Woodman Museum

Woodman Museum A traditional twentieth century natural science, local history and art museum that opened in 1916. Woodman to: “Engage minds. Ignite curiosity.

The Woodman Museum was founded in 1916 from a trust established by Annie E. Provoke thought., “Educate, excite, and inspire current and future generations about . . . a changing nation by preserving and exhibiting objects of historic significance, decorative and fine art, and natural science that connect Dover and its citizens to . . . the world.” A visit to the Woodman offers an intimate and pers

onal opportunity for visitors to explore and experience history, natural sciences, and the arts. On the grounds of the Woodman Museum you will find the oldest Sycamore Tree in Strafford County, a Medicinal & Industrial Garden designed and installed by Strafford County Master Gardeners and a functioning Rain Garden installed several years ago in cooperation with Soak NH, the EPA, NHDES, Strafford County Master Gardeners and other local volunteers. The four historic houses that make up the campus include:

The Woodman House (1818) holds the Museum’s collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, and taxidermy specimens (animals, aquatic life, birds, and butterflies). The Damm Garrison House (1675), the oldest house in Dover, contains 800 artifacts from the colonial era. The John Parker Hale House (1813), aside from telling the story of one of America’s foremost Abolitionists and ally of Abraham Lincoln (and whose daughter, Lucy was engaged to John Wilkes Booth), informs visitors of the socioeconomic history of Dover, primarily from the 19th century mills and textile designs that traveled the world. The Hale House also includes, on its second floor, some primary examples of Portsmouth furniture and related art and artifacts. The Keefe House (1825) contains our library, where we store our collection of the city records of Dover, as well as the Thom Hindle Art Gallery and our offices. The Woodman Museum is a tax exempt organization. The total amount of your contribution is tax-deductible except for the fair market value of offered benefits. Our tax ID # is 32-0586434.

08/12/2026

This week's highlights objects that belonged to Interim Senator Maurice Murphey of Dover, New Hamphsire.

This Tuesday, August 11th, head to Street 360 in Exeter, New Hampshire for a Community Night in support of the Woodman M...
08/09/2026

This Tuesday, August 11th, head to Street 360 in Exeter, New Hampshire for a Community Night in support of the Woodman Museum! Mention us and 20% of your meal price will be donated to the Museum!

08/05/2026

This week's highlights an 1800s menu from an oyster house here in Dover, NH.

07/29/2026

This week's highlights a sphinx stamp seal from Ancient Egypt!

07/22/2026

This week's highlights a set of advertising cards from L. Beach Jr. & Co's Laundry and Toilet Soaps, which manufactured here in Dover!

07/15/2026

This week's highlights two helmets from the 1935 National Soap Box Derby!

Reminder that those interested in participating in our short oral history film in partnership with the City of Dover NH...
07/09/2026

Reminder that those interested in participating in our short oral history film in partnership with the City of Dover NH remember the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we will be filming at the museum tomorrow during museum hours.

The Woodman Museum opened a new exhibit on Sunday, July 5, featuring artifacts from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including pieces of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"Our Community, Our Memories: Dover Remembers the Tragedy of September 11th" is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum. The exhibit highlights the work of retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. John Fischer of Dover, who served as a responder at Ground Zero after the attacks. It features photographs and equipment Fischer collected during his time there, along with a piece of steel from World Trade Center 1 and a stone capstone from the Pentagon.

As part of the exhibit, the Woodman Museum is partnering with the City of Dover to record oral histories from Dover residents about where they were on Sept. 11 and what the day means to them. Filming will take place Friday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum. The recordings will be featured in a video accompanying the exhibit and the city's new 9/11 Memorial.

Those interested in participating may contact the museum at [email protected].

07/07/2026

This week's takes a look at an early 20th century surveyor's compass used to create a historic map of Dover, NH.

Address

182 Central Avenue
Dover, NH
03820

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+16037421038

Website

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