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

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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: 3 Year Plan

We will complete the design and installation of major exhibits (lower floor first), final renovations of the main floor, and exterior renovations as funds are donated. Our campaign supports the following outcomes:

Exhibits Design and Installation 

    • Complete the exhibit designs and installation for the Exhibition Hall (lower level):  $1.3M
    • Complete exhibits design and installation in the main floor Exhibit Gallery: $1M

Building Renovations Remaining 

    • Complete renovation of the main floor administrative and exhibit gallery space $650,000
    • Exterior renovation to include signage, landscaping, exterior building finishes, parking lot upgrade: $750,000
    • Energy efficiency improvements including HVAC upgrades and rooftop solar to reduce energy costs: $300,000

 

 

We are closed until Saturday, May 24, 2025! Model Yacht Building Registration and Boat Building Registration for 2025 are now open.

We are closed until Saturday, May 24, 2025! Model Yacht Building Registration and Boat Building Registration for 2025 are now open.