Plan Your Visit
Explore untold stories, guided tours, and nearby attractions. Start your journey into New Hampshire’s Black history with everything you need to plan your trip.
About Our Tours
Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire tours bring the region’s rich, often overlooked African American history to life. Led by our knowledgeable Sankofa Scholars, these experiences uncover inspiring stories of resilience, self-determination, and community service—stories that continue to shape who we are today.
Our themed guided tours offer a deeper understanding of New Hampshire’s true, inclusive history. Whether you’re connecting with ancestral roots or exploring the cultural tapestry of our state, each tour invites you to see history through a broader, more authentic lens.
Location
Unless otherwise stated, guided tours begin at our Visitor Center.
Group Size
Maximum of 20 participants per tour
Duration
Tours typically take 90 minutes.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour departs to ensure your spot. Late arrivals may be accommodated only if space is available.
Registration
Registration is required prior to taking tours. If you have not pre-registered, we will register you onsite only if space is available.
Cost
-
Walking Tours
$20 per person
$15 (with ID) for Seniors & Military
$10 Students
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.
Nearby Attractions
Enjoy a history-filled day in bustling, scenic Portsmouth.
Where to Stay
Historic hotel set in an 1881 Queen Anne mansion.
Newly rebuilt and renovated luxury inn.
Where to Eat
Cozy cafe and bar in historic downtown.
Chef-driven restaurant celebrating modern Mexican cuisine.
Where to Explore
Outdoor living-history museum and Smithsonian affiliate.
Uniquely intimate theatre located in the historic Portsmouth South End.
About Our Events
Connect with history and community through events and programs that inspire, educate, and celebrate the rich heritage of New Hampshire’s Black culture.
Juneteenth Celebration
Join us for Juneteenth, the oldest known nationally celebrated event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Black New England Conference
Come back each year to engage with a different topic of African American culture, history, and experience.
Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks Series
Engage with a series of panel discussions relating to New Hampshire’s Black history and African American culture.
Frederick Douglass Statewide Readings
Deepen your understanding of the 4th of July with a reading and discussion of a speech by abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
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.
Spring Symposium
Deep dive into a topic of African American history through interactive dialogue with local experts.
Upcoming Events
"The Balm in Gilead", Black Preacher as Orator | EWH Tea Talks 2026 #2
Sunday, February 8 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library | Portsmouth, NH
The Black preacher has long held a sacred and central role in African American public speech. Beyond their role as religious leaders, preachers have historically served as political voices, cultural transmitters, community organizers, and skilled rhetoricians. This dialogue explores how the pulpit evolved into both a sanctuary and a platform for liberation, influencing the moral and political discourse within communities.
A Drumbeat for Spiritual Renewal
African Burying Ground Memorial
Portsmouth, NH
Thursday, June 19
11:00 AM
A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Resistance, Joy & Liberation
The Venue at Portwalk Place
Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, June 14
7:00 PM
$45 Per Person
An Evening of Gospel Music Featuring Howard University Gospel Choir
The Music Hall
Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, June 15
4:00 PM
Erased Bloodlines: The Black Descendants of the “Founding Fathers” and Those They Enslaved
3S Artspace
319 Vaughan Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Friday, June 13
6:00 PM
Eyes on the Prize: Protests, Movements, and the Road Ahead
Hampton Historic Marker Unveiling
Located at the Lane Memorial Library, 2 Academy Ave, Hampton, NH.
Honoring Dinah Small Burdoo.
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 1 PM
Location: Lane Memorial Library, Hampton, NH
More details to come.
Hopes and Impediments: War and Strategies for Belonging
Hopes and Impediments: War and Strategies for Belonging
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 | 2:00 PM| Warner Historical Society
Location: Warner Town Hall | 5 E Main Street | Warner, NH
Jefferson in Paris, a Film Discussion
Temple Israel
200 State Street
Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, June 8
2:00 PM
Juneteenth Freedom Walk
Meet at John Paul Jones Memorial Park in Kittery, ME
Thursday, June 19
9:30 AM
Juneteenth Tour: Lives Bound Together: The Washingtons & Ona Marie Judge in NH
BHTNH Headquarters
222 Court Street
Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, June 7
2:00 PM
Living Out Loud: Embracing the Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation | Black New England Conference 2024
The intersectionality of race, gender, and sexual orientation has been historically intertwined, reflecting the complex dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression within society. Throughout history, marginalized communities have faced multiple forms of discrimination and marginalization, exacerbating the struggle for recognition, equality, and justice.
From the civil rights movement to voting rights to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, individuals at the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation have played pivotal roles in challenging oppressive systems and advocating for social change. Individuals who navigate multiple marginalized identities continue to influence contemporary experiences through the arts, culture, and activism.
