Programs and Events at the Historic Belknap Mill
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Call (603) 524-8813 or send email information@belknapmill.org for reservations, confirmations, ticket sales, and any information you may require.
Laconia Knits - OnGoing
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Knitting machines, from 1865 to 1945, tell the story of the Lakes Region’s major role in industrial knitting in America.
Watch machines manufacture socks, caps and other products. A hydroelectric power system, in use from 1918 to 1969, is partially operable.
Products made on the knitting machines are for sale in the Meetinghouse Gift Shop, open daily Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and during special events.
June 10 - June 30, 2008
10,000 Machines-Paintings by John David O’Shaughnessy
A special show to celebrate the annual Motorcycle Rally. At the time The Tao was written, 10,000 was the 
largest number of anything imaginable. Many more bikes will fill our towns and villages from June 14th through the 22nd. John David O’Shaughnessy sees each of these motorcycles as reflections of each of their owner’s personalities. His paintings of these machines are all done from life from actual bikes around The Lakes Region.
Friday, June 13, 2008 5:30 PM
Recognition Reception + Mill Workers Remembered
The public is invited to a summer party on Friday, June 13th at 5:30 p.m. to honor one individual and one business for their outstanding long-term service to the Historic Belknap Mill. This gala event in the beautiful Rose Chertok Gallery on the third floor of the Mill will include a dinner and complimentary beverages catered by Vineyard’s, a family Restaurant. Prior to the dinner, guests will be invited to a pre-reception viewing of John David O’Shaughnessy’s motorcycle portraits in oil, 10,000 Machines. These contemporary paintings and prints in the downstairs gallery are all done from life from actual bikes whose owners live in The Lakes Region. This year’s honorees are Mill Trustee, John Moriarty and the Melcher & Prescott Insurance Agency. The event is an opportunity to celebrate the Mill’s success as a cultural and community center as well as to thank its outstanding volunteers. The elegant, leisurely-paced event is sponsored by Peter S. Karagianis, the first president of the Belknap Mill Society, who continues to provide leadership and support as a donor, trustee and volunteer. As part of the festivities, the Meeting House Gift Shop is introducing its Cabot Sock Corner with pictures of the amazing tour made when the Mill was invited to the Cabot Hosiery Mill in Northfield VT. The presentation will show how state-of-the-art sock production is done today in New England’s last remaining sock Mill. Much of the story may seem very familiar to those with knowledge of the Historic Belknap Mill’s past. Cabot‘s history began right here in Laconia, so you’re in for a great story. Tickets are $45.00 per person, of which $15.00 is a tax deduction. Proceeds support the Belknap Mill Society’s operations as a cultural center. To make reservations, call the Historic Belknap Mill at 524-8813.
June 14-22nd, 2008
10,000 Machines Events, Motorcycle Week
As in 2007, Harley Davidson USA is locating its corporate Road Show in the parking lot next to the Historic Belknap Mill. To celebrate this year’s Bike Week, the Mill is hosting 10,000 Machines, an exhibit of oils and limited-edition prints by artist, John David O’Shaughnessy from June 10th-30th. Opening for show will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 12th.
Many other events are planned for the Bikers and their fans...
*Phantom Phenders, amazing custom paint bike artistry, is donating a complete paint job as a raffle for the Mill’s kids programming fund. In addition, two fenders and tank for a Harley Davidson Soft Tail Heritage bike will actually be painted right inside the Mill during bike week for visitors to watch award winning artist, Mindy Beth’s work evolve from beginning to end.
*In the tradition of a Hosiery Mill, “Darn Tough” Biker socks from the Cabot Mill, the Belknap Mill’s Vermont contemporary will be for sale in the Meetinghouse Gift Shop. The Belknap Mill made socks for our troops in WWI, and Cabot continues the tradition for our troops in Iraq with their “Darn Tough” Army green and Navy Seal socks.
