Their picturesque settings and wealth of artifacts and documents make museums near New Hampshire's White Mountains well worth a trip any time of year. Our real estate agents gain a new perspective with every visit to these wonderful museums in the region.

• Museum of the White Mountains - 34 Highland St., Plymouth, NH 03223
  Located on the campus of Plymouth State University, the Museum of the White Mountains is open to the general public. It serves as a teaching museum for the university as well as a facility to educate all visitors about the region's history, geography, and culture. In addition to nine permanent collections, the museum showcases a number of exhibits. Upcoming topics include "An Enduring Presence: The Old Man of the Mountain," about the iconic stone "face" that once gazed out over Franconia Notch. Museum hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
  
  
• Franconia Heritage Museum - 553 Main St., Franconia, NH 03580
  What was country life like during the early days of New Hampshire? Franconia Heritage Museum, located in an actual 1878 farmhouse, provides a fascinating insight into the answer. Visitors get an up-close look at nearly 10,000 artifacts from the 1800s, such as a working Victrola, a rope bed, and various items of clothing. The second floor holds a library and research room open to all. Authentic tools and implements used by farmers of the time are on display in the barn. The museum is open 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. each Saturday from May through October. Admission is free.
  
  
• Castle in the Clouds - 455 Old Mountain Rd., Moultonborough, NH 03254
  With the Arts and Crafts-style architecture, hiking trails, and panoramic views, Castle in the Clouds is a fitting name for this stunning attraction. The centerpiece of the 135-acre estate is the 16-room mansion built in 1914 for the family of Thomas Gustave Plant, who earned his fortune with his eponymous shoe company. Touring the mansion and gardens is only one of the numerous activities available to visitors at Castle in the Clouds. View waterfalls and rock formations along 28 miles of trails, feed rainbow trout in Shannon Pond, check out themed presentations in the Exhibit Gallery and attend special events such as Local Author Night. Enjoy a leisurely meal at the Carriage House Restaurant, which features a Dinner Music Night series during the summer months. The 2023 season at Castle in the Clouds runs from May 27 through October 22. Visit the website for hours and admission prices.
  
  
• Weeks State Park - 200 Weeks State Park Rd., Lancaster, NH 03584
  When you visit Weeks State Park, take a moment to appreciate the efforts of the park's namesake, John Wingate Weeks. As a U.S. congressman, Weeks spearheaded the drive to create the National Forest system with the Weeks Act of 1911. This gorgeous pet-friendly park atop Mt. Prospect was originally the 446-acre summer estate of Weeks and his family. Thanks to these lofty heights, 360-degree views are provided both inside the house and outside on the grounds. Not high enough? Climb the old stone fire tower for a true bird's-eye view. Tours fees are $4 for ages 18 and up, and reservations are required. Kids under 18 are admitted for free. Visit the website for the season-opening date and hours.
  
  
• New Hampshire Historical Society - 30 Park St., Concord, NH 03301
  How did New Hampshire acquire its famous state motto, "Live Free or Die?" Learn the story behind this and other events and people that shaped the Granite State at the New Hampshire Historical Society. The Society is a private, nonprofit organization that has been collecting and preserving state artifacts, documents, and memorabilia for more than two centuries. One Saturday a month, the Society conducts Family Fun Day, with activities based on different themes. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Admission is $7 for adults. Kids 18 and under are admitted free.
  
  
• New England Ski Museum - 135 Tramway Dr., Franconia, NH 03580
  "Skiing" and "New Hampshire" are virtually synonymous. The New England Ski Museum celebrates the popular activity so beloved by locals and tourists alike. Nearly 8,000 years of history are presented in an accessible form through the museum's permanent exhibit, "From the First Tracks to the Fall Line." One section honors Easton, NH native Bode Miller with a display of his Olympic medals and other memorabilia. About one year ago, the nonprofit organization opened a branch at 2628 White Mountain Hwy. in North Conway. Hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through the end of ski season at Cannon Mountain, which generally occurs in early April. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. 

New Hampshire embraces the changes of the present while continuing to honor the traditions of the past. Are you buying or selling a home in the Granite State? Contact us at The Masiello Group to get started.