The 18th Annual Black New England Conference will highlight the history of Black LGBTQ trailblazers and their contributions to American history, explore evolving cultural norms, gender roles and presentation, depiction in popular culture, and emerging movements, and offer a forward-looking perspective, envisioning potential future trends and possibilities for greater inclusivity, equity, and social change. We celebrate success stories of individuals and institutions that serve as beacons of hope for current generations to live out their identities authentically.
Ona Marie Judge Staines: A Legacy of Resistance
Portsmouth, NH
Tuesday and Wednesday
June 10-11
School Tours
Restoring the Erased: AI & AR in Black History
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrott Ave
Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, June 14
12:30 PM
State of the Union: A Critical Perspective on Black America from 1776 to 2026 | Black New England Conference 2025
19th Annual Black New England Conference:
The State of The Union: A Critical Perspective on Black America from 1776 to 2026
Location: Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH
#BNEC2025
The Great Migration: Military Service and the Shaping of a Diversified New Hampshire
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Manchester Historical Association
Location: Millyard Museum | 200 Bedford Street | Manchester, NH
The Great Migration: Military Service and the Shaping of a Diversified New Hampshire
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They wanted to Be Found: Archaeological Discoveries from the Portsmouth African Burial Ground
Thursday, August 28 | 6:30 PM | Portsmouth Public Library | Portsmouth, NH
On October 6, 2003, the first evidence of graves emerged at what some old city maps designated as the “Negro Burying Ground.” Dr. Kathleen Wheeler will present the findings from the 2003 and 2008 archaeological investigations that resulted in the discovery of 22 graves beneath Chestnut Street and the exhumation of 13 individuals. She will share some of their stories.
This event is free & open to the public, but space is limited.
Things They Carried: An African Philosophy on War, Surviving Enslavement and Citizenship
Things They Carried: An African Philosophy on War, Surviving Enslavement and Citizenship
SATURDAY, October 4, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Location: St. Paul’s Church | 21 Centre Street | Concord, NH
Unveiling Ceremony of Headstone Honoring Dinah Chase Whipple
North Cemetery
Portsmouth, NH
Friday, June 13
1:00 PM
Valerie Cunningham Marker Installation
Thursday, September 18 | 5:00 PM | SAACC | Portsmouth, NH
Last year, we proudly unveiled the Valerie Cunningham Historic Marker, honoring the incredible contributions of our founder, a historian and preservationist, whose vision shaped the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. On September 18th at 5pm, join us at the Seacoast African American Cultural Center as we come together to honor her lifetime of dedication, scholarship, and leadership in preserving and sharing African American history in New Hampshire. This is more than an installation: it’s a celebration of resilience, vision, and community.
“A Knock at Midnight,” The Legacy of African American Speechmaking | EWH Tea Talks 2026 #1
Sunday, February 1 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library | Portsmouth, NH
This opening conversation traces the evolution of Black speechmaking, from the fiery antislavery addresses of Frederick Douglass delivered here in New Hampshire to the soaring cadences of Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Malcolm X. Participants will explore how oratory served as both a survival strategy and a weapon of resistance, affirming African American speech as a vital force for social change.
“On the Pulse of Morning:” The Future of African American Oratory | EWH Tea Talks 2026 #4
Sunday, February 22 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library | Portsmouth, NH
A new generation of African American leaders is shaping the future of oratory through politics, activism, poetry, and ministry. This closing conversation highlights emerging voices that blend tradition with innovation, demonstrating how young speakers, poets, and activists continue to inspire, mobilize, and lead movements for justice in the 21st century.
“Unbound & Unbossed,” Black Female Oratory | EWH Tea Talks 2026 #3
Sunday, February 15 | 2:00 PM | Portsmouth Public Library | Portsmouth, NH
From the stirring voices of Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Fannie Lou Hamer to contemporary trailblazers like Amanda Gorman and Imani Perry, Black women have advanced truth-telling through the power of speech. This discussion celebrates their rhetorical brilliance, unflinching advocacy, and unique ability to weave personal experience with collective struggle in the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our tours are as accessible as the city or town where they take place. We strive to accommodate participants of all abilities, and our guides are trained to adapt the pace and format of each tour to meet the needs of the group. If you or someone in your party requires specific accommodations, please let us know in advance so we can do our best to make the experience welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
You can register for events and tours directly on their individual pages on our website. Simply visit the specific event or tour page and follow the registration instructions provided. If you need assistance, feel free to call or email our office.
Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking. Our tours take place rain or shine, so we recommend bringing an umbrella or rain jacket if rain is in the forecast. Layers and sun protection are also a good idea, depending on the season.
Our tours run rain or shine, so please come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing and an umbrella if needed. However, if there is lightning, high winds, or other severe weather that could pose a safety risk, we will contact you to reschedule the tour.
Yes, you’re welcome to take photos during the tour! If you share them on social media, we’d love for you to tag us. We do ask that you get permission before posting images of your tour guide or fellow participants to respect everyone’s privacy.
Preserve Black History in New Hampshire