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603 History Hunt

WHAT IS THE 603 HISTORY HUNT?

The 603 History Hunt is a statewide scavenger hunt for the State of New Hampshire. Created by the New Hampshire Historical Society, it is one of several programs and events organized to mark America’s 250th birthday in 2026.

The 603 History Hunt presents players with a series of challenges. There are dozens of challenges players can choose—all related to New Hampshire’s Revolutionary past. Some can be completed from just about anywhere in the state, while others are tied to a specific location within New Hampshire. Challenges may ask players to complete a variety of tasks, such as film a video, take a photograph, or answer a trivia question. A point value is attached to each challenge. Players choose which challenges to complete and how many challenges they want to undertake, and they earn points accordingly.

Prizes are awarded based on points earned. Throughout the month of July, players can check the Leaderboard to see how they are doing compared to other players.

WHEN IS THE 603 HISTORY HUNT?

This scavenger hunt runs for one month, beginning at 8 a.m. EST on July 1 and ending at 11:59 p.m. EST on July 31, 2026.

WHO CAN PLAY?

Participation in the 603 History Hunt is free and open to the general public. Players do not need to be members of the New Hampshire Historical Society. Employees of the New Hampshire Historical Society and their immediate family members are welcome to participate but are not eligible for prizes.

Participants play as individuals, but feel free to tackle challenges with the help of family and friends. The more the merrier!

Players must be 13 years of age or older. Children under the age of 13 are welcome to participate with an adult.

HOW DO YOU PLAY?

Players participate in the 603 History Hunt via the free 603 History Hunt app, available in the Apple App Store (iPhones) or Google Play Store (Android phones). You will need a device with you to complete the challenges—a phone or tablet—so make sure you download the app to the device you will be using to play.

Download the app and open it to access the game. Open the tile marked “603 History Hunt.” You will be prompted to download the game and then enter a player name and email address. We will use this email address to communicate with you about prizes, so please remember it!

The game displays as a map of New Hampshire. Each map pin is a challenge or set of challenges. You can zoom in and choose where the adventure takes you! Tap the title of the challenge on the pin to open it and play for points.

Challenges offer the opportunity to play later or skip. Please note that if you choose to skip, you cannot complete the challenge or earn points. If you choose to play later, you can close the challenge and return to it later.

ARE THERE PRIZES?

There are two categories of prizes:

  • Participation Prizes: For players who meet certain benchmarks for points
    • 500 points: 603 History Hunt keychain
    • 2,500 points: 603 History Hunt beach towel
  • Competitive Prizes*: For players who have the highest number of points at various stages during the hunt
    • Yankee Doodle prize—for the player with the highest number of points at 11:59 p.m. on July 4: 4 tickets for a sail in Portsmouth Harbor with the Gundalow Company (2 adults and 2 kids)
    • Red, White, and Blue prize—for the player with the highest number of points at 11:59 p.m. on July 15: 2 tickets to Canobie Lake Park in Salem
    • Pine Tree Riot prize—for the player with the third highest number of points when the hunt ends: 2 tickets on the Mount Washington Cog Railway
    • Fort William and Mary prize—for the player with the second highest number of points when the hunt ends: Family pass to Strawbery Banke plus 2 tickets to either the Ghosts on the Banke (October) or Candlelight Stroll (December)
    • Battle of Bennington prize—for the player with the highest number of points when the hunt ends: 2-night stay at Waterville Valley Resort (mid-week stay, in a three-bedroom Town Square condo)

* Please note that some restrictions on prizes apply.

Participation prizes will not be available until the end of the hunt, and we will notify players when their prizes can be picked up, either at the New Hampshire Historical Society (Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or at the ice cream social (see below). The New Hampshire Historical Society will not mail participation prizes. Participation prizes will only be available through August 29, 2026, and must be picked up before then.

Competitive prizes will be handed out at the ice cream social (see below). If prize winners are not present, the Society will contact them to arrange delivery of their prize.

DID SOMEONE MENTION ICE CREAM?

All participants are invited to attend a free ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the New Hampshire Historical Society, located at 30 Park Street in Concord. Enjoy a scoop of ice cream, collect prizes, and visit the exhibits at the New Hampshire Historical Society. We will contact players in July with more information about the ice cream social.

DOES IT COST MONEY TO PLAY?

It is free to participate in the 603 History Hunt. This scavenger hunt is not a fundraiser. The New Hampshire Historical Society created it as a way to celebrate New Hampshire’s Revolutionary heritage and to encourage people to explore the state. None of the challenges require players to pay admission fees, but players are responsible for paying any costs incurred by their participation, including gas, transportation, food, lodging, technology, etc. In addition, if players choose to visit any of the locations (museums, parks, etc.) they come across during the course of the 603 History Hunt, they are responsible for any associated costs.

RULES AND DISCLAIMERS

Please remember that the purpose of the 603 History Hunt is to have fun and learn more about the state’s history surrounding the American Revolution. We encourage all players to participate with these thoughts in mind. We hope players enjoy this activity with friends and family, discover new and wonderful things about New Hampshire, and have a great time!

In addition to the information already provided, please bear in mind the following rules, which we have instituted to keep everyone safe.

  1. Do not break any laws while participating in the 603 History Hunt. Doing so is grounds for disqualification. None of the challenges involve breaking any laws. If you think you cannot complete a challenge without breaking a law, please don’t! And contact us immediately for clarification.
  2. Do not venture onto private property to complete any of the challenges. All of them were designed for public places to which people should have easy access, although some of the challenges may require players to visit only during a location’s open hours. Please check a location’s website before visiting to make sure it will be open when you are there.
  3. Play fair. We want everyone to have a good time and an equal opportunity to complete the challenges. We ask players to keep their competitive instincts in check so they don’t ruin the 603 History Hunt for others.
  4. All challenges should be completed during the month of July 2026. Please do not upload photos or videos from earlier visits at a location.
  5. If there are any questions or disputes about players’ participation or the completion of any challenges, the determination made by the New Hampshire Historical Society will be final. Furthermore, the right to remove any players from the app who are exhibiting concerning or disagreeable behavior is at the discretion of the New Hampshire Historical Society.

Below is information about some of the types of places players will be asked to visit when completing challenges. Note that participants of the 603 History Hunt will visit all sites and undertake all activities at their own risk. In addition, many of the locations on the 603 History Hunt are of natural and historic importance in New Hampshire or are places of commemoration, so please treat them with respect.

Please use your best judgment when visiting all locations and completing all tasks.

DISCLAIMER: Players who choose to participate in this scavenger hunt agree to release and hold harmless the New Hampshire Historical Society from any and all personal injury, death, property damage, or loss incurred while engaged in the 603 History Hunt.

QUESTIONS?

For any questions or concerns, please contact us at:
New Hampshire Historical Society
603-228-6688
education@nhhistory.org