Lectures
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All in-person programs will be held at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park Street, Concord, unless otherwise noted.
Virtual Lecture: Granite State Stories: Part 3
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 7 p.m.
In honor of the New Hampshire Historical Society’s 200th anniversary in 2023, Society staff have been touring the state and sharing a collection of stories that capture the iconic spirit of New Hampshire. Now, we’re bringing this program to Society members in a series of virtual lectures. Each of the Granite State Stories talks this winter will feature two different topics. This third and final lecture of the series will explore the tales of Benjamin Champney and Chippa Granite. This program, conducted via Zoom, is free for Society members, $5 for nonmembers. Register through Humanitix.com.
Lecture and Book Signing: Grappone Automotive: The Founding, by Amanda Grappone Osmer *FREE*
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 2 p.m.
In the hill country of southern Italy in the late 1800s, two families—the Grappones and the D'Orlandos— were eking out an existence as their ancestors had for generations. One, tied to the land, farmed in the heat of the sun. The other cut and carved stone, passing the skill of masonry down through the centuries. Both looked to America for a better life. In the New World, their families came together and purchased a small filling station in New Hampshire, just as the automobile craze took off in the 1920s. From these seeds grew the Grappone Automotive Group, the largest collection of car dealerships in the state. Join Amanda Grappone Osmer as she presents the remarkable story of 100 years of this quintessential tale of the American dream. This program is free, and copies of Osmer’s book will be available for sale and signing at the event. No registration is required.
Lecture: Batter Up! The Legacy of New Hampshire’s Draper & Maynard Factory, by Louise Samaha McCormack
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 2 p.m.
In the early part of the 20th century, the Draper & Maynard Company of Plymouth was one of the largest producers of sporting goods in the country. Although the company made a wide variety of gear for all sorts of sports, it was with baseball that Draper & Maynard really made a name for itself. In fact, in 1916, Babe Ruth and several of his teammates visited Plymouth shortly after the Red Sox won the World Series, an indication of how important Draper & Maynard’s products had become to professional athletes. Join Professor Emerita Louise Samaha McCormack from Plymouth State University to learn more about the company that helped shape modern sports in America and pioneered the idea of sports marketing. Admission is free for Society members, $10 for nonmembers. No registration required.
Lecture: Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution, by Mary Adams
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 2 p.m.
New Hampshire often gets overlooked in the narrative of the American Revolution, overshadowed by its noisy neighbor to the south. Nowadays, few people know about Paul Revere’s first ride, which was to Portsmouth in December 1774 to warn the patriots that the British were coming to reinforce Fort William and Mary, five months before the Redcoats marched on Concord and Lexington. Nor do they know that two-thirds of the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill were from New Hampshire. Most people are also unaware that New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress adopted the first state constitution in January 1776, making no mention of royal authority and essentially declaring independence from Great Britain six months before anyone else. And this is just the beginning of New Hampshire’s revolutionary story. Join Society staffer Mary Adams as she explores New Hampshire’s contributions to the American Revolution just in time to kick off the 250th anniversary celebrations. Admission is free for Society members, $10 for nonmembers. No registration required.
Elizabeth Dubrulle
Director of Education & Public Programs
603-856-0604
edubrulle@nhhistory.org
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