JerriAnne Boggis, Executive Director of BHTNH, at the African Burying Ground Memorial in Portsmouth.
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) is transforming the way Granite Staters connect with history, working to make Black narratives more visible and meaningful for present and future generations. The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) spoke with Dariya Steele, the organization’s Tour and Speaker Outreach Coordinator, to learn how BHTNH promotes an appreciation of Black history and inclusivity in New Hampshire’s communities.
Bring Black History to Light
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire grew out of the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail started by Valerie Cunningham over 30 years ago. Founded as a statewide organization seven years ago, BHTNH ensures that over 300 years of Black stories of resilience, achievement, and courage are shared across New Hampshire. The organization’s initiatives to elevate Black history include educational guided tours, cultural events and celebrations, and creating historical markers.
The historical marker project is a significant endeavor of BHTNH, commemorating Black lives and contributions in key locations across the state. “Our goal is to challenge the perception that there isn’t a diverse history in New Hampshire, which isn’t true,” Steele explained. “We don’t have to silence these narratives just because they aren’t the majority,” she added.
“Our goal is to challenge the perception that there isn’t a diverse history in New Hampshire, which isn’t true ... We don’t have to silence these narratives just because they aren’t the majority.”
The BHTNH strives to create four to five new markers every year. This year, the organization added markers in Exeter, Manchester, Milford, and Dunbarton, as well as a special marker in Portsmouth honoring its founder, Valerie Cunningham.
A total of 26 markers share inspiring untold stories of Black individuals. For example, the new marker in Manchester, NH honors the contributions of enslaved people to the city’s textile industry, underscoring the often-overlooked role of Black labor in New Hampshire’s industrial past. In Dunbarton, a marker commemorates Scipio Page, a Black veteran of the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars who served as a captain of a regional Black militia. And in Milford, a marker remembers Harriet E. Wilson, the first Black individual to publish a novel in English in the United States, in 1859.
A Collaborative and Rigorous Process
Creating a marker involves local communities, historians, educators, and the BHTNH team. “It’s a fun process,” Steele said. “But the application takes at least a month if you’re committed.” Applicants must submit initial research on the individual or historical episode, which is then reviewed by BHTNH’s marker committee. There are several rounds of revisions before the final text is approved, and the marker is produced.
One of the challenges is deciding what details make the final version, as there is a 150-word limit for each marker. Steele explains the delicate balance of sharing histories that include enslavement and oppression in an authentic and uplifting way. “We focus on the hardships that person endured and how they rose above those challenges,” she said. “We honor their lived experiences and the incredible contributions they made despite their circumstances.”
“We focus on the hardships that person endured and how they rose above those challenges ... We honor their lived experiences and the incredible contributions they made despite their circumstances.”
These markers simultaneously acknowledge a painful past while celebrating strength, perseverance, and the profound impact these individuals had on their communities. This nuance is an important part of BHTNH’s work to educate future generations and increase the visibility of Black stories that have existed since the foundation of the country.
Beyond Markers: Education and Celebration
While the historical markers are central to its mission, BHTNH’s work extends far beyond that work. The organization offers educational tours, creates teaching resources, and hosts cultural events like its annual Juneteenth celebration.
“Juneteenth is a joyous celebration of freedom,” Steele said. “It’s become a very big cultural moment for New Hampshire. By spearheading that festival, we’ve motivated other organizations to join in, building momentum for Black history and culture to be celebrated in the state.”
BHTNH also welcomes school trips and aims to provide teachers with tools to share Black history accurately and meaningfully, especially during Black History Month. “We’re developing a curriculum to help educators teach history truthfully,” Steele shared. In light of recent pressures to prevent teachers in New Hampshire from addressing racism in lessons, these initiatives are particularly important.
Representation and Hope
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is not just about history — it’s about identity, belonging, and pride. “Representation is so important,” said Steele. “Sharing this history and culture shows young Black children that they matter in this state, even if they sometimes feel unseen or undervalued. It’s our way of saying, ‘You are loved, respected, and part of this community.’”
“Representation is so important. Sharing this history and culture shows young Black children that they matter in this state, even if they sometimes feel unseen or undervalued. It’s our way of saying, ‘You are loved, respected, and part of this community.’”
For Steele, the mission is deeply personal and transformative. “As a Black woman who grew up in New Hampshire, I was surprised to learn about the Black narratives that took place here,” she shared. “A lot of people don’t realize there’s Black history in this state.”
Through its markers, programs, and partnerships, the Black Heritage Trail is reshaping how New Hampshire’s history is understood, celebrating the stories that have long gone untold. By illuminating the contributions of Black individuals, the organization inspires a deeper sense of belonging for everyone. As Steele explained, “We’re showing that Black history is New Hampshire history—and that makes all the difference.”
“We’re showing that Black history is New Hampshire history– and that makes all the difference.”
About Dariya Steele
Dariya is the Tour and Speaker Outreach Coordinator at the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire and a recent graduate in Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies at the University of New Hampshire.
About JerriAnne Boggis
JerriAnne is the executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, the founder and director of The Harriet Wilson Project; and the previous Director of Diversity Programs & Community Outreach at the University of New Hampshire.