A century ago, the covered bridge was a ubiquitous part of New Hampshire's landscape. Fire, flood and progress have destroyed 90% of them so that only slightly over 50 remain. Take a virtual tour of some of the state's past and present covered bridges while learning about their designs, the craftsmen who built them, how the bridges met their demise and the efforts to preserve those which remain.

The Currier Museum of Art is the legacy of two generous people, Moody and Hannah Currier. Learn the story of how Moody Currier rose up from obscurity to become Manchester's Renaissance Man -- a successful educator, lawyer, banker, politician, poet and scholar of languages. His wife Hannah, a former schoolteacher, shared his vision that their fortune be used to create a museum of art that would enrich the lives of local citizens. The tour will include a walk through the museum to learn about its architecture, including the fine classical-revival structure that opened in 1929, preserved as the heart of the building. Afterwards the group will take an architectural tour through the surrounding neighborhood. Everyone is encouraged to have lunch in the Winter Garden Café and visit the galleries on their own.

This class begins by exploring the German occupation of Denmark, its rescue operation to Sweden and the postwar reintegration. White discusses the factors shaping Danish attitudes towards its Jewish neighbors and what was different about the Nazi policy in Denmark. The second session concentrates on the German occupation of France covering such topics as Vichy collaboration, the French resistance, life in Paris and its liberation, as well as exploring the significance of the rising tide of antisemitism, the appeal of authoritarian leaders in France and Marine Le Pen's defeat in 2017.

We'll explore two more sites on Boston's Freedom Trail: the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House. The Old State House is famous for its role in the aftermath of the Boston Massacre, and the Old South Meeting House is well known as the place where angry protesters gathered to carry out the Boston Tea Party. However, there are many more stories associated with these sites. We'll look at the fascinating stories of the buildings themselves, and then explore the stories of people associated with them. They include: James Otis, Jr., a brilliant orator who led opposition to British policies while battling mental illness; Dr. Joseph Warren, a very influential patriot leader who tragically was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill; and Phillis Wheatley, a slave who became the first published African American poet. It is not necessary to take Freedom Trail Stories Part 1 before taking this course, since the two courses focus on different sites and different people.

Post cards have many a story to tell about the built landscape, disastrous events such as fires or floods, daily folk customs, and the identity of place. During the golden age of the post card, before telephones, personal messages could contain anything from the mundane, "Having a fine time, wish you were here..." to more profound reflections on family life or colorful portraits of towns and cities from the perspective of newly-landed immigrants. Learn how to study the local history of any city or town through vintage post cards.

Enjoy food, films and traditional costume as you learn about Korea. The presentation will include two documentary films. One will focus on King Sejong the Great, a truly enlightened monarch from the 15th century Korea. His motto was, "The duty of a king is to love his people. That is all." With this belief, King Sejong initiated numerous cultural achievements and scientific inventions to improve the welfare of his people. The other film illustrates the modern-day achievements of Korea. Following the program, traditional Korean meals will be served in Bangjja Bronzeware. This is one presentation not to be missed.

Mythology tries to answer the most difficult and the most basic questions of human existence. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? To the ancients, the meaning of the story was more important than the literal truth of a tale. The objective of this class is to explore the way in which myths express the beliefs and values held in certain ancient cultures.

Have you ever heard of Margaret Knight, Harriet Dame, Maude Hood or Nellie Brown? These women of NH dared to challenge the norms expected of women at the time. Margaret Knight invented objects and held 87 patents, the first of which she developed when she was 12. Harriet Dame was a nurse in the Civil War and gave comfort at both the Battle of Bull Run and Gettysburg. Maude Hood in 1893 was the first female Century Rider and Nellie Brown, a biracial woman from Dover, was called the "Queen of Song" in 1924. And the list goes on and on, women of New Hampshire's stalwart nature carving their own ways to make lives better for themselves, their families and their communities.

This course is an interactive exploration of aviation with a look at the history and lore of this field as well as a layman's exploration of the scientific principles that underpin it. This class emphasizes the role that NH residents have played in aeronautics from the time of hot air ballooning to the space age. Our two-hour museum visit is designed to change people's minds about aviation and restore some of the wonder and excitement that's gone missing in recent times.

One of the most fascinating topics in American history is the Underground Railroad, the secret network which assisted fugitive slaves as they escaped to freedom. We'll focus on the period 1830 to 1860, beginning with a national overview and progressing to the Abolitionist Movement and Underground Railroad activities in New England, particularly MA and NH. Learn about the courageous individuals, many of whom are not well known, who played a significant role, and re-evaluate some common assumptions about the Underground Railroad.

This tour continues where the tour of September 14, 2019 left off - but anyone can sign up! Manchester's Valley Cemetery was one of the first romantic "garden cemeteries" developed in the United States during the Victorian era. Tour through this historical landmark which serves as the resting place for such fascinating people as portrait painter Edward L. Custer; early mill girl and psychic Eliza Eaton; beloved black washerwoman Samantha Plantin; locomotive maker and philanthropist Aretas Blood and his wife Lavinia who helped the city's poor and destitute; and Mary Elliot, benefactor of the Elliot Hospital. Participants will visit some of the most beautiful mausoleums in the cemetery as well as some of the most modest stone markers. The walk will cover some rough and hilly ground; please wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the gate on Pine Street.

The impressive mile of brick mill buildings along the banks of the Merrimack River in Manchester is a legacy of the 105-year existence of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. A legend in the history of manufacturing in America, this innovative corporation developed Manchester as a planned industrial city on a large scale. Author Aurore Eaton will present fascinating episodes from the Amoskeag's history drawing from her book "The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company: A History of Enterprise on the Merrimack River." Themes will include engineering, labor history, immigration, architecture - and textile, steam fire engine, and Civil War rifle musket production.

This educational tour of the Millyard Museum, housed in Mill No. 3 at the corner of Commercial and Pleasant Streets in the historic Amoskeag Millyard, features the permanent exhibit, Woven in Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls. The exhibit tells the story of Manchester and the people who have lived and worked here. The story starts with the native peoples who fished at Amoskeag Falls 11,000 years ago and continues with displays on the area's early farmers and lumbermen, and the beginnings of industry in the area. It then focuses on the story of the development of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. This powerful corporation would become one of the largest textile producing companies in the world, employing over 17,000 people, including immigrants from many countries. The company's vast brick millyard still dominates the cityscape today. The story continues into the 20th and 21st centuries, as innovative businesses flourish in the city and new groups of immigrants come to Manchester to start new lives.