What’s Happening

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Freedom Historical Society Presents “The Mammoth Road: New Hampshire Folk Tales as an Avenue to Local History and Culture” on Wednesday, May 20

A program made possible by a grant from New Hampshire Humanities.

Folk tales are passed from one generation to another – often embellished by time and teller. For example: “Ethan Crawford was as tall as Mount Washington. He could carry at least seven men on his back!” Yet, when we look at folk tales, the people who compile them, and the location from which they spring, we can access history in a new and entertaining way. Join us to hear and explore folk tales collected by the New Hampshire Women’s Federation (1932) and dig into local resources in search of truths. Was it tall tale or town history?

Erin Moulton, author and genealogist is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the New Hampshire Historical Society, the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists, and serves on the committee for the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.

The Freedom Historical Society is a non-profit organization that shares and preserves the stories of Freedom’s history. The public is invited to join us on May 20 at 7 PM to be part of an evening of shared stories, local history, and community connection. The program is free and will be presented in person at the Freedom Town Hall, 16 Elm Street. For more information or questions about the program, call (603) 491-8347.

NEW Exhibit Opening May 23!!

The Freedom Historical Society announces 2026 feature exhibit, “Summer Camps of Freedom: Then. Now. Always.”: the story of the town’s summer camps. The exhibit opens on Saturday, May 23, from 10 AM to 1 PM at Freedom Historical Society, 28 Old Portland Road in Freedom. After the launch, the exhibit will be open every Wednesday from 10 AM to Noon and every Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM.

For more than a century, summers in Freedom have been shaped by the laughter of children, the glow of campfires, the closing of the day with the soft notes of the bugle, and the haunting calls of loons across the water. Visitors will experience the rhythm of camp life and the deep, enduring roots of a shared legacy.

Of the 21 camps in Freedom since 1899, five are still active today. The remainder live on in memory and are part of Freedom’s shared legacy. This new exhibit will feature Freedom’s five active camps (Calumet, Cody, Huckins, Luethi-Peterson, and Robin Hood) plus two legacy camps (Cragged Mountain Farm and Wakuta). Volunteers of the Freedom Historical Society conducted research and interviews with representatives from these camps during the past winter and are pleased to share what they have compiled. Visitors will be encouraged to share their local camp experiences and provide additional photos and stories to add to our collective memory.

Kyle Thomas, Freedom Historical Society Co-President, emphasizes that “this exhibit is a dynamic, immersive exhibit, not merely a static display. Visitors will experience interactive content, hear sounds of summer camp, explore maps, and view historical photos and artifacts.” Kyle added that “this remarkable story of the town’s summer camps will continue to be told in 2027 with information and photographs highlighting the 14 additional camps that once operated here”.

Roberta MacCarthy, Freedom Historical Society Co-President, notes that “many current residents of Freedom were first introduced to the town through a local summer camp experience. Freedom’s camps are more than recreational spaces – they are a foundational part of our community. The exhibit brings this special part of Freedom history to life and ensures that the stories of camps in Freedom will endure for generations to come.

Additionally, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Freedom Historical Society will display stories about early Freedom settlers who participated in the Revolutionary War. There will also be an exhibit highlighting the Freedom Club of Boston, an organization that provided a beloved social network for several generations of people who had a deep personal connection to Freedom but were not full-time residents.

You will not want to miss these exhibits, so please join us to celebrate this local legacy!”

FHS Hours in 2026

The Freedom Historical Society is open every Wednesday from 10 AM to Noon and every Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM through October 12.

We will have special hours during Freedom Old Home Week, July 24 to August 2. The Museum will be open Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 1 PM.

If you would like a special appointment, email us at: fhsociety28@gmail.com and state your requested date and contact information.

To see details of prior FHS programs, click here.

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