New Hampshire Now Has Its Own Smithsonian Story

When you hear the word "Smithsonian", does your mind wander to Washington, D.C.?

The Smithsonian National Museum is a marvel compilation of 17 museums in the the D.C. area, including the Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, American History Museum, and American Art Museum.

It's a destination for students, families, and those with a curious mind.

Although the Smithsonian National Museums are far from New England, the Granite State just became another source of history affiliated with the national museum.

Portsmouth's Strawbery Banke Museum has officially become a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is the only museum in New Hampshire to garner that honor.

With over 200 affiliates, the Smithsonian spreads its roots further out to communities rich in history.  The credential of being a Smithsonian Affiliate brings many resources, such as traveling exhibits, public programs and workshops, lectures by Smithsonian scholars, youth programs, and borrowing artifacts, according to strawberybanke.org.

Interim Director of Smithsonian Affiliates, Tricia Edwards, says,

Our new relationship with Strawbery Banke Museum means we can reach and spotlight more New England communities to inspire a deeper understanding not only of the region but of our world. We are delighted to have them join our network of Smithsonian Affiliates.

This is good news for New England and other New England museums, as the spotlight shifts to understanding and talking about our shared history.

Strawbery Banke is the Portsmouth neighborhood called Puddle Dock.  The museum follows hundreds of years of history, from the Abenaki and Indigenous Peoples of thousands of years ago, to present day.

Well done, Strawbery Banke Museum.