Woodman Institute Museum

Woodman Institute Museum

Woodman Institute Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
About
Museum campus has four buildings, featuring natural scince,local history,decorative arts, and contemporary art. Considered NH,s most eclectic museum. Yankee magazine award for best small museum in New England. Founded in 1916.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles108 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
21
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Iain G
Salem, MA41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
There are basically three parts - the Woodman House, which is a funny little Americana museum with a lot of natural history exhibits (and taxidermy), the Hale House, with lots of elegant decor and specialty exhibits, and the DAMM GARRISON house.
The Damm Garrison house was built in 1675 and was moved to the site in 1916 by horse power. It is the last remaining of Dover's original 14 fortified garrison houses.
Our guide was a volunteer, retired history teacher and was SUPERB. He had an encyclopedic memory and was a captivating storyteller.
Go see the Woodman Museum and don't miss the Damm Garrison or the Hale house.
Lovely restroom and picnic area, too.
Written August 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Therese C. Callahan
39 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
I arrived shortly after the museum opened at 10 a m on October 12. I wanted to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exhibit. Unfortunately, no one was there, and the doors were locked. So I just gave up, and went to lunch.
Written October 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travelingteacher51
Pepperell, MA1,375 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
We learned about this great museum on a TV program. Fantastic museum. We needed reservations because the docent takes you around. Mike was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
There is something for everyone and it would take hours to enjoy it all. We were there 2 hours. Nature, history, geology, art, etc. There is a great deal to see in all the building. The carriage house was closed because of the Covid. If you have never been there--I would suggest going. It is a hidden gem. The entrance fee was very reasonable. Check out the web site and my pictures. I hope this helps.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cjmPhoenix
phoenix123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012 • Family
Went to see a tour of the Woodman Museum and was blown away by the fantastic collection that ranges from one of the only remaining 1600's Garrison Houses left in the country to articles from the Revolution, Civil War, Lincoln assassination, World Wars, Cold War, etc. All of it is in the context of the local community and historical figures. Our tour was led by a gentleman named Tom. He was quite informative and kept everyone interested from 5 year old kids to grandparents. This is a great place to visit and a fantastic repository for American historical artifacts. Don't miss it.
Written July 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

erind982
44 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Friends
Nice museum it has many different artifacts which are under glass. My kids were interested in most of the displays, but lots of glass and no room for antsy children. So heads up! But educational!
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ticel2017
Dover, United States10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Family
What a treasure of historical things from our past. Even the buildings are part of the collection, with the Garrison house, the original Woodman house, and the Hale mansion you have all kinds of trivia and fascinating collections of historical items. Yes, POTUS#16 did sleep in Dover-several times. When you are in the Hale house look for the piano that Lucy used to play. You can almost hear the soft music of a beautiful debutante (some say on a quiet evening as you walk past the Hale House you might hear the sweet soft melancholy tune coming from that general direction or a even get a glimpse of John Wilkes Booth's fiance) playing the piano. Ask questions: every item has a story some are humors and some will stop you cold, but cause you to think about what was the 10th busiest sea port at on time.
Written January 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

slarson127
Dover, NH302 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Family
Dover nh will soon celebrate 400 years as a colony and state. much of this history is documented in the woodman. the tour of the dam garrison house takes you back to life and survival ancient America. Dover and the New Hampshire seacoast are thriving economically today and for the past 400 years and the woodman is a place to experience this
Written July 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carolejaffe
Dover, NH7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Family
The Woodman Museum offers a great opportunity to see what life was like in Dover during the 17th and 18 th century. There are also great and scary stuffed animals and other oddities. There is so much to see, so plan for at least 2 hours to wander.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JFL622014
Taunton, MA7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017
Very interesting museum with many different collections from nature, history, furniture and local history. The docents were friendly and very knowledgeable. It has a lot to see, so a second visit will be planned!
Written November 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amherstduo
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Couples
We live in NH and I can't believe we never heard of this museum until a local magazine spot-lighted it. Many different collections covering colonial times to present with emphasis on local (Dover) history. Very eclectic. Make sure you get the tour from the curator...he has a truly amazing amount of knowledge about the collections and local history.

We expect to go back regularly. Woodman should be much better known among New England attractions.
Written June 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Woodman Institute Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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