If you made it to the Wright Museum of World War II for our 2025 season, then you know it was a season to remember! For the first time we featured displays from the Cold War era, channeling everyone’s childhood imagination of exciting espionage, and highlighting political tensions and duck and cover drills. We enjoyed harkening back to the time just after World War II, with two superpowers in the making and America just beginning to understand how the changes from World War II would shape us for the future. Visitors certainly seemed to enjoy our Cold War exhibit; From Spies to Satellites: The Cold War Era was so popular that we extended its run! Originally scheduled to end September 1st, visitors’ interest kept the exhibit open through the end of the season.
Our other temporary exhibit, Those Who Cared for Those Who Served, highlighted the often-unsung heroes of World War II. From the chaplain corps to the medical corps and beyond, those who kept our military in fighting shape during the war were front and center. Like our Cold War display, Those Who Cared for Those Who Served was also a fan favorite—so much so that we hope to turn it into a traveling exhibit in the future. Whether you had the opportunity to visit in person and want the opportunity to bring the experience to your hometown, or you wish you could have come to the Museum but couldn’t, we’d love the chance to let others learn more about some of World War II’s quietest and mightiest heroes. Stay tuned for more information on when this traveling version will be available to rent!
Even though we’re officially closed for the season, don’t miss the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees. This event will be hosted by the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees committee at the Museum from December 6–14, 2025. For a full schedule of dates and for more information about the festival, please visit (https://www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees.com/aboutus).
While we are proud of our 2025 season, we at the Museum are already looking forward to opening the doors on our 32nd season in May 2026. Here’s a sneak peek into what we’ll be featuring next year:
Our Art Gallery will host two brand-new exhibits, both honoring New Hampshire’s role in shaping American history. First, as part of the NH Heritage Museum Trail’s America 250 celebration, the Wright Museum will highlight the amazing history of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, with particular emphasis on its vital role in building submarines in World War II. The shipyard produced an astonishing number of submarines, including the world-record launching of four submarines in a single day on January 27, 1944.
Alongside our tribute to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, next season the Museum will feature an exhibit honoring the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) from its birth during World War II to the modern day, with a unique focus on CAP activities in New Hampshire. The Museum will be working with the Hawk Composite Squadron, Laconia NH and CAP’s northeast regional historian to create this special display honoring both CAP’s and New Hampshire’s contributions. Both exhibits belong in the must-see category!
Though we are a museum dedicated to World War II history both on the battlefields and the home front, we are also honored to recognize the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Our 2026 lobby display will celebrate our country’s milestone birthday with a dynamic, interactive experience related to both D-Day and the American Revolution. Take a stroll through our lobby and witness the evolution of American military uniforms from the Revolutionary War through the modern day. In addition, we will pay homage to the famous World War II poster entitled “Americans Will Always Fight for Liberty.” As a nation that has always embraced freedom, especially through the sacrifices of those who fight for us, the Wright Museum is honored to pay tribute to those who have fought for and protected us every day—for 250 years and counting.
To everyone who visited the Museum in 2025, we at the Wright Museum send a heartfelt thank-you. To those who are planning to come visit the Museum in 2026, we can’t wait to see you. Our 32nd season can’t come soon enough! Make sure to check our website periodically to learn more about the 2026 season and special events at the Museum.
