Lakes region is home to fine art and American history museums

Carpenter Museum of Antique Outboard Motors

PO Box 459 Gilmanton, NH 03237 Phone: 603-524-7611

Open: By appointment only

Unique exhibits feature the outboard motor from its inception to the present day. Donations are accepted.

Lake Winnipesaukee Museum

Route 3 Laconia, NH 03246

Open: year-round, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The museum property is a historic landmark and represents an era which changed the way Americans spent their summer vacations --- an example of the tradition of hospitality vital to the area’s history and economy since the 1800’s. The property was purchased in 1923 by David O’Shan, who first had a poultry farm on the site. The museum building is the original residence and the yellow cottages nearby are part of the original cabin colony. One of the buildings is from the former Shangrila Resort.

Museum of Childhood

2784 Wakefield Road Wakefield Corner, NH 03872 Phone: 603-522-8073

Open: Late May-early September, Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

This museum specializes in the history of child life and children's items in New England. Exhibits feature thousands of dolls, sleds, a one-room school and more. Cost: Adults, $3; children under age 9, $1.25.

New Hampshire Boat Museum

395 Center St. Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896 Phone: 603-569-4554

Open: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.

The museum features many of the finest examples of vintage mahogany and antique boats, including; Garwood, Chris-Craft, Century, Dodge, Penn Yan, Lyman and Hacker, on a rotating basis. There are runabouts, race-boats, canoes, guide boats, and sail boats. Whether you are an outboard, steam, paddle or sail enthusiast, the displays, enhanced with archival photos, trophies and models, bring to life a truly grand era of boating. Cost: Adults, $5; seniors, $4; students. $3.

New Hampshire Farm Museum

Route 125, Plummer’s Ridge Milton, NH 03851 Phone: 603-652-7840

Open: April through October.

The Farm Museum consists of the historic Jones Farm and the Plummer Homestead. The properties consist of 50 acres of field and forest, a working farm, historic houses and barns, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and exhibits on agriculture and rural life. The museum hosts special events, programs, and workshops.

Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm

58 Cleveland Hill Road Tamworth, NH 03886 Phone: 603-323-7591

Open: Year-round, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. except major holidays; summer hours are July 8–October 7, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

The chores and traditions of agricultural and domestic life are presented in self-guided exhibits in the museum’s Visitor Center, as well as through interactive education programs and workshops. The Visitor Center houses father and son’s medical equipment. The animals and crops we raise are used in historic cooking programs. Seasonal activities like ice harvesting and maple sugaring are celebrated during special events. The Remick family’s Tamworth connection is preserved in a nearly intact collection of family artifacts in the Captain Enoch Remick House, Dr. Remick’s boyhood home, as well as painted wall murals from the early 19th century. Exhibits change with the seasons. Cost: Admission is free.

Sandwich Historical Society Museum

4 Maple Street Center Sandwich, NH 03227 Phone: 603-284-6269

Open: For tours late June 24-early October 6, Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

This museum offers a barn and home built in 1850. Inside, exhibits trace the history of Sandwich from the 18th century. Of particular interest is the transportation exhibit.

Tuftonboro Historical Society Museum

Route 109 Melvin Village, NH 03850 Phone: 603-544-7225

Open: July – August, Monday-Friday, 2-4 p.m.

Exhibits in this museum focus on local history. Admission is free.

Whipple House Museum

4 Pleasant Street Ashland, NH 03217 Phone: 603-968-7716

Open: July- Labor Day, Wednesdays and Saturdays,1-4 p.m.

This site was the home of Dr. George Hoyt Whipple, who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Inside visitors will find information about him, his family and the area. Museum exhibits include period rooms and local history displays.Of particular interest is the Glidden Toy Museum, which features over 1000 items. Cost: Admission is free.

Wolfeboro Historical Museum Complex

337 South Main Street Wolfeboro, NH 03894 Phone: 603-569-4997

Open: July- August. Wednesday-Friday, 10am-4pm.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; tours by appointment spring and fall

A collection of historic exhibits and structures includes the Clark House (built in the 18th century), an 1805 schoolhouse, and a firehouse museum featuring antique machinery. There is an admission fee.

Wright Museum

77 Center Street Wolfeboro, NH 03894 Phone: 603-569-1212

Open: May 1-October 30, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4p.m.

A museum of history, focusing on the American home front during World War II (1939-1945). Exhibits feature information, memorabilia, costumes, vehicles, and more. There are three distinct buildings: the Home Front and theater, the two-story educational building or Visitor's Center and the military building which houses memorabilia from all branches of service from WWII including a large collection of military vehicles from this era. Cost: Adults, $6; seniors and veterans, $5; students, $3