Living History Event, Historic Hillsborough, NH

August 20 & 21, 2016

The Jones Road Encampment

Abigail Adams, as portrayed by Kim Hanley, another amazing performer from the American Historical Theater group.

Kim began interpreting Abigail with AHT from 1997. Ms. Hanley has appeared in venues that include the White House Visitors Center, National Archives, National Portrait Gallery, Frazier Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Franklin Institute, Liberty Museum, Constitution Center, Independence Visitors Center, Freedoms Foundation, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, Delaware Humanities Chautauqua and libraries throughout New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. (excerpt and photo from Kim Hanley)

Annie Oakley, as portrayed by Kim Hanley, will make an appearance this summer!

Annie Oakley, born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was probably the most famous woman of her day. With photographs and posters everywhere, she and professional partner Buffalo Bill Cody may have been the first international superstars. The diminutive sharpshooter and exhibition shooter, who made her own costume, competed in a sport and in a world dominated by men. The no-holds-barred performer learned to shoot from practical necessity, hunting to feed her parents and siblings. Growing up poor, overcoming a difficult and even abusive childhood, she just did what she needed to do to survive and to keep her family going. (excerpt and photo from Kim Hanley) (appropriate for ages 10+ years)

Also portrayed by Kim Hanley is Molly Pitcher!

“Molly Pitcher,” born Mary Ludwig and married to William Hays, is best known for participating in the Battle of Monmouth. Hers is the story of a colonial woman whose financial circumstances were too dire to permit her to remain home while her husband fought in the Revolutionary War. Molly’s choice was between staying at home cooking and cleaning for others (if she could find such paid work) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, or going with her husband and cooking and cleaning for him on or near the battlefield. Molly was one of many women who followed the army, performing valuable services that lifted the morale of the soldiers, as well as keeping them clean and fed. (excerpt and photo from Kim Hanley) (appropriate for ages 3+ years)

Battles!

You step through a time warp the minute you drive over the antique stone bridge on Jones Road.

2nd South Carolina String Band

The 2nd South Carolina String Band plays the songs and music that moved the American people of the early and mid-eighteen hundreds. They play the music that was in the hearts and minds and on the tongues of the citizen-soldiers that made up the ranks of the armies of the North and the South as they marched off to take part in the cataclysmic struggle that was to become the defining event of our nation’s history. excerpt from www.civilwarband.com

NH Audubon's Raptor Program

Laura Ingalls Wilder - inspirational!

Kearsarge Aftergaurd

An Authentically Uniformed Historical

Association representing the Federal Civil War Navy

Hands on Cider Pressing

Laundry Day

Churning Butter - then Eating It!

Learning to embroider

School Daze

The Food! Best you'll ever have at any event!

So much to see and explore

Thomas Jefferson was amazing in 2015.

Thomas Jefferson impersonator, historian, and motivational speaker Steven Edenbo has entertained and inspired audiences of all ages since 1999. Steve has researched Jefferson as a resident fellow at Monticello’s International Center for Jefferson Studies in Charlottesville, Va. He appears regularly at such venues as The National Archives in Washington, D.C., and at Independence Hall and the Declaration House (The Jacob Graff House) in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia. photo credit:Karla Korn excerpt taken from www.yourthomasjefferson.com

Old fashioned children's games

Betsy Ross

Chicken Farmer

Tom Hanford and his fiddle - a children magnet

Maple syrup by the Hunt family

What is the Living History Event?

An action packed 2 day, 4 location event in Scenic & Historic Hillsborough, NH

The Living History Event is a weekend of stepping back in time in convincingly historic locations.

2016 marks our 8th year!

Join us for our Eighth Annual Living History Event.
Visit with Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, Molly Pitcher, who carried water to soldiers, and Annie Oakley, famous sharpshooter portrayed by Kim Hanley.
Listen to Rob Vellela reading in the persona of Nathaniel Hawthorne or Alan Hoffman talking about Marquis de Lafayette at the President Franklin Pierce Homestead.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, (Melanie Stringer) will be on hand to talk about her life and Robert Olson will return as Mr. Bayly our 18th Century Magician, and the popular, Tom Hanford telling his Chimney-side Tales.
Interact with period artisans and the music of the 2nd South Carolina String Band, or follow a battle through the woods. Enjoy the Cavalry.
Hear the cannons roar.
Suttlers, crafters and the blacksmith will be selling their wares.
Birds of prey will be on display.
Sew a flag with Betsy Ross, and many other children’s activities.
Try your hand at panning for real gold, soap making, candle dipping, and so much more.
Make butter, ice cream, press cider, and sample maple syrup. Feast on mouth-watering traditional foods, Grilled Chicken, Pulled Pork, Plowman’s Lunch and delicious home baked pastries.
Join us for a delightful, interactive living history experience and take part in the unique history of the New England area.
Venture on a fantastic trip throughout Hillsborough and discover the historic villages, Hillsborough Heritage Museum, including the Manahan-Phelps-McCulloch Photos and DAR Collection.
Take a tour of the Center Cemetery and see where President Pierce’s parents are buried on 2nd NH Turnpike.
View scenic drives.
Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, or a self-guided stroll around the Old Historic Center.
Also offered are trolley tours of the wonderful stone arch bridges that make Hillsborough an historical treasure.
Hosted by the Hillsborough Historical Society and the Living History Event Committee.

