Hunt for history in the 603

The New Hampshire Historical Society is celebrating America’s 250th birthday in July, offering programs and events for all ages, including the 603 History Hunt. Some of the scavenger hunt's locations can be found right here in the Lakes Region.

Elizabeth Dubrulle, director of education and public programs, proposed the idea for this completely free scavenger hunt for the organization’s 200th birthday in 2023. Over 2,000 people participated through the 603 History Hunt app, completing challenges based around state history to earn points and prizes. After it concluded, Dubrelle said the NH Historical Society received questions about when they were doing another one.

Dubrelle took this feedback, and in celebration of America250, the historical society, based in Concord, created a new scavenger hunt on the 603 History Hunt app for the month of July, ending at midnight on Friday, July 31. Players can sign up any time this month by downloading the app and entering their email address, to be contacted for prizes.

Unlike the first time, this hunt specifically focuses on the Granite State's role in the American Revolution.

“I mean, New Hampshire's one of the original 13 colonies. We played a really big role in the Revolution, a very important role, and we don't always get credit for it,” Dubrelle said. “This is a way for people to learn about it that's fun and creative and active.”

The only limitation to play is to be over the age of 13, and Dubrelle said people of all ages participate in the 603 History Hunt. Many families see it as an educational bonding experience to keep them busy during the summer.

The app can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet, and appears on the screen as a map of New Hampshire. There are about 200 challenges total, scattered throughout the state. Pins on the map mark the stops, where players can begin, or choose to skip, or play later. Many challenges take players to various locations to complete a task, such as filming a video, taking a photo, or answering a trivia question.

Locations featured in the Lakes Region include two in Gilford.

"Liberty as Sacred Duty" educates players about Rev. Jeremy Belknap, a minister, historian, and author of the first history of New Hampshire. Belknap Mountain is just one of many local sites named after him. Players can upload a selfie in front of trail signs, or make the trek up the mountain to earn points.

"Named for Victory" shares information about the Town of Gilford, the only Granite State town named for a Revolutionary War battle, after an officer who served in the Battle of Guilford Court House was honored with choosing the town name. Players can upload a selfie from any labeled town building, such as the town hall, or library, to earn points.

The hunt continues around the Lakes Region in places like Ashland, Barnstead, Canterbury, Holderness, Loudon, Plymouth and Wolfeboro.

“There’s some of these that are spread all over the place, but it really does get people everywhere, border to border,” Dubrelle said.

Some tasks can only be completed at a specific time, at a certain location. For example, Saturday, July 11, the NH Historical Society will have a booth at the American Independence Festival, in Exeter, where participants can complete challenges. Then, on Sunday, July 19, another challenge can be completed at The Fort No. 4, a historic landmark and museum in Charlestown.

After completing challenges, the app tracks participants’ progress and points throughout the month. Participation prizes include a 603 History Hunt keychain for 500 points, or a 603 History Hunt beach towel for 2,500 points. For more competitive players, there are prizes for the players with the highest or second-highest number of points on specific dates throughout the hunt. Prizes include two tickets to Canobie Lake Park, four tickets to sail in Portsmouth Harbor, with the Gundalow Company, and the most elite prize — the Battle of Bennington prize — includes a two-night stay at Waterville Valley Resort in a three-bedroom condo for the participant with the highest number of points when the hunt ends.

Dubrelle said the NH Historical Society does not receive any state funding for this project, and is an independent, nonprofit organization. “We’re doing this as a service to the people of New Hampshire, and we wanted to make sure it was free, so that everyone could participate, and there wouldn’t be a barrier.”

Participants are invited to the NH Historical Society, in Concord, for a free ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. Players can collect their prizes and enjoy a free scoop of ice cream, and see exhibits on display, including the Society’s newest, Witness to War: Treasures from the American Revolution.

The exhibit tells the story of New Hampshire’s role in the Revolutionary War, which Dubrelle highlighted in the scavenger hunt. The exhibit showcases many historical objects, giving viewers a taste of what life was like for Granite Staters back then. Highlights include a copper printing plate that assisted in printing New Hampshire currency early in the war, made in 1775 by John Ward Gilman, a silversmith and engraver from Exeter. Other items include a canteen that belonged to Josiah Bartlett, a signee of the Declaration of Independence, and a linen shirt handspun by Mary Campbell Gordon for her teenage son, who was serving in the militia during the Revolutionary War.

The display is a special celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. Throughout the year, the NH Historical Society has other exhibits. Currently they also have on display A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection, Part 2, a collection of historical paintings of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, some dating back to the 19th century.

To learn more, visit nhhistory.org.