Black Heritage Trail of NH: Can Tourism Deliver a Valuable Message
There were literally hundreds of roadside attractions located along the nation’s blue highways years ago. These promised everything from the world’s largest ball of string to a Redstone rocket. Most travelers were unaware that a treasure-trove of significant cultural artifacts was a day’s drive from where they were passing.
One organization that has worked tirelessly to share an authentic part of the state’s legacy is the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH). Founded as a Portsmouth entity in 1996, under the leadership of Valerie Cunningham, the organization exists to raise public awareness and appreciation of the vital role African-American culture has played in shaping New Hampshire.
