Mission & History
“The New Hampshire Veterans Heritage Learning Center offers a robust, creative, and interactive educational environment for students and the public to learn about the selfless service and sacrifice of our NH military veterans and their vital role in all aspects of our nation’s distinguished military history.”
The NH Veterans Cemetery Association advanced funding for the project to include the production of a documentary film ("A Living Memorial").
The NH State Veterans Cemetery has become a living memorial. Family, friends, veteran's groups, and students from local schools come to visit, see, and learn about the generations of veterans buried here.
Soon after the Veterans Cemetery’s opening, we recognized the importance of providing a resource to the public to facilitate education about our honored veterans and the crucial role they have played in securing our freedom. Thus, the idea of the Veterans Heritage Learning Center was born.
New Hampshire has a long and proud military history dating back to the 1600’s. Throughout four centuries, one in every ten Granite Staters has served in our nation’s military. New Hampshire’s history of military service is significant and needs to be shared with all generations, from the very young to the very old.
The 1200 square foot Learning Center attached to the back of the current Administration Building showcases kiosk exhibits of NH heroes, a multi-media "foot locker theater" featuring hands-on exhibits and military items from various wars and services, interactive learning and a “Journey of the NH Soldier” timeline.
The Learning Center is designed to be multi-functional and can accommodate meetings, receptions, and presentations seating for up to 30 delegates.
The VHLC is a partner in education in NH hosting field trips and volunteer activities from public & private schools, homeschooling networks, clubs, and organizations. We continue to add historical curriculum resources that are available both online and at the center. If you would like to become a part of our network, please email vhlc@nhvca.org.
We Innovate. We Honor. We Educate.
The Veterans Heritage Learning Center was designed in 2015 and opened on November 11, 2018. It is a place that highlights the military history of New Hampshire and the veterans who bravely served the country. The center has a range of exhibits that provide an immersive learning experience for visitors.
Modular walls tell the story of New Hampshire’s rich military history starting in the late 17th century through the Colonial wars, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I & II, Korea, and Vietnam into the present-day operations across the globe including Iraq and Afghanistan. No matter what generation was called to duty, New Hampshire's sons and daughters answered the call.
The center features interactive displays that showcase the stories of New Hampshire veterans. The goal of these exhibits is to educate visitors, teachers, and students about the veterans' selfless commitment to serving our nation and the significance of safeguarding the freedoms we enjoy every day.
The Medal of Honor Wall at the center narrates the heroic tales of every New Hampshire veteran who has been awarded the highest military honor of our nation. On the other hand, the Hometown Heroes Kiosks, which encircle the inside of the center, showcase individual profiles of veterans from New Hampshire, including Alan Shepard from Derry and Senior Chief Dan Healy from Exeter.