Planning to visit the Woodman?
Thank You!
The Woodman is now closed for the season. Thank you for your support of our 104th season! See you in April for our 105th.
Thank You to the Strafford County Master Gardeners Association
Thank You to the Strafford County Master Gardeners Association for the creation, and ongoing care, of our beautiful Rain Garden.
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You can make a difference
Hi, I am David Tompkins the Executive Director of the Annie E. Woodman Museum in Dover, NH, and we are raising money to benefit the Museum, due to the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on our operations.
This has been the most challenging year since our founding in 1916, and we need your help!! Any donation will help us continue the legacy of Annie E. Woodman our founder, to remain a place for discovery and wonder, and the study our common history, the natural sciences, and the Arts.
Thank you in advance, for your contribution to this 104 year old institution that means so much to all of us at the Woodman Museum.

New Woodman Video Series
The Woodman Museum is making a new effort to provide video online video content for folks to learn more about the Woodman Museum and be able to appreciate the history from the comfort and safety of their home.
We'll keep uploading new videos as time goes on so be sure to check back often!
Want to see all of the video's we've made? Visit our Youtube Channel.
About the Woodman
The Woodman, founded in 1916, is a traditional early 20th-century style natural science, history, and art museum with exhibits for all ages. The campus is home to four buildings, which include the Woodman House (1818), the Hale House (1813), the William Damm Garrison (1675) and the Keefe House (1825). The museum’s collection includes hundreds of colonial artifacts; comprehensive mineral, shell and fossil gallery; mounted animal specimens; fine art and furniture; an extensive collection of militaria; local history objects; and much more. The Woodman is open seasonally to the public (from mid-March to mid-December) Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Our memberships provide wonderful benefits and supports our goal to preserve and conserve our local history.
Ways to support-
Woodman House
Built in 1818 as the residence of Charles and Annie Woodman, The Woodman House today is a unique example of an authentic 20th-century museum. It…
Hale House
The third structure of the four-building campus is the John Parker Hale House. Built in 1813 by John Williams — the “captain of industry” who…
Damm Garrison
Before the Woodman Institute had even opened its doors, Mrs. Ellen P. Rounds presented the Institute trustees with an authentic colonial garrison, the William Damm…
Thom Hindle Gallery
The Keefe House was built in 1825 for Asa Tufts, owner of Tufts Apothecary. In 1847, his son Charles took over the shop as Asa…
Upcoming Events
In the news
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Thank You to the Strafford County Master Gardeners Association
Read moreThank You to the Strafford County Master Gardeners Association for the creation, and ongoing care, of our beautiful Rain Garden. The Woodman Museum, 182 Central
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Woodman Museum seeks help in historic hard times
Read moreDOVER — Heading toward a new year, Woodman Museum Executive Director David Tompkins said additional money is needed to ensure the 104-year-old historical landmark can
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Marker to honor trailblazing Dover suffragette Marilla Ricker
Read moreDOVER — For over 50 years, trailblazing Dover suffragette Marilla Ricker fought for women’s right to vote. In honor of Ricker, who died a few
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The Works of Artist Robert Roché
Read moreThe Works of Artist Robert Roché will be featured at an Art show at our Thom Hindle Gallery 15 Summer Street October 23-November 29th. Last
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What our visitors are saying about their experience
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Our grandsons loved the many animals and especially the polar bear! But they also enjoyed all of the Native artifacts and the garrison house. The light show of gems was a big hit! Great place. Dover’s jewel.
Sheila H. -
Exactly what first time visitors should do when they come to Dover. Such a wide range of exhibits that there is something for everyone.
Robert Q. -
This is a fantastic little museum with a lot of interesting artifacts with local ties. My favorite is the preserved garrison which is worth the admission price alone. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and was always willing to answer questions. We spent around 4 hours here and I want to go back because I missed out on a lot of the exhibits. If it’s a rainy day or you are looking for something fun to do, I highly recommend spending the day at the Woodman.
Brad D. -
As a local I had driven past this museum many times and never stopped in…..until recently! I literally wandered in, expecting the polar bear to be the highlight and go home…..was I wrong.
Three hours later, I left this experience with a much greater appreciation of local history. I was exposed to an eclectic range of artifacts offering something for everyone.
David P. -
My boyfriend and I visited during our trip to Dover this weekend. I must say, I was not expecting so much! The workers there were so accommodating, friendly and knowledgeable. Everything from civil war, WWII,taxidermy, fossils and the oldest garrison home in NH, this place is chock full of great things! It took us almost 3 hours to get through, which it was not expecting. I thought it was simply a small museum in an old home. It was way more than that. We are interested in all sorts of history and museums in general so this was a great stop!
Lorin K. -
If you are interested in: NH history, American history, geology, fossils, archaeology, natural history, entomology, OR just have a day to kill, this is THE place to go. Having lived in the area my entire life, I was amazed at how little I knew about it!! We basically had a private guided tour of the museum and grounds and I can’t wait to go back!
Stan M.