The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speaker Series

The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speaker Series honors the legacy of Mark Connolly, a former Strawbery Banke Museum Trustee and prominent figure in finance, literature, and politics. In April 2019, following his passing, the Museum embarked on a mission to commemorate Connolly's memory and continue his dedication to intellectual discourse and civic engagement.

Connolly’s varied career, including roles as Director of the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities, an accomplished author, and a Democratic candidate for Governor, exemplified his unwavering commitment to public service and belief in the transformative power of education and dialogue.

Inspired by Connolly’s enduring spirit, Strawbery Banke initiated the distinguished lecture series to provide a platform for leading national speakers to explore a wide range of topics, from history and art to politics and current events. The Mark Connolly Distinguished Speakers Series aims to spark thought-provoking discussions and nurture intellectual curiosity within the community, ensuring that Connolly's legacy of civic responsibility and the pursuit of knowledge continues to inspire future generations.

  • Tuneful Treasures - Discovering Musical Instruments in American Collections

    Thursday, July 25, 2024, 6-7 PM

    Join Darcy Kuronen, Former Curator of Musical Instruments at the Museum of Fine Arts, for engaging anecdotes from his long career of working with historical instruments in collections throughout the United States, including examples at Strawbery Banke Museum. Kuronen describes how he came to work in this unusual but fascinating field and shares some of the remarkable stories behind rare instruments he discovered and researched, from the earliest American harmonica to a handsome upright piano made in 18th-century Ireland.

    Members $15; Nonmembers: 20.

    Register

  • Algonquian Continuance and Community

    Thursday, November 7, 2024, 6-7 PM

    Returning by popular demand, join Jesse Bowman Bruchac for “Algonquian Continuance and Community,” culminating his 30-year dedication to Algonquian language reclamation. Jesse's work, highlighted by his role in reviving the Virginia Algonquian language during the PBS series Jamestown, now extends to a three-year initiative with seven Virginia Tribes supported by an ANA grant. Collaborating with Dr. Conor M. Quinn, Jesse’s efforts span from the University of Southern Maine to Middlebury College, where he founded the School of Abenaki. During the presentation, Jesse will showcase the implementation of the Minimal Course, a pioneering language-teaching methodology, through engaging activities and examples. Expect traditional and contemporary music, including an original song in the Western Abenaki dialect encapsulating the Minimal Course’s essence. This event promises to demonstrate the transformative impact of language revitalization and community building.

    Members $15; Nonmembers: 20.

    Register

Past Lectures

  • Pleasure Gardens of the Colonial Revival - A Look at New England Colonial Revival Gardens

    Thursday, June 13, 2024, 6-7 PM

    Lucinda Brockway, Managing Director of Cultural Resources at The Trustees, illuminates the early 1900s Colonial Revival gardens of the Piscataqua River basin in this lecture.