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November 2, 2025

Thirst for Freedom: From NH's Slave Trade to Its Civil Rights Movement

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Nur Shoop

Colonial Portsmouth newspapers testify to local involvement in the slave trade, runaway freedom-seekers, abolitionists, and anti-abolitionist activities, followed by conflicting opinions of the Civil War. In the 20th century, the legacy of that early history was reflected locally in newspaper reports of the struggles to end de facto segregation in housing, employment, and public places. This tour includes many of those historic landmarks from the early seventeenth through the twentieth centuries.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

November 1, 2025

Ain't She A Woman: Let Me Tell You Her Story

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Valerie Fagin

Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of a prosperous colonial seaport town? This interactive tour invites you to discover the world of past and present Portsmouth from the perspective of African-born and next generations of African American women. Learn how, in spite of enslavement and the burdens of racial discrimination, these pioneers of change fought for justice and freedom, defied a sitting United States president, and educated generations of children. Hear the stories and celebrate the resilience, versatility, and courage revealed in our shared seacoast his/herstory!

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 19, 2025

Prince Whipple and the 1779 Petition

Sankofa Tour Guide: Stanford Cross

Experience a unique journey into history on our Living History Tour. Get an intimate understanding of Prince Whipple, the brave men who stood with him in signing the Petition of Freedom, his personal insights into the debates for Independence, and his service in the NH militia. The tour takes you to significant sites of his life after freedom, including his family home and the First Ladies African Charitable School established by his wife Dinah. Discover the lesser-known side of Prince Whipple as an influential event manager.


Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 18, 2025

Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Sonya Arroyo

During President George Washington’s final months in office, a woman named Ona Marie Judge was enslaved in the household of the First Family. In the spring of 1775, she sought her freedom, escaping from the Washingtons' executive mansion in Philadelphia with the aid of that city’s free Black community and making her way to Portsmouth. On this tour, you will hear the true story of Judge’s quest for freedom and the President’s relentless efforts to get her back. See the waterfront where she lands and visit the properties of some of America’s most famous families: the Langdons, Whipples, and Lears, whose stories were also bound to hers.

 

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 12, 2025

Thirst for Freedom: From NH's Slave Trade to Its Civil Rights Movement

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Nur Shoop

Colonial Portsmouth newspapers testify to local involvement in the slave trade, runaway freedom-seekers, abolitionists, and anti-abolitionist activities, followed by conflicting opinions of the Civil War. In the 20th century, the legacy of that early history was reflected locally in newspaper reports of the struggles to end de facto segregation in housing, employment, and public places. This tour includes many of those historic landmarks from the early seventeenth through the twentieth centuries.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 11, 2025

On Saturday Night We Were Husband and Wife: The Black Family

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Dan Comly

Despite many obstacles, Black men and women — both enslaved and free — met, nurtured relationships, married, and built families. Learn about obstacles and how they were overcome. True stories about these families describe how Portsmouth’s community of African people and their descendants claimed their place as Americans.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 5, 2025

A Small New Hampshire Town Remembers Its Black History

Sankofa Tour Guides: Rebecca Courser & Lynn Clark 

We will meet at the Soldier’s Monument in Warner and carpool to the village of Waterloo where we will explore its Black history. The tour will include the village school, train station, Camp Newton (a summer camp for children whose parents were overseas missionaries), and homes that Black people worked in, owned, or rented. Employers Nehemiah Ordway, one time governor of the Dakota territories and U.S. Senator William E. Chandler summered in Waterloo and ties the little village into national politics. Bring a folding chair, water, and wear closed-toed walking shoes.

Meeting Place: Warner Town Hall | 5 East Main Street, Warner, NH

This tour will be from 1 PM to 3 PM. Please wear sturdy walking shoes.

October 4, 2025

Ain't She A Woman: Let Me Tell You Her Story

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Lionel Loveless

Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of a prosperous colonial seaport town? This interactive tour invites you to discover the world of past and present Portsmouth from the perspective of African-born and next generations of African American women. Learn how, in spite of enslavement and the burdens of racial discrimination, these pioneers of change fought for justice and freedom, defied a sitting United States president, and educated generations of children. Hear the stories and celebrate the resilience, versatility, and courage revealed in our shared seacoast his/herstory!

August 16, 2025

Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Sonya Arroyo

During President George Washington’s final months in office, a woman named Ona Marie Judge was enslaved in the household of the First Family. In the spring of 1775, she sought her freedom, escaping from the Washingtons' executive mansion in Philadelphia with the aid of that city’s free Black community and making her way to Portsmouth. On this tour, you will hear the true story of Judge’s quest for freedom and the President’s relentless efforts to get her back. See the waterfront where she lands and visit the properties of some of America’s most famous families: the Langdons, Whipples, and Lears, whose stories were also bound to hers.

 

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

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Past Tours

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August 16, 2025

Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Sonya Arroyo

During President George Washington’s final months in office, a woman named Ona Marie Judge was enslaved in the household of the First Family. In the spring of 1775, she sought her freedom, escaping from the Washingtons' executive mansion in Philadelphia with the aid of that city’s free Black community and making her way to Portsmouth. On this tour, you will hear the true story of Judge’s quest for freedom and the President’s relentless efforts to get her back. See the waterfront where she lands and visit the properties of some of America’s most famous families: the Langdons, Whipples, and Lears, whose stories were also bound to hers.

