Programs

Audio Visual

HSCC currently offers five educational slide/tape programs. These self contained programs run from 15 to 18 minutes each and are accompanied by study packets with teacher's guide. Each of these programs focus on a specific aspect of Cheshire County or New Hampshire history.

The Friendly Tavern
This program discusses the history of the lodging industry in Cheshire County, from the taverns of the 1700s to the bed and breakfast inns of today.   Multi Era 3 to 10

Covered Bridge Ramblings
This program traces the history and development of covered bridges in New Hampshire.   Multi Era

The Little Red Schoolhouse
This program tells the story of schools and education in Cheshire County from the 1730s to 1876.   Multi Era 2 to 6

When Johnny Comes Marching Home
This program examines Cheshire County's involvement in the Civil War on the home front and on the battlefield.   Era 5

Steel, Wheels and Track
This program explores the history of the railroad in Cheshire County.   Multi Era 1840s to 1940s

All five Audio Visual programs were made possible by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Fund.

Video

Out of the Storm
This 60 minute video documents a part of the aftermath from the 1938 hurricane, and the experiences of West Virginians who came north to help salvage trees in the Monadnock region.   Era 8

The Abenaki of Vermont: A Living Culture
This 28 minute video is a unique contemporary view of Abenaki people that focuses on the objects they make and the things they do that connect them to the traditions of their forebears, their history, and their values that guide their lives. An extensive teachers guide accompanies the video.   Era 10

New England's Great River: Discovering the Connecticut
The 410 miles of Connecticut River valley has a rich history. This one hour video explores some of this history: from the Algonkian people who fished its waters and farmed its fertile lands for thousands of years, to the French and English who fought for supremacy over it in Colonial times.   Multi Era

Audio

Gluskabe Stories
This 80 minute audio cassette by Joe Bruchac offers mainly traditional Abenaki stories that were told only from September to May to insure that during the busy summer people were working and not dreaming. The stories were used to entertain, yet also to pass along important cultural values to both children and adults.   Era 1

Living History and Classroom Presentations

Captain Isaac Wyman: Stories from 1790
Captain Wyman will visit your classroom to talk about life in Keene and Cheshire County around 1790, including stories on the Wyman Tavern and tavern life, life of children, the war for independence, changes that occurred since his arrival in Keene in 1762, and the Vermont and New Hampshire land controversy.   Era 3

The Home Front During World War II
Jim Ross grew up in the region and remembers what life was like at home and in school during the World War II years. He shares his experiences in your classroom on rationing, air raid drills in schools, blackouts at night, and the sense of togetherness during the war. This program is offered in association with the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire that focuses on life at home during World War II.   Era 8

The 1890s: Depression and Gold Fever
Frank Barker was born and raised in Keene and lived through the Depression of 1893 and went off to seek wealth and adventure during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898 in the Yukon Territory of Canada. Tom Haynes, HSCC's Director of Education will talk about the 1890s and how the depression effected life in Cheshire County and the country, and will retell Barker's adventures during the Klondike Gold Rush from his photographs and letters.   Era 7

For further information or to reserve any of these educational programs for classroom use or schedule a living history or classroom presentation, please contact the Director of Education, Tom Haynes, at 352-1895, dired@hsccnh.org, or by visiting HSCC at 246 Main Street in Keene.