Historic Sites In New Hampshire
Franklin Pierce Homestead
As one of the original 13 colonies New Hampshire has a well-woven history. Including the birthplace of our 14th president and one of the most celebrated native poets that the U.S. has ever known. The Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsborough, NH was built by the President’s father, a New Hampshire Governor, in 1804. The two-story hip-roofed structure served as his childhood home and is now a revered historic museum and state park right off Route 9.
Robert Frost Farm
In Derry, New Hampshire there stands a clapboard farmhouse famous for its nostalgic depiction in Robert Frost’s poem, ‘Mending Wall’. The Robert Frost Farm was the home of the celebrated writer from 1900-1911. Today the homestead is a historic museum that is open seasonally and hosts literary events throughout the year.
John Paul Jones House
Built in 1758, John Paul Jones House is a National Historic Landmark in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is the only existing building known to be associated with the American naval hero John Paul Jones, who lived there for two years wile overseeing the construction of the U.S.S. America, in 1781 and 1782.
Today, the Portsmouth Historical Society operates the house as a museum. Visitors can tour the house’s two galleries featuring rotating exhibits, and Portsmouth artifacts are displayed all around the house and in the surrounding gardens.
Portsmouth Harbor Trail
Celebrating more than 400 years of history, the Portsmouth Harbor Trail invites visitors to explore New Hampshire’s best walking city on foot. The trail passes by more than 70 historic Portsmouth locations, including 10 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and 10 more listed as National Historic Landmarks.
Visit from late June to early October to embark on tours like the Highlights Tour and walk through Portsmouth’s historic downtown while being regaled by stories of the town’s earliest settlers, patriots, ship builders, and entrepreneurs. There is a small fee for adults, but kids under eight can participate for free.
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
Located near Concord in New Hampshire, the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site preserves the summer home and working studio of famed late 1800's sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
The home is surrounded by a park, open space, and the Cornish Art Colony. In the summer, the compound is open to tours and visitors can browse through over 100 pieces of Saint-Gaudens' sculptures and life's work. In the winter, visitors are free to explore and spend time on the surrounding grounds.
USS Albacore
Visit one of the premier historical attractions in New Hampshire. The USS Albacore was an influential research submarine originally laid down in 1952 and is credited with pioneering the familiar teardrop hull configuration seen in modern submarines today.
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Albacore is the centerpiece attraction of Portsmouth, New Hampshire's Albacore Memorial Park.
Visitors can explore for themselves Albacore's unique interior and exterior formations and heard audio experiences from former crew members thanks to an audio tour placed inside and around the submarine. Don't forget to visit the Memorial Garden, which honors the sacrifices of the fallen submariners.