 

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 4, 2025

Ain't She A Woman: Let Me Tell You Her Story

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Lionel Loveless

Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of a prosperous colonial seaport town? This interactive tour invites you to discover the world of past and present Portsmouth from the perspective of African-born and next generations of African American women. Learn how, in spite of enslavement and the burdens of racial discrimination, these pioneers of change fought for justice and freedom, defied a sitting United States president, and educated generations of children. Hear the stories and celebrate the resilience, versatility, and courage revealed in our shared seacoast his/herstory!

October 5, 2025

A Small New Hampshire Town Remembers Its Black History

Sankofa Tour Guides: Rebecca Courser & Lynn Clark 

We will meet at the Soldier’s Monument in Warner and carpool to the village of Waterloo where we will explore its Black history. The tour will include the village school, train station, Camp Newton (a summer camp for children whose parents were overseas missionaries), and homes that Black people worked in, owned, or rented. Employers Nehemiah Ordway, one time governor of the Dakota territories and U.S. Senator William E. Chandler summered in Waterloo and ties the little village into national politics. Bring a folding chair, water, and wear closed-toed walking shoes.

Meeting Place: Warner Town Hall | 5 East Main Street, Warner, NH

This tour will be from 1 PM to 3 PM. Please wear sturdy walking shoes.

October 11, 2025

On Saturday Night We Were Husband and Wife: The Black Family

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Dan Comly

Despite many obstacles, Black men and women — both enslaved and free — met, nurtured relationships, married, and built families. Learn about obstacles and how they were overcome. True stories about these families describe how Portsmouth’s community of African people and their descendants claimed their place as Americans.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 12, 2025

Thirst for Freedom: From NH's Slave Trade to Its Civil Rights Movement

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Nur Shoop

Colonial Portsmouth newspapers testify to local involvement in the slave trade, runaway freedom-seekers, abolitionists, and anti-abolitionist activities, followed by conflicting opinions of the Civil War. In the 20th century, the legacy of that early history was reflected locally in newspaper reports of the struggles to end de facto segregation in housing, employment, and public places. This tour includes many of those historic landmarks from the early seventeenth through the twentieth centuries.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 18, 2025

Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Sonya Arroyo

During President George Washington’s final months in office, a woman named Ona Marie Judge was enslaved in the household of the First Family. In the spring of 1775, she sought her freedom, escaping from the Washingtons' executive mansion in Philadelphia with the aid of that city’s free Black community and making her way to Portsmouth. On this tour, you will hear the true story of Judge’s quest for freedom and the President’s relentless efforts to get her back. See the waterfront where she lands and visit the properties of some of America’s most famous families: the Langdons, Whipples, and Lears, whose stories were also bound to hers.

 

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

October 19, 2025

Prince Whipple and the 1779 Petition

Sankofa Tour Guide: Stanford Cross

Experience a unique journey into history on our Living History Tour. Get an intimate understanding of Prince Whipple, the brave men who stood with him in signing the Petition of Freedom, his personal insights into the debates for Independence, and his service in the NH militia. The tour takes you to significant sites of his life after freedom, including his family home and the First Ladies African Charitable School established by his wife Dinah. Discover the lesser-known side of Prince Whipple as an influential event manager.


Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

November 1, 2025

Ain't She A Woman: Let Me Tell You Her Story

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Valerie Fagin

Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of a prosperous colonial seaport town? This interactive tour invites you to discover the world of past and present Portsmouth from the perspective of African-born and next generations of African American women. Learn how, in spite of enslavement and the burdens of racial discrimination, these pioneers of change fought for justice and freedom, defied a sitting United States president, and educated generations of children. Hear the stories and celebrate the resilience, versatility, and courage revealed in our shared seacoast his/herstory!

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

November 2, 2025

Thirst for Freedom: From NH's Slave Trade to Its Civil Rights Movement

Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide: Nur Shoop

Colonial Portsmouth newspapers testify to local involvement in the slave trade, runaway freedom-seekers, abolitionists, and anti-abolitionist activities, followed by conflicting opinions of the Civil War. In the 20th century, the legacy of that early history was reflected locally in newspaper reports of the struggles to end de facto segregation in housing, employment, and public places. This tour includes many of those historic landmarks from the early seventeenth through the twentieth centuries.

 

Meeting Place: BHTNH Headquarters | 222 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH.

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Explore Programs

Connect with history and community through events and programs that inspire, educate, and celebrate the rich heritage of New Hampshire’s Black culture.

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Juneteenth Celebration

Join us for Juneteenth, the oldest known nationally celebrated event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

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Black New England Conference

Come back each year to engage with a different topic of African American culture, history, and experience.

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Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks Series

Engage with a series of panel discussions relating to New Hampshire’s Black history and African American culture.

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Frederick Douglass Statewide Readings

Deepen your understanding of the 4th of July with a reading and discussion of a speech by abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

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The Black Matter is Life Poetry Series

Examine the work of Black poets and explore the rich tradition and innovation found in African American poetry.

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Spring Symposium

Deep dive into a topic of African American history through interactive dialogue with local experts.

Preserve Black History in New Hampshire

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