Saturday, June 28th, 2008
Boston Rocks
Boston Rocks is the first in a hope-to-be tradition of special sports series for children and adults to spend time with sports personalities from Boston teams. The inaugural event begins with a free, all-baseball-oriented kid’s day with sports celebrities and entertainers, hands-on events, t-shirts, food, and a chance to visit a 3rd. floor memorabilia exhibit. This part of the program is organized by the Laconia Police department under the direction of Chief Mike Moyer, as a partnership with the Mill.
An evening fundraising party is planned amidst the memorabilia display to give older sports fans a chance to share hors d’oeuvres and a libation or two with special celebrities, such as “Mr. Red Sox,” Johnny Pesky.
Friday, JuLY 11, 2008
American Red Cross Blood Drive
As a community service, the Historic Belknap Mill is hosting this blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross.
July 1 - July 22, 2008
Summer Magic
An exhibit that captures the feeling and beauty of summer through the special magic of five very unique and different artists. This exhibit will be a major feature of the Laconia Summer Arts Festival, Saturday, July 12th, from 8-2:00 p.m. Stroll downtown Laconia and enjoy live art demonstrations, art vendors, live music, dancing, and theater performances. Special children’s events will include face painting, sidewalk chalk painting and much, much more. Local business will be helping to "paint the town" as each will host an artist for the day. Use the Art Walk map to direct you to downtown businesses and galleries showing fine art. Enjoy the colorful sites and the beautiful sounds as Laconia celebrates its first annual Summer Arts Festival.
Thursdays, July 2008- August, 6:30 PM
Riverside Concerts
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Wednesday - Saturday, August 6-9
Used Book Sale
This popular event features hundreds of book bargains of all types, from collectible special editions, to paperback novels for the beach. The event coincides with Laconia Main Street's Sidewalk Sale Days.After 20 years, this will be the last Used Book Sale and will be in honor of trustee and book lover Jean Graves.
August 13 - September 6
A Celebration of the Lakes
The never-ending wonder of the beautiful lakes that surround us and make Laconia, The City on the Lakes.
Saturday, September 6
Multicultural Market Day
Join us for a "smorgasbord" of all-day arts performances, displays, food products, and vendor booths! Around town and the Mill!
September 9 - October 4
From Bridge to Bridge
A collaborative project between the Architectural firm of Misiaszek Turpin, the Laconia Historical Society,
The Planning Department of the City of Laconia, and the Historic Belknap Mill to highlight the river shores between the two bridges that nestle the Mill Plaza area. Multiple programs and an exhibit are planned, including a charrette involving the community.
Saturday, September 20
From Bridge to Bridge WalkingTour
A hands-on walking tour focusing on the French Canadian influence in the City of Laconia as part of the
2008 Quebec 400 Celebration.
October 7 - November 1
Autumn Invitational NH Art Professors
A Juried Show honoring the amazing talents of the professors in our own state’s universities and colleges.
October 24 - 26
Fall into Winter Flower Festival
Art in Bloom compliments to the gallery exhibit, and in the Rose Chertok Art Gallery/Hall, juried contests in seasonal floral arrangement by professionals and garden clubs, orchid and garden vendors, demonstrations and workshops, chowder, teas, cookies and hot cider and seasonal sweets.
November 5 - 29, 2008
Ken Fiery, Robert Frost
A very special exhibit of 20 paintings by Ken fiery based on individual poems by Robert Frost.
A full program of lectures, storytelling, and a unique Robert Frost Symposium are planned for
all the great poet’s followers.
Fri., Nov. 7, 2008 6:30 pm
Historic Belknap Mill 185th Anniversary Celebration & Live Auction
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Celebrate the Historic Belknap Mill's 185th Birthday with a feast of food and festivities. Lakes Region restaurants and caterers will host a seated dinner of “signature dishes” and complimentary wine and non-alcoholic beverages. A Live Auction will feature fine products and services.
November 1 - December 19 at Noon, 2008
Tickets on Sale: Christmas Stocking Raffle
Let us fill up your Christmas stocking, with a $5,000.00 cash award! From Nov. 17 – Dec. 22, we'll be selling 100 tickets @ $100.00 each, with a guaranteed $5,000.00 cash award! With each ticket, you will receive a Christmas stocking made on one of the Belknap Mill's vintage knitting machines.
