Calendar of Events

The Monadnock region of southwest New Hampshire has more than 250 years of education history. Early New England settlers carried to the region religious and cultural ideas that included the importance of schooling. Establishing and maintaining an educational system, however, whether in the rustic conditions of the late 18th century or in today's high tech culture is no easy task. The issues over districting, competent teachers, school funding, property taxes, curriculum, state funding, school boards, state or federal mandates, and quality administrators are headlines in the papers today as they have been throughout the region's long education history.

Although it sometimes feels the rhetoric and politics of education overshadow the real work of providing children with a quality education, the importance of schooling has remained consistent throughout the region's history. The exhibit traces this history from the days of classes held in the homes and barns of the first settlers to the modern public school classrooms of the early 20th century. Topics covered include education laws, the life of the teachers and the students, the classroom, school architecture, textbooks and curriculum, private academies, transportation, and much more.

To learn more about the exhibit, please visit our Museum Exhibits page. The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region will be on view in HSCC's Exhibit Hall through July 2, 2010 during regular museum hours.

Saturday - March 6, 2010
Exhibit Gallery Walk of The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region will begin at 10:00 a.m. in HSCC's Exhibit Hall. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - March 10, 2010
Teacher Research Night. The Director of Education will be available between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. to work with any educator who would like to integrate local history into their lesson plans or curriculum through the use of primary resources in the HSCC library and archives. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes by email or at 352-1895.

Friday - March 12, 2010
"In the Shadow of Monadnock" will be a Local History Class taught at HSCC through Keene State College's Cheshire Academy of Lifelong Learning. The class will explore the history of southwestern New Hampshire from the time of glaciers to the present. Within this chronological survey of the regions history, specific topics will be explored in greater detail, such as Native Americans, the Civil War, Mt. Monadnock, agriculture, immigration, industry, and transportation. The class will be enhanced through the use of historic photos, documents, artifacts, and audio-visual presentations, and conclude with a historical walking tour of downtown Keene. The class will meet at HSCC on Friday mornings beginning March 12 through April 30, 2010 from 10:00 to 11:20 a.m. Registration is through Keene State College's Continuing Education Program or at 358-2290.

Wednesday - March 17, 2010
Exhibit Gallery Walk of The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region will begin at 7:00 p.m. in HSCC's Exhibit Hall. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Friday - March 19, 2010
HSCC will host a one-day Detective Camp on "The Mystery of the Lost Chest." HSCC has in its archives some letters that refer to a lost chest that is believed to contain valuables. It will be the detective's job to figure out all the clues to this mystery and to locate the lost chest. The camp is open to all detectives between the ages of 9 and 14. Cost for this day of snooping around is $25 for HSCC members and $35 for non-members and is limited to 12 detectives. Each participant needs to bring their lunch, drink, and snack for the day.

Registration is required. To register or for further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - March 24, 2010
In association with the current feature exhibit The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region, Chris Pratt of Sullivan will examine the history of the Sullivan schools as a case study of the evolution of a town's school system. His presentation will focus on how the development of schools was influenced by such factors as geography, educational trends, and changing cultural views of schools and education. This Exhibit Program begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Saturday - April 3, 2010
Exhibit Gallery Walk of The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region will begin at 10:00 a.m. in HSCC's Exhibit Hall. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Friday - April 9, 2010
HSCC will host a one-day Technology and Design Camp from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The development and use of precision technology has a long history in the region, going back to the 1830s and the J.A. Fay & Co. making machinery for the woodenware industry in Keene. This tradition has been carried forward by many firms in the region. Campers will visit two of these firms in Keene that design and use precision technology. Using information gathered from each visit and additional investigations into design technology, campers will design and construct two projects to help find solutions to two technological problems using a variety of materials and tools.

This day-long camp is open to all students between the ages of 9 and 14. Cost for this fun and creative day is $25 for HSCC members and $35 for non-members and is limited to 12 children. Each participant needs to bring their lunch, drink, and snack for the day. Registration is required. To register or for further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - April 14, 2010
Teacher Research Night. The Director of Education will be available between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. to work with any educator who would like to integrate local history into their lesson plans or curriculum through the use of primary resources in the HSCC library and archives. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - April 21, 2010
In association with the current feature exhibit The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region, HSCC will host an Exhibit Program on "A Hundred Years of Training Teachers," that will explore the history of Keene State College from its roots as a Normal School to its current role in the community.

This program begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.rogram begins at 7:00 p.m.

Monday - April 26, 2010
HSCC Annual Membership Meeting will be a program by Marcia Schmidt Blaine on "A Woman That Keeps Good Order": Women, Tavern Keeping, and Public Approval. The program will explore the life of Ann Jose Havey, who became the owner of a prominent colonial Portsmouth, New Hampshire tavern when her husband died. For at least twenty years, Ann Harvey ran the increasingly prosperous tavern while supporting seven children. The program will offer an exploration into the operations of a colonial tavern and the life of a female tavern keeper, and offering insight into the operations of our own Wyman Tavern.

HSCC's annual membership meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The program is supported by a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities Council. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.rogram begins at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday - May 1, 2010
Beginning May 1st, HSCC will be open on all Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Saturday - May 1, 2010
Exhibit Gallery Walk of The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region will begin at 10:00 a.m. in HSCC's Exhibit Hall. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Tuesday - May 4, 2010
The Wyman Tavern Museum will be open for spring tours by appointment. To schedule a tour or for further information, please contact Tom Haynes by email or at 352-1895.

Friday-Saturday - May 7-8, 2010
HSCC's Annual Used Book Sale Fundraiser.

Tuesday - May 11, 2010
Play Ball!  7th Annual Trip to Fenway Park. Spring training and the 2010 baseball season will soon be in the news. We have been successful in securing Red Sox tickets once again. This year's game is on Tuesday, May 11th against the Toronto Blue Jays. The bus will leave HSCC at 3:30 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. game time. Seating for this year's game will be in two sections. Tickets for the Outfield Grandstand Section 10 will be $65.00 for HSCC members and $70.00 for non-members. Tickets for the Right Field Roof Box Section 27 will be $85.00 for HSCC members and $90.00 for non-members. Ticket costs include game admission, transportation, and a $10 donation to HSCC's educational programs. To secure your ticket/s, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - May 12, 2010
Teacher Research Night. The Director of Education will be available between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. to work with any educator who would like to integrate local history into their lesson plans or curriculum through the use of primary resources in the HSCC library and archives. For further information, please contact Tom Haynes by email or at 352-1895.

Wednesday - May 19, 2010
"The One Room Schoolhouse Story Circle" will be an Exhibit Program in association with the current feature exhibit The Nursery of Liberty: Schools and Education in the Monadnock Region, that will give anyone, teachers or students, an opportunity to share their one room schoolhouse experiences to be remembered and preserved. This program begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For further information, please contact HSCC by email or at 352-1895.