms on the third floor.
• The Damm Garrison House (1675), housed under the protective white canopy mid-campus, is the oldest house in Dover and displays over 800 artifacts from the colonial era.
• The Hale House (1813) holds an eclectic collection of diverse objects which detail the social, economic, cultural, and industrial history of Dover.  Formerly the home of Abolitionist U.S. Senator John Parker Hale, the home also includes some primary examples of early seacoast-built furniture and related artworks.
• The Keefe House (1825) contains a small library, as well as the Thom Hindle Art Gallery and museum offices. The adjoining barn displays early examples of Dover carriages and tools.

The presenter for this month’s webinar is Mike Day, Operations Director for the Woodman Museum. Day, a lifelong resident of the area, has a background in teaching and carpentry and began volunteering at the Museum as a docent in 2011. He was hired as a Tour Guide in 2013 and was promoted to Operations Director in 2017, after an apprenticeship with former curator Thom Hindle. Day’s decade-long service at the Museum has resulted in updated displays, refreshed exhibits, and creative programs which have attracted many new visitors. 

Each Dover400 presentation is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. To sign up for the September 14, 2021 lecture, please RSVP on www.Dover400.org. 

The earlier eight lectures in the series (presented January through August) can be viewed online if you missed them. The presentations cover early Dover history from the 17th to 19th centuries and can be found here: https://dovernh.viebit.com/index.php?folder=Dover400 or on the Dover400.org website.

Upcoming lectures in the monthly series include:

• Downtown Dover during the early 20th Century
• Dover’s service in the two World Wars
• Movie event: “Voices From the Cemetery” ---filmed at Pine Hill Cemetery 2020

Dover400 is currently underway with two fundraising campaigns, “$400 for 400”, an effort to solicit 400 donors at $400 to celebrate Dover’s 400th Anniversary; and the “The 1623 Society” with membership available for a donation of $1623.  All proceeds will support the activities planned throughout 2023. Donations may be sent to Dover400, 24 Chestnut St., Dover, NH 03820. For more information, please visit www.Dover400.org.

About 

Established in 1623, Dover was the first permanent settlement in New Hampshire.  Dover400 is a group of appointed volunteers gathered to plan and organize the City’s 400th birthday celebration which will include historical reenactments, fireworks and parades, school involvement, souvenirs and more. 

Dover400 is comprised of enthusiastic citizens from diverse backgrounds who are all committed to one purpose: ensuring a Dover is recognized and celebrated for this momentous event. Members include Kevin McEneaney, Chair; Sam Allen, Vice-Chair; Nicole Desjarlais-Paulick, Secretary; Kathleen Morrison, Treasurer; Deborah Ballok; Cathy Beaudoin; Bob Carrier; Angela Carter; Guy Eaton; J. Andrew Galt; Zachary Koehler; Tom Massingham; Karen Weston; Sam Crane; Kerry Berry; and Stephanie Bolduc.

Original source can be found here.