A monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters!
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A monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters
2026 Annual Celebration of the Humanities October 1 | BNH Stage | Concord
How can we navigate rapid technological change while strengthening our democracy and our shared humanity? Join us October 1 at BNH Stage in Concord for the 2026 Annual Celebration of the Humanities and an evening of timely conversation, big ideas, and connection!
Featuring Jenn White, host of NPR’s 1A, with special guests Lawrence Lessig, Roopika Risam,and Fr. Philip Larrey, this year’s celebration will explore democracy in the age of AI through the lenses of history, philosophy, digital humanities, culture, and society.
Whether you’re a longtime humanities supporter or joining us for the first time, come be part of the conversation!
*Want to make your Annual Celebration experience even more special?Join us for the VIP Reception before the Annual Celebration on Oct. 1 – and help support humanities in New Hampshire. See the ticket page or our message at the bottom of this enews for more details!
The Big Watch was a BIG hit!
What did we learn from presenting over 80 Big Watch events around the state this spring and summer? Granite Staters are hungry for meaningful conversation and connection!
As one participant in US@250: Big Watch shared, “Any opportunity…to have real conversations like this is an antidote to the dis-integration many of us feel.” This sentiment clearly resonated statewide, as more than 1,300 attendees gathered in 46 communities for US@250: Big Watch programs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution while connecting with one another and reflecting on our shared history.
Photos: (top) Big Watch facilitator David Alcox at the screening and discussion at Newbury High School. (Above left) American Revolution reenactment in Newfields, and (above right) a young participant at a Big Watch community event in Moultonborough.
Our Declaration, Our Constitution: Securing the Blessings of Liberty at 250
September 17 at 5:30 pm Rudman Center-UNH School of Law 2 White Street, Room 282, Concord
This Constitution Day, 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, join us to explore the connection between these two foundational documents: the system of rights and responsibilities they established, the promises they made, and the history of our struggle to live up to their ideals.
This event is presented by the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership, and Public Service in partnership with New Hampshire Humanities.
Community Conversations are back! Come curious, leave connected...
After a successful pilot in 2025, Community Conversations returned in 2026 through a partnership between New Hampshire Humanities and the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority. These free, facilitated gatherings bring neighbors together to share ideas, strengthen community connections, and inspire local action.
At each event, NH-based cartoonist, musician, and educator Marek Bennett will live-draw as neighbors and strangers gather for wide-ranging conversations about the big ideas that shape our lives. Each conversation begins with a few open-ended questions…
Artwork by Marek Bennett – follow Marek's event sketchbooks at www.MarekBennett.com!
Whether you've lived in your community for decades or just arrived, you're invited to join the conversation and help imagine what's possible together.
KEENE: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 am Keene Public Library, 60 Winter Street Facilitator: Courtney Marshall Details
SWANZEY: Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am Pilgrim Pines Retreat Center, 220 West Shore Road Facilitator: Simohamed Defaa Details
BRISTOL: Saturday, September 12, 1:00 pm Tapply-Thompson Community Center, 30 N. Main Street Facilitator: Joshua Tepley Details
*Make your Annual Celebration experience even more special!
Join us for the VIP Reception before the Annual Celebration on October 1 – and help support the humanities in New Hampshire!
Your VIP ticket includes a special pre-show reception at the League of NH Craftsmen Headquarters, just across the street from the celebration. You’ll have the chance to meet Jenn White, Roopika Risam, Fr. Philip Larrey, and Lawrence Lessig, enjoy live demonstrations and gallery exhibits, and connect with fellow humanities champions.
Most importantly, your VIP ticket supports free public humanities programs for all Granite Staters!
On Sept. 21, Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will deliver the keynote address at the First Amendment Awards at the NH Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, Manchester. The evening will also celebrate Howard Brodsky, chair and co-founder of CCA Global Partners, who will receive the Quill & Ink Award for his commitment to advancing First Amendment education in New Hampshire through the Brodsky Prize for Excellence in High School Journalism. Details
NH Book Festival volunteers needed
Each year, more than 100 volunteers are the engine that propels the NH Book Festival (NHBF) through two days of activities. If you’d like to meet the authors or meet bookish new friends, NHBF would love your help. Most shifts last for three hours, and there are both indoor (the Capitol Center for the Arts) and outdoor (tents on Main Street) opportunities. All volunteers receive their very own NH Book Festival t-shirt. Click to learn more
The Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies Workshops
A free info session, "Building the Next 250 Years: Hosting Community Conversations at Your History Organization," will be held on August 19 at 3:00 pm EST, about a new resource created by NxtLevel in collaboration with AASLH. The resource offers practical guidance for history organizations interested in hosting thoughtful, community-driven conversations about local history, shared values, and the future we want to build together. Register here
Thank you to the following Annual Partners who provide year-round support for our work:
New Hampshire Humanities appreciates your help in growing engagement on all our platforms! Join our community of those who are passionate about the humanities by sharing this content by email or on social media, and thank you!
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