A monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters!
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A monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters
In this season of gratitude, we thank you.
"Live a life full of humility, gratitude, intellectual curiosity, and never stop learning." -Gza
An important update from our Executive Director
New Hampshire Humanities: We are still here!
Dear Friends,
As we enter the start of our new fiscal year this month, I have one thing to say about New Hampshire Humanities for 2026 and that is – we are still here!
We are still here DESPITE unprecedented changes in our relationship to the National Endowment for the Humanities which, after 50 years of successful partnership, canceled our contract in April, effectively halving their financial support of the humanities in New Hampshire for 2025.
We are still here DESPITE the reality that the UNCERTAINTY around federal planning for 2026 requires us to prepare for ZERO federal funding for the humanities in New Hampshire next year.
We are still here BECAUSE of the brave choices the NHH staff and Board of Directors made in the face of these uncertainties – building our budget for 2026 at half the budget of 2024, reducing our staff size by almost a half and reducing our programming budget by around one third. We made these choices to prepare the organization for another 50 years serving you, the people of New Hampshire, with or without the federal government.
We are still here BECAUSE the humanities – history, culture, literature, ethics, and so much more – are still vital to the strength of the communities of the Granite State. We still believe in the mission of the humanities and that we owe it to the state of New Hampshire to continue this work, with or without the federal government. Keep reading
Check out some of our newest Humanities to Go programs!
Humanities to Go – our longest-running program – is evolving to meet today’s funding challenges while continuing to bring engaging, high-quality presentations to communities across New Hampshire. Libraries, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations can book old favorites and our new lineup of programs. To learn more about the updated booking process, visit www.nhhumanities.org/htg.
Some of the new programs that have been scheduled:
Welcome our Robot Overlords! Living with AI Presenter: James Kelly, Wednesday, November 19, 6:00 pm Francestown Town Hall, 2 New Boston Road, Francestown DETAILS
The Ethics of AI Presenter: Kiki Berk, Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 pm Paul Memorial Library, 76 Main Street, Newfields DETAILS
AI to Wearables: Humanity at the Heart of Health Care Technology Presenter: Maria Sanders, Thursday, December 4, 6:00 pm Kimball Library, 5 Academy Avenue, Atkinson DETAILS
What's The History of Your House? Presenter: Erin Moulton, Wednesday, December 10, 6:00 pm Lincoln Public Library, 22 Church Street, Lincoln DETAILS
For other upcoming programs, click below:
"What’s the Big Idea?" is the NHH blog highlighting Granite Staters' experiences and perspectives in the humanities– from local roots to global ideas. We hope these stories frommany voices will ignite conversation and big ideas, helping shape our understanding of what it means to be human. Join us as we delve into New Hampshire’s culture, history, and contemporary issues, while reflecting on what it means to live a life enriched by the humanities.
At a Rural Crossroads: Smithsonian Exhibit Sparks Local Reflection
By Katie Umans
When the Smithsonian’s Crossroads: Change in Rural America exhibit arrived at the Museum of the White Mountains at Plymouth State University, it looked a little like a band was rolling in for a rock concert, says Meghan Doherty, outgoing director of the museum–sixteen black cases of various shapes and sizes on wheels, complete with a 40-page installation manual.
But instead of drums and amps, what emerged from the cases were intricate frames and panels from the Smithsonian Institution, which developed their Museum on Main Street program to provide small-town America access to their research through traveling, ready-to-install exhibitions. The Museum of the White Mountains was selected this past year by New Hampshire Humanities as one of three host sites in the state for the Smithsonian’s 2025 Crossroads exhibit, developed to explore what happened when America’s rural population began rapidly declining (18% of the country’s population in 2010, down from 40% in 1900).
While some of the artifacts reproduced by the Smithsonian, including a reproduction of a Thomas Cole painting of the Willey House in Crawford Notch, reflected the very local landscape, “big sections felt like they had nothing to do with” life in the western White Mountains, admits Doherty. “The promotional material had very midwestern iconography,” rural life represented by two “dead flat dirt roads that meet with a tree at their center... That’s someone’s rural life, but that’s not my rural life.”
To make this content more relevant to local visitors, the museum developed a companion exhibition, The White Mountains: A Crossroads, to explore the same themes of land, community, identity, persistence, and managing change in the context of the western White Mountains. The exhibit was displayed from late May through early September and included pieces loaned by the NH Historical Society as well as local historical societies and private collections. Keep reading
Be a part of something BIG! Join New Hampshire Humanities’ US@250: Big Watch
New Hampshire Humanities is accepting applications for US@250: The Big Watch until November 21, 2025. Similar to our previous Big Reads, this will enable communities across New Hampshire to engage in a conversation around a shared experience – in this case a shared viewing of a section of Ken Burns' The American Revolution, followed by a facilitated discussion of how we remember our shared history. Big Watch participants will also receive $300 toward their own intergenerational commemoration of the 250th. Communities can select from our list of availableresources, or suggest their own event/project. Please see ourUS@250 Big Watch call for proposalsfor more information. Applications are due Friday, November 21.
This program is a collaboration with NH Public Broadcasting.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
To everyone who attended, sponsored, presented, or supported the event in any way– thank you. We’re grateful for the hundreds of friends and partners who came together to champion the humanities in New Hampshire. Your energy and enthusiasm made the evening truly special.
Relive the night and enjoy highlights from photographer Deb Cram’s beautiful work by viewing the event photos on Facebook HERE.
Watch your email for notices about when the program will be rebroadcast on your local NHPBS channels!
(Above: Akhil Reed Amar and Laura Knoy in conversation about Amar’s latest book, Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840-1920, at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord for our 2025 Annual Celebration of the Humanities)
Giving Tuesday is December 2!
‘Tis the season to be generous!
Celebrate this season of reflection and gratitude by supporting New Hampshire Humanities’ year-round, free programs with a gift (or an additional gift) during Giving Tuesday on December 2, midnight to midnight.
“I have seen people walk into a program not knowing each other, enter a conversation, and not want to leave at the end. This is essential work.”
~Emily Archer, Connections adult literacy facilitator and monthly donor
Whether you're passionate about history, literature, civic dialogue, or cultural understanding, this is your moment to make a difference.
Be a part of the most generous day of the year and support New Hampshire Humanities on December 2nd!
P.S. Can't wait? You can alwaysgive here. Thank you!
If you haven't yet read our Fall Engage!, click the image. Highlights:
If you missed our Annual Celebration last month, watch for when it will be rebroadcast on NHPBS
Learn about Jane C. Nylander, this year's Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities Award recipient
"Books Opening Doors" tells the story of how Poornima Shankar found a sense of belonging through the Connections program
Read about David Parker's legacy of championing education & culture
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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