Editor’s Picks
World War II Museum
The Wright Museum has been a staple in Wolfeboro and the Granite State for 30 years. The nonprofit museum recognizes and honors the contributions and enduring legacy of World War II-era Americans through interactive exhibits, lecture series and a comprehensive look at how both the battlefront and the home front provided an enduring impact on American society. Special exhibits and anniversary events this year include a traveling “Women in Uniform” exhibit. wrightmuseum.org
Little Bit of Everything
RS Butler’s Trading Co. in Northwood, the heart of New Hampshire’s Antique Alley, is the place to go when you don’t know what you want. Every visit to this laid-back antique and curio shop features something kitschy and unusual. Do you need an old license plate or maybe a pair of cowboy boots? Vintage furs or motorcycle jackets? A big bonus is the music section, which features concert T-shirts and plenty of vinyl from across the decades. rsbutlerstradingco.com
Local Music, Homegrown Sounds
If you’ve been to Portsmouth in the last 45 years, you know The Press Room, the cutting edge of the Seacoast music scene. The downtown staple has been there for every night out for music lovers and party goers. Great bar and good vibes aside, its weekly rotating roster includes indie acts, jazz jams, touring DJs and glow-party-themed nights. pressroomnh.com
Inspired Illustrations
Lady Sara Richard, a Manchester-based fine artist, illustrator and writer, loves all things Victorian —funerary mourning customs, art nouveau and art deco. She has created comic book covers and book illustrations for publishers like Simon & Schuster, DC Comics and has even been featured in British Vogue and Vanity Fair. The 10th great-granddaughter of one of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials, Richard fuels her fascination with what’s behind the veil. She portrays her intrigue through painting wildlife and human figures who may have already passed on and remain in liminal space. One day she hopes to shake hands with them on the family tree. sararichard.com
Handmade and Artisan
Fans of fine art, crafts and jewelry made by local artisans will love N.W. Barrett Gallery in Portsmouth. Since 1985, the gallery has been curating handmade pieces of art, décor and jewelry. The work of more than 500 artisans is regularly on display in the two-story gallery. Tour showcases of delicate jewelry, browse fine art and envision how you could redecorate your space with beautiful wall hangings. nwbarrett.com
Community Heritage
The Tillotson Center in Colebrook is within the restored Balsams Barn, which was built to house the coaches and horses that belonged to the nearby Dix House. Built in 1909, the Balsams Barn has served as a meeting hall and community center since the 1930s. After Louise Tillotson purchased the building in 2006, it was turned into an art and performance center featuring a 171-seat theater and an art gallery that offers live theater, movies, music and more. tillotsoncenter.org
Artist Development
The NH Music Collective in Gilford helps musicians looking for booking, development and production help. Their team also helps artists learn how to best present themselves on social media and offers music lessons, graphic marketing and more. nhmusiccollective.com
Community Art Gallery
Named after the Three Sisters Garden — the practice of planting three sister crops (corn, beans and squash) side by side — The Three Sisters Gallery in Gorham is a place for the arts, artists and community to come together and nourish each other. Owner Deidre Blair, an artist and oil painter, created the gallery to be a community hub where anyone can gather and purchase local art, or attend classes and events to further their art education. the3sistersgallery.com
Nonprofit Creative Space
The Loading Dock in Littleton acts as a creative space for the performing arts, and its versatile lineups aren’t defined by just one genre. The volunteer-run venue’s booked acts, along with its frequent open mic events, make every visit a unique sonic experience. theloadingdocknh.com
Nostalgic Listening, Time Two
Chris’s Nostalgia Shop is a hidden treasure for music fans in the Great North Woods. The record store, tucked inside a cozy home just off Route 3 in Whitefield, features music from nearly every genre in popular music, from The Who to The Talking Heads to Frank Sinatra, in every format —including vintage 8-track tapes. Concert merch like T-shirts and some Beatles rarities are here as well. With a knowledgeable and easygoing staff, shopping at Chris’ Nostalgia Shop is like visiting an old friend who shares the same taste in music as you. Facebook
After spending 30 years in the corporate world, music lovers Nils Nelson and Jennie Wesco opened Full Circle Vinyl in Meredith in July 2023. Their shop carries new and “pre-loved” records, as well as two listening stations for customers to experience tunes before they buy. They also offer turntables, speakers, vinyl frames and more. Tune into their social media accounts for daily “on this day” music history posts. fullcirclevinyl.com
Group Exhibitions
Pillar Gallery + Projects in Concord is an exhibition space set for emerging and mid-career artists to curate thematic group exhibitions that pull from the diversity of the northeast’s artmaking. Their maximalist approach to curation allows them to span a range of cultural backgrounds and artistic voices as well as a wide range of materials and studio processes. No creative is left behind. pillargalleryprojects.com
Readers’ Poll Winners
Art Gallery
Two Villages Art Society
Contoocook
twovillagesart.org
★★★★★★★
Museum
Currier Museum of Art
Manchester
currier.org
★★★★★★★
Music Venue (Large)
Bank of NH Pavilion
Gilford
banknhpavilion.com
★★★★★★★
Music Venue (Small)
Tupelo Music Hall
Derry
tupelomusichall.com
★★★★★★★
NH Podcast
NHPR’s Bear Brook
Concord
bearbrookpodcast.com
★★★★★★★
NH Radio Morning Show
Greg and the Morning Buzz
Manchester
morningbuzz.com
★★★★★★★
NH Radio Talk Show
Good Morning NH with Jack Heath
thepulseofnh.com
★★★★★★★
NH Radio Station
WZID, 95.7
Manchester
wzid.com
★★★★★★★
Theater/Performing Arts Venue
The Palace Theatre
Manchester
palacetheatre.org
★★★★★★★
Meteorologist
Hayley LaPoint, WMUR
Manchester
wmur.com
★★★★★★★
TV News Anchor
Erin Fehlau, WMUR
Manchester
wmur.com
★★★★★★★
TV News Reporter
Ray Brewer, WMUR
Manchester
wmur.com
★★★★★★★
TV Sports Anchor
Mike Cronin, WMUR
Manchester
wmur.com