New Hampshire Boat Museum

The New Hampshire Boat Museum aims to inspire an understanding of, and appreciation for the boating heritage of the fresh waterways of New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) is much more than a museum. We are an experiential center that focuses on learning through doing by offering a plethora of hands-on programs and events.

NHBM was founded in 1992 by a group of antique and classic boating enthusiasts who wanted preserve and share the boating heritage on New Hampshire’s fresh waterways. Originally the Museum was called the “New Hampshire Antique and Classic Boat Museum” and then modified in order to better reflect the Museum’s mission. After moving around Lake Winnipesaukee for a few years, in 2000 NHBM found a permanent home in Wolfeboro in the former Allen “A” Resort theater and dance hall. The Allen “A” hall, a large, barrel-round roofed building built in 1954 cannot be missed on Route 28 north on the edge of town.

Today, visitors can enjoy seeing a variety of boats, motors, and boating related items on display within the Museum, along with hands-on activities for children and families. Visitors can also experience the thrill of riding in a replica vintage boat in NHBM’s very own 1928-style Hacker Craft mahogany triple cockpit, the Millie B. Museum program highlights include boat building classes for adults, families, and youth; community sailing for youth and adults; a week-long summer camp program for elementary-age children; a lecture series; boat restoration; model yachting and model yacht (remote-controlled sailboats) kit building. NHBM hosts the Boathouse Tour, a premiere event since its inception 2006, a boat show in Alton Bay, and the New England Vintage Boat and Car Auction, our annual fundraising event. Each program and event offers an enjoyable opportunity to understand more and garner an appreciation for our boating heritage and the unique role New Hampshire’s lakes play in people’s lives down through the ages.

The New Hampshire Boat Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
New Hampshire has over 900 lakes.