Exeter Historical Society

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Exeter Historical Society Exeter, New Hampshire...we bring its rich history to life. We are a recipient of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Business of the Year Award!

For over 80 years the Exeter Historical Society has been collecting artifacts from Exeter’s past ... and its present. Our collections illustrate the town’s rich and fascinating history, its residents, and ultimately its place in the larger history of both the state and the nation. A non-profit organization, the Exeter Historical Society offers regular programs of local historical interest and is a repository for documents, maps, photos, artifacts, and other ephemera pertaining to Exeter, New Hampshire. We maintain a research library, act as a resource for genealogical research, co-sponsor historical events and publications, create exhibits hoping to encourage historic preservation, and document today’s events as the history of tomorrow.

10/16/2026

Playing (reading the juicy historical gossip from the primary sources) is always more fun than cleaning (cataloging and writing down the findings) 📖📜💻

10/10/2026

You heard our co-executive director! 📚 Now stop in, grab a book, and learn something new 🤩

10/10/2026

Did you get to see the Gundalow in Exeter this week? Our latest Exeter History Minute was supposed to be posted before the visit, but Facebook didn't cooperate, so enjoy more Gundalow content now that it has headed back to Portsmouth.

When it came to navigating the "cross-grained and wiley waters" of the Squamscott and Piscataqua rivers, traditional deep-keeled ships were not well suited to the job. In this episode, join Barbara as she uncovers the fascinating story of the gundalow and the unsung rivermen who knew every current. This Exeter History Minute is made possible by a grant from the Dan Brown Charitable Fund.

To learn more about Exeter as a seaport, watch our 2013 history minute: https://bit.ly/ExeterAsASeaportHM. To learn even more about Exeter history, visit our website, www.exeterhistory.org.

Join us on Tuesday, October 6th at 7 PM in the Historic Town Hall in downtown Exeter, NH as Chocolate maker Enna Grazier...
10/05/2026

Join us on Tuesday, October 6th at 7 PM in the Historic Town Hall in downtown Exeter, NH as Chocolate maker Enna Grazier discusses the history of chocolate in the colonies, and its specific connections to the Washington family who drank it daily. Enna will share the way the chocolate was prepared and enjoyed at the time, and those who attend in person will have the opportunity to taste Martha Washington's favorite chocolate beverage.

Can't attend in person? Watch live on Exeter TV or head to the Exeter Historical Society website to register to listen and participate in Q&A via Zoom. Links in the comments.

Questions about this post can be directed to Exeter TV at [email protected] or (603) 418-6425.

10/02/2026

The Gundalow is coming to Exeter!! ⛵️ Tune in to our YouTube channel for the Exeter History Minute on gundalows and Exeter as a seaport…coming soon!

10/01/2026

In 1779, twenty enslaved Black men from Portsmouth petitioned the New Hampshire legislature for their freedom. In 2013, New Hampshire granted the petition, posthumously emancipating the fourteen men who had not been freed during their lifetimes.

Learn more about the Freedom Petition and other New Hampshire stories in the full GRANITE STATE HISTORY MINUTE collection on YouTube and at NHPBS.org/history.

Created in partnership with American Independence Center, Exeter Historical Society and New Hampshire Historical Society.

Less than one week until Enna Grazier tells us about chocolate in the colonies, including Martha Washington’s favorite v...
09/29/2026

Less than one week until Enna Grazier tells us about chocolate in the colonies, including Martha Washington’s favorite variety! 🍫 Be at Exeter Town Hall at 7pm, October 6th for a taste…and yes, we do mean that literally! 🤤 You can also view this program on Zoom, just register on our website 🔗

Fabulous trivia night with Barbara as our quizmaster! Thank you to Sea Dog Exeter for hosting us🙏🏻 And a hip, hip, hoora...
09/29/2026

Fabulous trivia night with Barbara as our quizmaster! Thank you to Sea Dog Exeter for hosting us🙏🏻 And a hip, hip, hooray to our winning team, Beers for History! 🍻

09/23/2026

When a 1913 violin was returned to Exeter in 2025, it brought with it a century of untold stories. In this episode, Barbara uncovers fascinating tidbits about the craftsman who built it, and the woman whose music filled the Seacoast for over 50 years. This Exeter History Minute is made possible by a grant from the Dan Brown Charitable Fund.

To learn even more about Exeter history, visit our website, www.exeterhistory.org.

Address

47 Front Street; PO Box 924
Exeter, NH
03833

Opening Hours

Tuesday 2pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 2pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 12pm

Telephone

(603) 778-2335

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Exeter Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Exeter Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Share

Category