Laconia history museum becomes reality

LACONIA — For years, the Laconia Historical & Museum Society has collaborated with area businesses, city- and privately-owned buildings and nonprofits to host historic exhibits and collections around the Lakes Region. Now, while that collaboration won’t stop, a new museum space is slated for a soft opening this weekend.

“This is our chance to show who we are and what we are,” said Tara Shore, president of LHMS. “Right now is an exciting and interesting moment for us. It’s one of the biggest years we have had in the last couple years in terms of things going on and accomplishments.”

This Saturday, Aug. 30, LHMS will open its doors at 61 Water St. for an invite-only event. The soft opening is intended for historical society board members and volunteers, all who have helped shape the project in more ways than one.

“We can’t do it without volunteers and board members. They’re amazing,” Shore said.

The permanent museum space will open a few short months later at 65 Water — the two locations are connected — allowing LMHS staff and volunteers the time to intentionally build a more suitable museum experience while using the location at 61 Water in the interim.

Lighting, display cases and flooring will be considered as staff and volunteers endeavor to cultivate an authentic museum experience, something that’s been in the works for several months.

In February at the LHMS annual meeting, Shore shared the plan for a pop-up museum. But that plan evolved, and the group opted for a small, temporary museum, with plans for a permanent exhibit space to follow a few months later.

That day is finally here.

“We’re excited to share this space with more people, and share our story with more people,” Shore said.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the museum will open to the general public. While official hours have not yet been designated, Shore is inclined to believe they will offer Saturday hours.

The museum will feature various documents, photographs and artifacts which have been in storage since the previous Laconia Museum closed in 1996, after founder Bob Dearborn's death.

The exhibit will continue to highlight Laconia’s Irish community.

“We are celebrating Laconia’s Irish heritage this year,” Shore said. “The Irish really helped establish notable professions. A lot of the Irish became fire personnel.”

That exhibit will relocate to Laconia Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 13. In November, a presentation will be held detailing “Laconia’s most notable Irish citizens, and what their contributions to Laconia were.”

Other materials and artifacts featured in the museum include honorable mentions about Laconia’s rich theater and performance history.

“We are doing a little highlight about theater in Laconia. It’s always been huge in Laconia, since Day 1. Those will be featured,” Shore said.

LHMS also has close ties with the New Hampshire Veterans Association at the Weirs, so displays featuring material from their organization will be included.

“The veterans stuff, we’re using it as a sneak peek as to what’s next. The exhibit we have will be rotating on a fairly regular basis,” Shore said.

Creating the museum has been a labor of love by all involved — but not without some slight trepidation.

“I’m a cautious person. This is huge, to go from an idea to an actual thing,” Shore said. “Holy cow, this is actually going to happen. This is going to be amazing.”

For more information about the work of LHMS, visit laconiahistory.com.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the museum's soft opening is by invitation only.