A huge thank you to our SPONSORS We couldn’t do this without you!

< >

George Washington was so real he gave me goose bumps! And his talk was fascinating!

August 20 & 21, 2016

Ticket Information:

Tickets are available online through August 18.

Tickets will be available the day of the event at all locations.
Cash only at all locations. No Credit Cards or Debit Cards.

You can begin your day at any location.

Adults (18+) $10
Seniors (62+) $8
6 – 17 years $5
5 and under FREE
FREE admission for all Hillsborough, Henniker, Deering, Windsor, and Washington public, private and home-schooled students with school or parent id.

Tickets are good for both Saturday and Sunday and get you into absolutely everything! (except the gold panning we will be charging $5 per person which will help cover the high cost of the gold.)

Hours:
Saturday 9-5
Sunday 9-4

Your Tax Deductible Donation Helps Us Provide Great Programs

Q&A

How do I get from site to site?

There are 2 trollies that travel between the 4 sites. You may park your car at any of the sites and travel by trolley while enjoying the scenery. Besides the trolley, for your convenience, we also have a 16 passenger van we will be using while the trolley is off line and serving the needs of guests who are taking the Stone Arch Bridge Tours. If you are looking for a ride, look for a white Youth Services van at the various sites as well as the trolley to take you to the next site. Gratuities for the driver(s) are welcome.

Where can I find a costume?

We have a limited number of costumes for local people and people involved in the event to borrow. Please contact Ellie Harbour at 603-464-2592. There are mop hats and tricorn hats for sale at the event for kids and adults who feel the spirit. For custom costumes call The Sewing Sisters at 617-504-8024.

Are pets welcome?

There will be war re-enactments, horses, and many children at this event, so for the safety of your pet and others, we ask that pets remain at home.

Are the sites handicapped accessible?

Handicapped parking spaces will be available at each site, permits are required for all handicapped parking. Some areas are more accessible than others; many demonstrations will be held in grassy field areas. Handicapped accessible bathrooms are available at all sites.

The Money Questions

Credit Cards can not be accepted at any site. All site greeting stations, food concessions, and vendors accept only cash. You can find ATM machines at the following banks – Santander Bank ◦ 53 West Main St Bank of NH ◦ 325 West Main St Lake Sunapee Bank ◦ 15 Antrim Rd TD Bank ◦ 11 School St (behind the bank)

Parking?

Parking is offered at all sites. You are welcome to drive and park at each site. If space is not available at the site, you may be directed to the next site or to downtown parking areas. Feel free to park and hop on the Trolley.

Where the heck is Hillsborough?

GPS addresses – Jones Rd – 44 Jones Rd, Hillsborough, NH 03244 Franklin Pierce Homestead – 301 2nd NH Turnpike, Hillsborough Hillsborough Historic Center – 18 E. Washington Rd, Hillsborough Downtown – 5 Center St, Hillsborough, NH 03244

Special thanks for the use of your photos –

Sue and Bob Hofstetter Don Norris Jeff Rand Bob Lint Chuck Cole Photography

This event has a wonderful homegrown feel!

LHE Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote awareness of the history and tourism opportunities in the Town of Hillsborough and the State of NH in a way that not only helps our local businesses succeed, but also showcases the best of our community by using educational and historical opportunities so that we bridge together all ages, community organizations, and town interests around this unique event – Living History!

Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder

Do you love Laura? Did you grow up devouring her “Little House” series of books, or dressing up like characters on the television show? Do you ever wonder about the real people and events behind the stories, or what Laura thought about the world around her? Now you can ask Laura yourself!

Jane Kelly, Birds of Prey

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. The majority of my time growing up was spent outdoors. My father had a big influence on my enthusiasm for nature taking me fishing, hiking and hunting. His appreciation for birds rubbed off on me.

Kevin Fife, Stonewall Expert

Born and raised in Canterbury NH, Kevin is a nationally recognized master stone mason and lives in Northfield with his wife and two daughters. Kevin began building stonewalls in 1981, blending his talent as an artist with the business of landscape construction.