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
Not a Slave, yet not Free: Harriet E. Wilson and the Abolition Movement
Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: David Nelson
Town: Milford, NH
Special Bus Tour Cost: $35
Step into the life of Harriet E. Wilson, the first known African American to publish a novel in North America—and a woman whose story challenges what we think we know about freedom in the North.
In celebration of the 250th, this special bus tour extends beyond downtown to trace Harriet’s life across the broader landscape of her early years. Visit the site of her birth, the house where she lived, and other significant locations that shaped her journey—places not accessible on a traditional walking tour.
Born free in New Hampshire, Harriet was orphaned at a young age and bound into indentured servitude, where she endured hardship and isolation as she navigated a world that denied her true independence.
Through guided storytelling and reflection, you’ll encounter the experiences that inspired her groundbreaking novel Our Nig (1859)—a bold, deeply personal work revealing how the shadows of slavery extended far beyond the South.
You’ll also learn about Harriet’s life after publication—her struggle to survive as a widow, the heartbreaking loss of her son George, and her later work as a Spiritualist and public speaker, during which she shared her story on her own terms.
This is more than a literary history—it is a journey through place and time, tracing a life of resilience, voice, and truth-telling.
Meeting Place: The Oval in Milford, NH.
Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH
Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Sonya Arroyo
This tour follows the extraordinary story of Ona Marie Judge, a young woman enslaved by George and Martha Washington who made the courageous decision to free herself rather than remain in bondage to America’s First Family.
In the spring of 1796, Ona left the Washingtons’ executive mansion in Philadelphia with help from the city’s free Black community. She journeyed north to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she would build a new life amid the constant threat of capture.
As you walk through Portsmouth’s historic streets, you’ll trace Ona’s path to freedom, beginning at the harbor where she arrived and continuing through the neighborhoods and homes connected to some of the nation’s most prominent families.
Along the way, you will learn about the President's relentless efforts to capture her, and explore the networks of resistance, courage, and community that helped sustain her freedom.
Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.
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.
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