Using New Hampshire's History to Connect Communities
The stories we haven’t heard shape the connections we’re missing. Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire brings those stories to life, helping us uncover a more complete and truthful history. From walking tours led by our expert Sankofa Scholars to interactive events and self-guided explorations, every experience inspires understanding, belonging, and action. Join us in creating bonds of understanding for stronger, more inclusive communities.
Sobering and eye-opening, the Black Heritage Trail forces us to question those we have traditionally considered heroes, and to elevate those who have been marginalized instead.
Programs
More Than Just a Trail
Black New England Conference
Juneteenth Celebration
Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks Series
Frederick Douglas Statewide Readings
The Black Matter is Life Poetry Series
Spring Symposium
Upcoming Events
Prince Whipple and the 1779 Petition
Sankofa Tour Guide: Stanford Cross
What did freedom mean to those who were denied it at the very moment a nation declared its independence?
This powerful walking tour brings to life the story of Prince Whipple—an enslaved African who became one of Portsmouth’s most influential Black leaders.
Through immersive storytelling, you’ll hear about Prince’s role in the fight for freedom, from the bold signing of the 1779 Petition of Freedom to his service in the New Hampshire militia during the Revolutionary War. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into the contradictions of a nation debating liberty even as slavery remained deeply woven into daily life.
As the tour moves through Portsmouth’s historic streets, you’ll visit his family home and the Ladies African Charitable Society School, founded by his wife Dinah to educate Black children and strengthen the community.
You will also discover a lesser-known side of Prince Whipple as a respected organizer and event manager whose influence extended into Portsmouth's social and civic life.
Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.
Port of Entry: Boys and Girls for Sale
Tour Guide: Nur Shoop
Navigate the streets of Portsmouth and gain a news perspective on a history often left untold.
Led by our high school Sankofa Scholars, this powerful walking tour centers the lives of enslaved children—boys and girls whose youth did not protect them from being bought, sold, or forced into labor.
As you visit the waterfront, wharves, and auction sites connected to the Atlantic Slave Trade, you’ll hear stories that reveal how young many were when their lives were defined by exploitation—traded for “cash or good lumber” and forced to serve in homes, on docks, and at sea.
What makes this experience especially moving is who tells the story. Our youth guides bring forward the voices of children from the past, creating a powerful connection across generations and inviting deeper reflection on freedom, humanity, and responsibility.
This is not just a history lesson—it is a shared moment of truth-telling, led by the next generation.
Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.
Exploring Dover’s Black History Tour
Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Jenny Tibbits (they/them)
Town: Dover, NH
Dover is steeped deep in rich Black history. On this tour, you'll hear about the people enslaved by the Waldron family and how the cotton mill built in Dover fueled slavery in the South. You'll discover the Brown/Mitchell family: Nellie Brown Mitchell (renowned Black opera singer), her brother Edward Brown, (lawyer, who submitted to Congress a petition for a national anti-lynching bill and first Black justice of the peace in New Hampshire), and her husband Charles Mitchell (Civil War hero and first Black person elected to the Massachusetts legislature).
Join us to discover their amazing stories of community, resilience, and courage.
Meeting Place: Woodman Museum | 15 Summer St, Dover, NH.
Tours
Visit Historic Sites
Sankofa Scholar Guided Walking Tours
Discover the real, unbiased history with one of our signature guided tours conducted by a well-trained, experienced guide.
Self-Guided Tours
Take a self-guided audio tour to learn about Portsmouth’s Black heritage, right on your phone.
Expanded Walking Tours
Expanded walking tours extend beyond Portsmouth to historic locations across New England.
Virtual Tours
Experience New Hampshire's Black history from the comfort of your home.
Private Tours
Looking for a more personalized experience? Request a guided tour for your group.
Explore
Marker Sites
Visit Black history marker sites throughout New Hampshire.
NH Black History Stories
Read about little known historic figures from New Hampshire's African American community.
Educational Resources
Engage with materials for educators, students, and families to facilitate learning about Black history.
Preserve Black History in New Hampshire