The Discovery Center offers a unique Great Bay environmental heritage program in September and October. Each field trip includes the following activities:

Tom Wiggin, Salt Marsh Farm Boy

How did salt marsh hay farmers live along the shores of Great Bay over 100 years ago? Through an interactive story telling experience your students will get to know of Tom Wiggin's life as a salt marsh farm boy. Have they ever tried "switchel," a favorite drink of the farmers? Well, they will! Students will also be able to take a close look at some very old salt marsh farm tools and discover the secret of staddle building.

Trail of the Arrowhead

Did you know that the Great Bay Discovery Center is located at a spot along the edge of Great Bay that was once used by the Msquamskek people over 400 years ago? Come along and follow the "Trail of the Arrowhead." A guide will lead your students on a discovery walk where they will learn about native plants and animals along the way. Students will travel "back in time" as they visit an Abanaki style fishing encampment. While in camp they will have a chance to taste smoked fish, a staple in the diet of the Pennacook and Abanaki Nations that once fished Great Bay.

Time’s Treasures

Dig into the past during an activity that introduces your students to the people who lived around Great Bay over the last 400 years.  Students become “archaeologist” as they dig through sand searching for replicas of artifacts that may have been used by Native Americans and Colonists that once settled the shores of Great Bay. 

Gundalow Row, Gundalow Sail!

Weigh anchor and hoist the sail!  We are off to explore an historic sailing barge of Great Bay! We will climb aboard and visit the only Piscataqua River Gundalow left in existence, known as the Captain Edward H. Adams. Berthed at the Discovery Center waterfront each fall, staff of the Gundalow Company  will help your students learn about the power of the Estuary's tides and why New Hampshire's watery coastal highway of two hundred years ago was home to hundreds of cargo carrying gundalows.