A monthly serving of illuminating programs for all Granite Staters

Join us in Meredith, Portsmouth, or Littleton! 

What harm comes with censoring speech? How do we understand images in news? What does it mean to be an "informed citizen"? What is the role of journalism in a democracy?

We'll explore these questions and more in the fall Ideas on Tap, 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. 

Tuesday, 9/27, 5:30 pm 

All Eyes on NH: Political Coverage in the Granite State 

Twin Barns Brewing Co.,

194 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith

Questions have been flying about New Hampshire’s first-in-nation status for the presidential primary, but how does that status change our political coverage? This conversation will include three journalists reporting for different audiences—local, state, and national. A political scientist will join us to reflect on how news coverage changes at different levels of government and whether it is the same, or different, in New Hampshire. Learn more & register 

Wed., 10/12, 5:30 pm 

Do You Hear Me Now? Civil Discussion in a Polarized Age 

Portsmouth Gas Light Co.,

64 Market Street, Portsmouth

When speech is suppressed, it is a “double wrong,” according to Frederick Douglass, because not only is the right to speak violated, so is the “right to hear.” We'll consider the work of "hearing" from the perspective of a college newspaper editor, a local media leader, and a civics organizer from NH Listens. Learn how newspapers decide what their readers need to hear and how listening can improve the quality of deliberation in our cities and towns. Learn more & register

Tuesday, 10/25, 5:30 pm 

I’ll Believe It When I See It: Images in the News   

Schilling Beer Co.,

18 Mill Street, Littleton

People say a picture is worth a thousand words, but no one ever said that we all agree what those words are. Images have become an increasingly important part of journalism over the last several decades, but how are we meant to understand them? This panel invites the people who make those images to talk about how visuals express information, how we can understand the images, and the work that goes into creating them. Learn more & register

Join us for Part III of the series, World War Free: Our Role in a Turbulent World

A Conversation with Atifete Jahjaga, Former President of Kosovo

Friday, September 30, 5:00 pm (VIRTUAL) 

Kosovo was part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia when Atifete Jahjaga was born in 1975. After living through the violence of the Kosovo War in the 1990s, Madam Jahjaga trained at the Kosovo Police Academy, rose to the rank of General Lieutenant Colonel, and served as the Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police. Later, as president of Kosovo, she worked to make the Office of the President more transparent, to empower women and support survivors of sexual violence during the war. After her presidency, she founded the Jahjaga Foundation that works towards peacebuilding in the region. The conversation, moderated by Dr. Graziella Parati of Dartmouth College, will focus on Jahjaga's experience of violence and resilience.

New Books, New Perspectives

Attend OR host a book discussion in your area!

The Perspectives book discussion program is spreading quickly across the state and we invite you to attend or host a book group at your own library, book club, or community organization! See below for a few of the upcoming book discussions you can attend, or learn how to host your own book group.

RSVP to the host to reserve your spot and your free book,

courtesy of New Hampshire Humanities' Perspectives book groups.

September 20, 6 pm, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury  DETAILS

September 29, 7 pm, Abbie Greenleaf Library, Franconia

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmemer  DETAILS

October 6, 7 pm, Bedford Public Library, Bedford

Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler  DETAILS

October 7, 11 am, Frost Free Library, Marlborough

How to Be Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life

by Massimo Pigliucci  DETAILS

October 11, 6:30 pm, Minot-Sleeper Library, Bristol

Gilded Suffragists by Johanna Neuman  DETAILS

October 11, 6:30 pm (VIRTUAL) Hosted by the Jaffrey Public Library

When All Is Said by Anne Griffin  DETAILS



How do you host a book discussion in your library, book club or other location?

Easy to book and coordinate, Perspectives take place in virtual or in-person settings. We provide expert facilitators to lead the discussions and free copies of the book for all group members – you only need to provide the eager readers!

Check out this updated list of books and scholar facilitators and sign up today to bring a Perspectives book discussion to your community.

Visit www.nhhumanities.org/Perspectives or email us at [email protected].

