2025 Events
.jpg)
Discover Nashua’s Hidden History:
Two Museums, One Memorable Afternoon
Sunday, July 13 2025 | Noon to 3:00 PM
​
The Nashua Historical Society invites you and your family to step back in time and explore two of Nashua’s most cherished landmarks—the Abbot-Spalding House Museum and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum—as we continue our 2025 summer season!
​
Located at 1 Abbott Street, the historically important Abbot-Spalding House, built circa 1803, offers a glimpse into Nashua’s early days. Once home to Daniel Abbot, known as the “Father of Nashua,” this elegant Federal-style residence features original woodwork, stunning period details, and a story that helped shape our city. Guided tours are available for $10 for non-members and free for NHS members, veterans, and active-duty military.
​
Next door, continue your journey through time at the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum. This engaging space is filled with interactive exhibits and local artifacts that bring Nashua’s past to life. At 12:45 PM and 2:00 PM, enjoy a screening of At Home and Abroad: Nashua and World War II, a moving, one-hour documentary that chronicles the city’s contributions on both the battlefield and the home front. The museum is fully accessible, and admission is free.
​
Family Scavenger Hunt Fun!
Make history fun for the whole family with our interactive scavenger hunt, specially designed for children and curious adults alike! Explore both museums while solving clues, spotting artifacts, and uncovering hidden details from Nashua’s fascinating past. Kids who complete the hunt will receive a small prize—and bragging rights as certified Time Travelers!
​
Free parking is available in the Nashua Historical Society’s lot or along Abbott Street.
Come spend a summer afternoon discovering the homes, heroes, and stories that shaped Nashua. Whether you're a lifelong resident or new to the area, this is your chance to connect with our community's rich heritage in a fun, meaningful way.
The Ghostly Tales of Nashua, New Hampshire
Do the Spirits of the Past Still Linger in Nashua? An Evening of Eerie Local Lore by local author Susanna Hargreaves at the Nashua Historical Society
Could the spirits of Nashua’s past still roam in the very places that legends have long whispered about in local ghost stories? Whether you are a fan of ghost stories, or simply curious about Nashua’s spirited past, come to the Nashua Historical Society on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. for a program by Susanna Hargreaves, local writer and educator. Susanna will guide us through some of Nashua’s most ghostly stories which are as rich and varied as the history they are built upon. From the bustling mills that once powered the city’s economy to the homes and streets where Nashua’s first settlers lived, Susanna will share spine-chilling tales of places like Clocktower Place, Martha’s Exchange, Mine Falls, Greeley Park, and more.
​
After the program, enjoy refreshments and browse Balin Books' pop-up shop, featuring The Ghostly Tales of Nashua, New Hampshire by Susanna Hargreaves. This new book makes a perfect campfire read or a unique gift for the ghost hunter in your life.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum Library, 5 Abbott Street, Nashua, NH
Admission: Free and open to the public. No registration required. Donations gratefully accepted.
Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible, with padded seating, large restrooms, an elevator, as well as a ramp from the free parking lot off Crescent Street.
​
About Susanna Hargreaves
Susanna Hargreaves is a writer, educator, and lover of New England’s mysterious history. Living on a historic (and haunted) road in New Hampshire, she’s passionate about uncovering the supernatural tales woven into the fabric of the region’s past. Susanna is a proud to have graduated from Nashua High School. Her knowledge of Nashua’s history brings a fresh perspective to the city’s ghostly legends.
Program: My Ancestor, the Accused:
A Descendant Remembers the Salem Witch Trials
Presented by: Mary Bingham, a native of Nashua, NH
Hosted by the Nashua Historical Society
Did you know that each person wrongfully accused during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials could have over 4 million descendants living today?
​
One such descendant is Mary Bingham, a native of Nashua and lay historian with a deep passion for colonial New England and the Salem Witch Trials. Mary, a descendant of three individuals executed in 1692, brings a personal and poignant perspective to one of history’s darkest chapters.
​
In this compelling presentation, Mary shares the story of her 9x great-grandmother, Mary Estey, who was hanged during the trials. Though often overshadowed by her sister Rebecca Nurse, Mary Estey’s story is one of strength, injustice, and dignity in the face of hysteria. From her early life in Great Yarmouth, England, to her role as a wife and mother in colonial Massachusetts—and ultimately to her wrongful conviction and execution—this talk will illuminate the life and legacy of a woman whose voice still echoes through generations.
​
Join us as we explore this powerful family history and gain a deeper understanding of the human cost of fear and intolerance.
​
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM, doors open at 6:30 PM; Refreshments will follow.
Location: This program will take place in the comfortable library located in the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum, 5 Abbott Street, Nashua, NH. The building is accessible with padded chairs, large bathrooms, an elevator between floors and a ramp inside from the free parking area off Crescent Street.
​
Admission: There is no need to pre-register; this is a non-ticketed, free event. Donations gratefully accepted.
The Nashua Historical Society
is a Blue Star Museum
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America, offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.
​
The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday,
May 17, 2025, and run through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.
​
Rotating Exhibits
Fairytales
Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum Library
On view through April 30, 2025
​
Find fairytales in Nashua with Kids Into Drama, children's literature, dolls, and more!
The Humane Society for Greater Nashua
​
On view at Nashua City Hall​
​
The current exhibit is about the history of the Humane Society for Greater Nashua and the pet cemetery located there. Check out the exhibit for history, fun facts, and Humane Society events!
​
Please visit The Nashua Historical Society’s changing exhibit case at Nashua’s City Hall!
The Abbot-Spalding House Museum is located at 1 Nashville Street, Nashua, New Hampshire.
​
The Nashua Historical Society, Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum is located at 5 Abbott Street, Nashua, New Hampshire.
​
Parking for both museums is available behind the Speare Museum or on the street.
​
For more information, contact The Nashua Historical Society at 603-883-0015 or nashuahistorical@comcast.net