New Hampshire Humanities' monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters

3 Ideas on Tap in June

Join us in Keene, Portsmouth, or Concord!

What does it mean to be an "informed citizen"? What is the role of journalism in a democracy? What sort of speech is protected under the Constitution? Do citizens have obligations that go along with our right to free speech? We'll explore these questions and more in this spring's Ideas on Tap events, our popular series of "pint-sized conversations about big ideas." Join us for drinks, appetizers, and fascinating conversations about these timely topics in casual pub settings.

(NEW DATE!) June 13, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Trust Me! Civil Discussion and Information in a Polarized Age 

Modestman Brewing, 100 Main Street, Keene

This conversation will consider the practical strategies of journalists and Gen Z citizens as they confront the noxious doctrines in current American politics. We'll take an evening to slow down with a newspaper publisher, a professional journalist, and two Keene State students about how to make space for bad faith ideas without losing faith in our democracy. 

Can't make the Keene program? Join us in Portsmouth or Concord later this month!

Tuesday, June 21, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Trust Me! Civil Discussion and Information in a Polarized Age 

Portsmouth Gas Light Co.

64 Market Street, Portsmouth

Join our conversation about practical strategies for confronting the noxious doctrines in current American politics. We'll hear from a college newspaper editor, a local media leader, and a practitioner in the deliberative democracy movement about how we can make space for bad faith ideas without losing faith in our democracy.

Monday, June 27, 5:30-7:30 pm 

Tell Me Lies: The First Amend- ment & the Right to (Mis)inform 

Feathered Friend Brewing

231 S. Main Street, Concord

Why should misinformation be protected under the Constitution? This panel will focus on how digital media challenges our established laws and legal precedents for free speech in public forums. Rather than endorsing one side of the argument, can we work together to create animated yet productive public debates?

NHH Grant-Supported Events

Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books 

Now through 9/25, 10 am - 5 pm, Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle Street, Portsmouth 



Visit the Portsmouth Historical Society’s new exhibit, Imagine That!, which spans a century of creativity and features over hundred artworks by illustrators from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to explore stories about journeys. DETAILS

Five Freedoms:

Family Saturdays

6/18 from 10 am - 2 pm, American Independence Museum at Folsom Tavern, 164 Water Street, Exeter



Join the American Independence Museum for a series of fun, civic educational programming exploring Freedom of Speech, one of the 5 freedoms outlined in the First Amendment, with family-friendly activities geared toward younger children. DETAILS

Lights, Camera, Civics! What the Constitution Means to Me

6/21 from 7 pm - 9:30 pm, NH Civics at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main Street, Concord

Join NH Civics for a viewing of Heidi Schrek’s What the Constitution Means to Me followed by a post-viewing discussion led by NHPR’s Civics 101 hosts Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy. DETAILS

Congratulations to all recent Focus Grant recipients!

Granite State News Collaborative, How to Write a ‘My Turn’ Opinion Writing Workshop: The Granite State News Collaborative and Concord Monitor will host a workshop on the process of writing an opinion essay about an issue or topic of importance to their community to foster greater participation in civic dialogue.

American Independence Museum, Civic Education: The Five Freedoms at Family Saturdays: The American Independence Museum will host a series of family-friendly programs on the third Saturday of each month, May through September, exploring the five freedoms named in the First Amendment.   

Hopkinton Historical Society, Gather Round: Telling Our Stories Through Food: Through an exhibit and public programs, this project will explore changes in food practices, the influence of contemporary Native American knowledge on cooking, and how fresh food can be incorporated into our lives.

NH Civics Institute, Summer of Civic Strength: Through a series of public programs, including two community conversations, a film viewing and discussion, and two educator trainings, NH Civics is focused on building civic strength in our communities and our young people. 

Gregory J. Grappone ’04 Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College, Belief in the Legitimate Opposition: The Grappone Institute will host Professor Russell Muirhead of Dartmouth College for the keynote lecture of its 2022-2023 Big Thought series, “Believe it or Not,” a year-long series focused on human belief. 

Historical Society of Cheshire County, Abenaki History in the Monadnock Region: The Historical Society of Cheshire County will host a teacher workshop on Abenaki history in the Monadnock region. 

Citizens Count, NH Civic Learning Out Loud: Citizens Count will develop five new episodes of $100 Plus Mileage, a podcast about bills in the New Hampshire General Court, as well as accompanying classroom guides.  

Congratulations to all recent Community Project Grant recipients!

Perspectives book groups

Host a book group in your community!

Perspectives  offers facilitated group book discussions in virtual or in-person settings. We welcome applications from all New Hampshire libraries, established book groups, or community organizations. New Hampshire Humanities provides the facilitators and copies of books – you provide the eager readers! For more information, visit our website.

Deadlines & reminders

Focus Grants (ongoing)

We are accepting Focus Grant applications on a rolling basis, until all remaining funds are dispersed. For more information click here.

June 15: Major Community Project Grant draft proposals due  

For more information and to access the application materials, click here.

July 15: Major Community Project Grant proposals due

For more information and to access the application materials, click here.



Partner News

New Hampshire Museum Education Summit is a one-day summit focused on the state’s shifting educational landscape, and will be held on Wednesday, June 22 from 9:30 am - 2 pm at the NH Historical Society, at 30 Park Street, Concord. Attendance is limited to museum professionals in New Hampshire. There is no charge, and lunch will be provided. Advanced registration is required by June 17. Register here.

The Learning Institute of New England College is seeking volunteer teachers who would be willing to lead courses in its adult education program. For more information, please contact Judy Eliasberg at (603) 225-5638 or email jeliasberg2@yahoo.com.

Thank you for helping us raise $7,585 during NH Gives!

Thank you to all who donated to support the work of New Hampshire Humanities during NH Gives! Your gifts totaled $7,585 that will support programs like the ones we shared yesterday. Your generosity shows what happens when we all work together.

Thank you again for helping keep New Hampshire Humanities and our nonprofit community flourishing!

Staff pick of the month

Michael Haley Goldman, Executive Director, recommends:

The Intuitionist, by Coleson Whitehead

As Barry Jenkins’ critically-acclaimed adaptation of The Underground Railroad brings even more attention to Coleson Whitehead’s award-winning novels, now is a good time to go back and read (or reread) his first book, The Intuitionist (1998). Like all of Whitehead’s novels, The Intuitionist is worth reading for its stellar prose but it's also the first glimpse of the magic that the author can create by taking genre fiction  – in this case the noir detective story  – and turning it into something new. Elevator inspectors as a powerful force in urban politics? Universities of ‘Vertical Transport?’ An intuition based theory of mechanical engineering? Whitehead’s unfamiliar world almost looks like our own and, propelled by a hard boiled mystery plot, highlights all-to-familiar issues of race and gender. 

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For even more programs and events happening across New Hampshire, visit our online calendar. If you haven't yet seen our spring Engage! news, you can read more about our work here!

Thank you to the Mellon Foundation for supporting our Ideas on Tap programs.

Thank you to the following Partner Sponsors who provide year-round support for our work:

LEAD PARTNER