NHH Grant-Supported Events

Tuesday, Sept. 20, 7 pm 

Belief in the Legitimate Opposition 

Dr. Russell Muirhead will examine whether, despite political partisanship and the tendency of rival partisans to distrust each other, we can still believe in legitimate opposition and what we have to believe to think of the opposition as a “legitimate opposition.” Learn more

Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7:30 pm 

The Players: The 95-Year History of the Community Players of Concord NH Premiere 

The Walker Lecture Series is pleased to host the world premiere of a documentary film covering the 95-year history of the city’s own theater company, The Community Players of Concord. The film features historic photographs, vintage programs, and theater posters dating back to the Players’ founding. It tells the story of a little theater that grew up in hard times, learned from the pros, found a home, and became a resource for a growing arts community. Learn more

Friday, September 30, 5 pm 

Dawnland: Recovery of New England’s Indigenous History 

The troubling legacy of Indian boarding schools has been in the news lately. This program focuses on Maine’s recent efforts to come to terms with the painful legacies of the removal of Wabanaki children from their homes, practices that continued into the 1970s. Dr. Mishy Lesser will introduce and host a viewing of the Emmy-winning documentary Dawnland (2019), for which she was the head researcher. Remote attendance is possible via Zoom. Learn more 

Friday, September 30, 7 pm 

Richard Potter’s Impact on American Theatre 

Andover Historical Society will celebrate Richard Potter with an introductory performance of ventriloquism by Dan Ritchard, author of Ventriloquism for the Total Dummy. Ritchard's presentation will include samples that might have come from Potter’s repertoire, and John Hodgson will discuss Potter’s significant influence on acting and characterization in the American theatre. Learn more

Thursday, October 6, 7 pm 

The Players: The 95-Year History of the Community Players of Concord NH benefit showing 

One of the longest-running community theatres in New England, the Community Players of Concord provided ConcordTV full access to an extensive archive of stage photographs, vintage programs, and posters, dating back to their founding in 1927. The documentary, which features live interviews with 24 Players, “tells the story of a little theatre that grew up in hard times, learned from the pros, found a home, and became a resource for a growing arts community.” This project is a benefit for the Players' 95th season, with a talkback with Players and filmmakers.  Learn more

Don't miss these ongoing grant-funded exhibits & programs! 

One River Many Views Exhibit

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Cornish, through Oct. 30  Details

Family Saturdays: The Five Freedoms  

American Independence Museum, Exeter

Final program September 17: Freedom of Religion  Details 

Gather 'Round: Telling Our History Through Food

Hopkinton Historical Society, Hopkinton

Final program September 17: Dugout Canoe with Dan Shears  Details

Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books 

Portsmouth Historical Society, Portsmouth, through Sept. 25  Details

It is easier to take than to give. It's nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime. ~ Joan Marques

To fund these programs and more,

we count on YOU!

As we continue to bring free public programs to thousands of Granite Staters and our many cultural institutions, your support is more important than ever before. Please click the Give button to make a secure online donation.

Thank you – every gift matters!

Making Connections in Literature and Life

Fall 2022 Engage!

We hope you'll enjoy the fall issue of Engage!, which highlights New Hampshire Humanities' literature-based programs and includes stories of the deep impact these programs have on participants across the state and beyond. READ

Major Community Project Grant proposals

(up to $10,000) are due Oct. 15. For more information and to access the application materials, click here. 

Mini Grants (up to $2,000) are accepted on a rolling basis). Learn more about applying for either level of Community Project Grants HERE.

The U.S. and the Holocaust:

A Conversation with Filmmakers Ken Burns & Sarah Botstein

Thursday, September 22 at 7 pm

Mabel Brown Room, LP Young Student Center,

Keene State College

Join Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein for a discussion about their latest, three-part documentary film, co-directed with Lynn Novick, The U.S. and the Holocaust. The film explores America's response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history and how it tested the ideals of democracy. The series premieres September 18-20 at 8 pm on PBS and online at pbs.org. Details

Celebrate National Museum Day by visiting one of New Hampshire's participating museums that are offering free admission this Saturday, September 17.

Check the list and plan your visit!

Staff pick of the month

Thank you to our Media Partners who

provide year-round support for our work: