New Hampshire Heritage Lecture Series: Preserving the Golden Age of Boats

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With nearly 1,000 lakes within its borders, New Hampshire has a strong connection to boats, whether used for fishing, transportation, sport, or recreation. Native Americans and early colonists relied on canoes and plank boats, while Granite Staters in the 19th century took to steam and sail to navigate the lakes that dot the landscape. Many villages and towns were even oriented toward lakefronts for the convenience of boaters and fishermen, particularly after New Hampshire became a summer tourist destination. The advent of automobiles in the 20th century brought even more vacationers to New Hampshire’s waterways, leading to a golden age of hand-crafted, wooden boats built with elegance and equipped with engines that promised speed and maneuverability. Join Martha Cummings, executive director of the New Hampshire Boat Museum, to learn about the Granite State’s boating culture and the effort to preserve it on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. The New Hampshire Heritage Lecture Series highlights the stories behind the state’s many historic and cultural attractions.