Join us in celebrating the 100 year-anniversary of the birth of pilot, astronaut, and Derry native Admiral Alan B. Shepard, Jr.!

We will unveil the new "Alan B Shepard" exhibit with a ribbon cutting at 11:0 am. Guided tours will follow, as the Derry Jr. Historians show off and explain several new exhibits and displays throughout the Museum. Special broadcasts of the Alan Shepard interview as well as home movies will be running throughout the day.

Come find out more about one of Derry's most famous residents and his contributions to the space industry!

Admission is free.

Visit the Sons of Union Veterans and Allies in a Civil War encampment on the grounds of the Meetinghouse at First Parish in East Derry.

Reenactors and artisans will set up camp around the 1889 Civil War Memorial. The day will include a talk at the Civil War Memorial, visits to soldiers’ graves in the nearby Forest Hill Cemetery, indoor displays and talks, a lunch service for encampment participants, and the firing of an artillery piece.  

A highlight will be the graveside presentation of William L. S. Tabor‘s Medal of Honor award from the family to the Derry Museum of History, where it will be on loan. Tabor’s citation for actions at the Siege of Port Hudson in Lousiana reads:

Voluntarily exposed himself to the enemy only a few feet away to render valuable services for the protection of his comrades.

Read more about Tabor here.

Everyone is welcome to this family-friendly event; attendance is free. The event is sponsored and organized by the Derry Museum of History, and hosted by First Parish Church UCC. The Purple Snack Shack will be onsite offering a variety of food, drinks, and snacks, and air-conditioned seating is available in the church’s Currier Hall.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS — RAIN OR SHINE

On the Hour and Half-Hour 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

Civil War Cannon Live Fire Demonstration in the field behind Taylor Library

10:15 am

Presentation of the William S. Tabor Medal of Honor— 
Graveside, Graveside Ceremony


12:30 pm

Presentation on Derry’s Civil War Heroes at the Civil War Monument

2:30 pm

Civil War Tour of Forest Hill Cemetery, meet at the Front Gates

Throughout the Day:

• On display: restored circa 1880 flag of the George Upton Post, No. 45, of the NH GAR.

• Displays about and guided tours of the 1769 Meetinghouse at First Parish, currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar historic preservation effort.

• Sales for autographed copies of the authoritative book: Forward, Steady, Stay Cool! Derry’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors by our TJ Cullinane.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

SONS OF THE UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

This congressionally chartered organization was founded in 1881 as the successor organization to the Union Veterans group known as the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). The organization exists to honor and preserve the memory of all the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Revenue Cutter personnel who served the Union from 1861 – 1865.

The principles of the G.A.R. — Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty — carry on with the Sons. Learn more at www.suvcw.org.

The Gilman E. Sleeper Camp, No. 60 of Salem, N.H. will be participating in the Encampment. Learn more at their website, and get their latest updates on their Facebook page.

THE 6TH MAINE BATTERY

The 6th Maine Battery participates in parades and encampments, often with other Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry groups. They also do presentations to schools, civic organizations, and historical societies. The 6th Maine Battery has two detachments. The 1st detachment is in Maine, the 2nd detachment is in Eastern Massachusetts.

Membership in the 6th Maine Battery is open to anyone at least 16 years of age, with a serious purpose. This is a family-oriented group with men, women, and children. Families are encouraged to join as there is room for everyone and period lifestyles and positions to be filled. Members portray a soldier or citizen of the period. Learn more on their website and Facebook page.

CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Civil War Roundtable of New Hampshire was founded in May of 1991, and is dedicated to all aspects of the Civil War: Education, Preservation, and Restoration.

The CWRT-NH is a group of men and women who share a common interest in the War Between The States and that period in American History that defined Our Nation, as we know it today. The CWRTNH is a non-profit 501(c) organization, and their meetings and events are open to the public. Learn more on their website.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are suggested inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@derrymuseumofhistory.org or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are required inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@derrymuseumofhistory.org or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are required inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@derrymuseumofhistory.org or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are required inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@derrymuseumofhistory.org or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are required inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@derrymuseumofhistory.org or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.

Tour the Museum’s exhibits Wednesday evening and also see the Junior Historians at work researching and archiving! Ask us about the many historic artifacts that have been recently donated and our plans for the future.

Masks are required inside the Museum.

If you’d like to visit another time, please email info@ or leave a message at (603) 434-1247 to request a private tour.