Woodman Institute often called a 'Museum within a museum'

Built 1818, 3-story brick residence, one of the three three dwelling within the Woodman Institute, was home to Annie Woodman until her death in 1915 when it was deeded to the City of Dover along with an astonishing $100,000 for the creation of an institute to promote local education in science, history and the arts. The brick home of famous New Hampshire attorney, Daniel Christie, on Central street was purchased as was the home of the famous New Hampshire abolitionist Senator John P. Hale next door. Soon after the structure of the oldest surviving garrison (1675) in the region was donated to the town, was moved between the two properties and a protective shelter was placed over the old colonial structure forming a complete museum campus.

The institute houses an extensive collections of minerals, plus exhibits of mammals, shells, fish and reptiles, a moose, a polar bear, alligator, and hippopotamus; and birds, moths and butterflies in their original turn-of-the-century display cases. Also visitors will find a display of Native American items, contemporary and prehistoric. There is a collection of dolls, many pictures, maps and books, posters and more. There is also a War Memorial Museum, where among the many items of interest there is one of the ten known "Napoleon" Civil War canons complete with its original caisson and the saddle used by President Abraham Lincoln while reviewing the troops shortly before his assassination in April 1865.

Abraham Lincoln had been a frequent visitor of the John P. Hale House, then home to John Parker Hale (1806-1873), who had taken a solid stand against slavery.

Read reviews and find deals for hotels in Dover.

Free candid Dover reviews from VirtualTourist. Read about hotels, things to do, restaurants, and more. Get the best deals for Dover hotels by comparing Travelocity, Hotels.com and Orbitz.

Visit Online Highways' interactive American History project. A team of researchers is developing a site that will present U.S. history in the context of present day travel.

Reviews