A Museum for All
Since its founding in 1992, the New Hampshire Boat Museum has been a museum on the move offering on-water experiences, practical educational programs, and exhibitions celebrating the stories of NH’s boating on the state’s beautiful lakes and rivers. NHBM’s dynamic momentum reaches throughout the Lakes Region and beyond. The Museum’s steady growth has demanded expansion beyond the Wolfeboro facility’s limited seasonal capacity. NHBM is now creating a home worthy of its impact on the region’s’ cultural, economic, and educational community.
In the early spring of 2022 the NHBM purchased the 24,000 square foot building and property at 130 Whittier Highway (Route 25) in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Tucked in the heart of the Lakes Region, visitors will find NHBM’s expanded site to be a museum of discovery, learning and fun, where all can enjoy the stories of New Hampshire’s long boating heritage on its rivers and lakes.
A generous gift from Tim and Rebeca Ciasulli in 2021 helped make this new museum facility possible. We’re so grateful for their support and enthusiasm for the Museum’s bold new future, and for all of the support NHBM has received from many donors during this multi-year campaign.
Museum Renovations Photo Gallery
A Museum in the Making
The first round of renovations was completed in April 2023 within six months. Conneston Construction, Inc (CCI), Stewart Architects and their teams did an incredible job finishing up early and under the original budget of $2.3 million. The project included the following:
- New exhibitions spaces created
- Archival collections care rooms purpose-built
- All necessary life safety (sprinkler system) and ADA upgrades completed (elevator, restroom updates, doorways, and stairways).
- Upgraded electrical and lighting (all LED now), the addition of the mezzanine, and roof membrane replacement
Since then the final floor treatments on the lower floor, the Exhibition Hall, have been completed. Exhibit designs for the Exhibition Hall are well underway and the small objects in the museum collection have been moved over as well as numerous boats.
Charting Our Course Campaign
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we continue to move forward in 2026 with the design and installation of new exhibits in the Lower Exhibit Hall.
In spring 2026, we will embark on the Phase 2 renovation of the main floor. This transformative project is made possible in part by a Northern Borders Region Commission (NBRC) Catalyst Grant. We are sincerely grateful to the NBRC and to our donors whose matching gifts are turning this vision into reality.
Exterior renovations, as illustrated below, along with the Upper Gallery Exhibits, will be completed as additional funds are raised. Every gift directly advances these next steps and helps ensure the successful completion of the Museum in Moultonborough.
