woodman institute museum

This is a beautiful little museum, with rooms full of historical things associated with Dover and the surrounding area. Fascinating things for all ages. The real gem is a perfectly preserved original "garrison" home from Dover's early settling, moved to this site to preserve it. To be inside, and see how the settlers lived, is amazing, and a really great eye-opener for kids and adults alike. Go see this!

Hadn't been in years and decided to go on a whim. They've expanded some exhibits and the docents knew a lot and had bread anecdotal stories about the history of Dover in NH. Worth a visit of at least 2 hours but you could spend a day if you love museums. Keep up the good work Woodman Institute.

The museum has lots to offer. You can take a short tour of a home and see the kitchen area, pantry, sleeping quarters, etc. The home is two stories. In another building, there are stuffed animals as you would see at the Museum of Natural History in New York, of course, on a much smaller scale. There are labeled minerals and birds, too. There was an interesting exhibit on old cameras including some used by spies. Though, I wish there was more "history" in the notes of the cameras instead of just the names and dates. The day we visited they had a special exhibit on antique cars and cars from the 40, 50, 60, and 70. There were also a handful of old bikes. Most of the cars were in pristine condition. The owners were eager to talk about their fine machines. Unfortunately, due to the crowd, there was no tour of the home. But you could walk through it, and a guide pleasantely answered questions. The cost is $8, but seniors pay $2 less. Children are $3. I wouldn't recommend this museum unless the child was at least six years old, though. I also wouldn't advise going on a warm day, though, because it does get hot in the museum even if it is only 75 outside. There is a restroom on site, but it needs better ventilation. There is on site parking. All in all, it is a surprisingly fine museum to spend an hour or so on a cool day.

Great way to spend a rainy day...and I do mean a day. We learned so much and our guide was knowledgable, informative and entertaining

This is one of those rare gems, a museum frozen in time, with a vast collection assembled in a small space. Minerals, fossils, shells, mounted animals and birds, all on display in cases as they would have been a century ago, along with a collection of arms from various wars are part of the self-guided tour. A guided tour will take you to view the last Garrison house of Dover, and then on to another building on the grounds which has a truly remarkable collection of Dover related artifacts, from the textile mills, the local fire and police departments and merchant seamen. Well worth a stop, and quite affordable too.

We had a guided tour of the three buildings including the 17th century garrison house. Everyone gets a personal guided tour jam packed with lots of historical information and objects from bygone eras. There is a huge polar bear at the main entrance who greets guests. Although small by big city standards this museum holds its own because of the diversity of the exhibits and presentation. I would recommend this museum to tourists, families alike. We learned a lot about New Hampshire and its place in US history.

My husband and I came to Dover after going to what seemed to be every museum in Massachusetts. We can't say enough good things about the Woodman Institute Museum! There is such a wide variety of exhibits- everything from natural history to early colonial settlements to the Civil War. We LOVED it-- the staff was very helpful and informative, and ensured we were able to experience everything possible. After over a dozen museums limiting their collections, it was fantastic knowing the museum admission actually allowed you to see most of their collection. If you're still dubious-- we were able to go upstairs in their 1675 garrison house. Where else can you do that?!

My favorite museum ever! It has everything from a 4 legged chicken to an original 1675 garrison house. Helpful staff guide you through and are a wealth of information. Highly recommend to anyone in the area. It is a great value also. This is a MUST on any trip through new england.

Can remember going there as a kid and that was 50 years ago went again last year and it was super they have done a great job

Wandered in while visiting Dover. A nice little museum spread across three houses on the edge of downtown. The place is crammed full of stuff, all kinds of stuff. Taxidermy from small animals to a 10 foot polar bear and more than one moose. Butterflies and moths. Rocks and gems. Dolls. Military history. Dover history. An antique fire truck. A colonial house with a trove of colonial artifacts. The museum was running a special exhibition celebrating the 175th anniversary of photography, with more cameras, pictures, negatives, and photographic equipment from that 175 years than you can imagine.If anything the museum has too much stuff on display. And not enough context, not enough story. It is a collection of collections. Not a bad thing. Serendipity and surprise are great. And for a small town museum this place has tons of stuff. But, still, a bit more explaining things- at least who collected all these things and how - or putting them in context would make this an even better place. A great place to wander through and while away a couple hours or more.

Top notch attraction. Fun, unique Museum for the entire family. One of kind items mixed with historical and scientific offerings. A great place, for enjoyment and learning. Make sure you see the Garrison house.

I have lived in this area for 30 years and only recently visited this museum on a school field trip. It will now be on my list of places to take all of my out-of-town guests! Especially love the old house hidden in the back!

I love the Woodman Institute, and wish more people knew more about it. It's kind of a modge podge of collections, but all equally great. Every few months, they change an exhibit in the front. My favorite it the Garrison out back that you can go inside and see what it was like living in New Hampshire in the 1600s. Very cool.

I have been many times and always something new. It is a great place for adults and children. If you are interested in History this is the place to spend a long afternoon.

The Woodman Institute Museum is a conveniently located, and often underrated piece of local charm. While it may seem like an unassuming old house from the street, you will find room after room of historical artifacts. There are actually four houses included on the property, all full to the brim with information and antique pieces from the Dover area, New England in general, and all over the world. If taxidermy interests you, you will find many interesting specimens from all walks of life including a full sized polar bear, giant man eating clam shell, birds of all varieties, and much more! There are rooms dedicated to war memorabilia touching upon every important time period in American history. See photographs from the mill days in Dover, fire fighting equipment, Native American tools, and even fossils dating back thousands of years. The crown jewel of the experience for me was the Garrison House, an "authentic colonial garrison" built in 1675 and moved to its present site from the Back River District in Dover. It is an incredibly well preserved example of life during its time, with hundreds of home artifacts intact. If you love history, there will be something at Woodman for you!