December 8 - 31, 2008
Trees for the Holidays
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Two $100 prizes (1 adult category, 1 student category) will be awarded on Friday, December 19.
Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Holiday Open House
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Friday, December 19, 2008 Noon
Stocking Raffle Drawing
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December 31, 2008 11:30 PM
Ring in the New Year!
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The bell was cast by George Holbrook, an apprentice to Paul Revere, in 1823. Free admission. Refreshments will be served.
February 7 - 29, 2007
“The Four Gentlemen Meet a Mouse”
An exquisite exhibit of Chinese Brushwork paintings by Bruce Iverson and Ming-Chien Liang
On February 7th, Lunar New Year’s Eve...from 4:30 to 6:00, the exhibit opens. The Four Gentlemen
are the orchid, the plum blossom, bamboo, and the chrysanthemum, and each represents different virtues. During the Manchu invasion, Ming scholars and magistrates retreated to the high mountains and communicated to each other secretly through paintings of these four. The Western year 2008 is the Lunar Year of the Mouse or Rat, and portends prosperity and abundance, so it is good to Meet a Mouse, especially amidst such beautiful Asian brush paintings.
Sunday, February 17, 2007 1:00-5:00 p.m.
An Oriental Bazaar!
Save Sunday, February 17th, from 1:00 to 5:00PM, for an afternoon of fun for the whole family.
Wander through stalls of hand-crafted wonders, munch on Asian treats, and listen to music !
From 2:00 to 3:00 PM, there will be very special and unique form of Japanese story telling
by a very special storyteller, Laconia Public Library Children’s Librarian, Gail Drucker.
At 1:30 + 3:30, try your hand at Asian calligraphy, and learn to paint the character for mouse,
and find New Year’s luck.
The Opechee Garden Club will be doing Art in Bloom, An Asian Sensibility, in the art gallery.
Remember Multicultural Market Day in the fall? This promises to be just as much fun and to become a new, yearly tradition at the Mill.
Chinese brush painting Workshops - 2007
Try your hand at one of the world’s oldest forms of painting still contemporary today, beautiful and fun. For Information call 524-8813.
Introduction to Chinese Brush Painting - Sunday, February 24th, 10:00-4:00 p.m.
Plum Blossom - Sunday, April 13th, 10:00-5:00 p.m.
Children’s Chinese Zodiac Birthday Scroll Workshop - Sunday, April 27th, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, February 28, 2007 4:30 PM
Annual Meeting of Belknap Mill Society
The Historic Belknap Mill will hold its annual membership meeting with the election of trustees, a review of the previous year, goals for the future, and recognition of special volunteers from 2007. All members and interested people are invited to attend.
March 10 - 28, 2007
Arts Alive
Lakes Region schools and communities celebrate the talents of students, K-12, with exhibits and performances. View the art and performances and attend receptions in honor of each school district.
Tuesday, March 11, 2007 8:00‑3:00 p.m.
Statewide Professional Development Day for Educators
“Architecture in the Arts" is the theme for this year's statewide professional development day for teachers. This program is open to integrated art teachers, support staff, and administration personnel. A $40 admission fee includes catered breakfast and lunch, hands-on activities, materials, and a Certificate of Attendance from the NH DOE. Participants will explore ways to develop visual arts activities through the world of architecture. Bruce Hamilton and Sonya Misiaszek, will be presenting “AIANH Learning By Design”, an interdisciplinary experience in community planning. This established program involves “….using our communities in the present to learn about the past and plan for the future…” The day will be filled with presentations, hands on explorations and open discussions beneficial to all K-12 curriculums.
April 7 - 12, 2007
Recycling FUN
Project EXTRA! hosts a week of “Recycling FUN”. Join us in viewing creations by Project EXTRA! students that use recyclable materials such as: egg cartons, paper plates, paper and Styrofoam cups, toilet paper rolls, etc…Enjoy children’s ideas, creativity and imagination! See how reusing materials can bring enjoyment and help our environment at the same time. On Monday April 7th there will be an Open House from 4:30-6:30 pm featuring Theatre presentations from each of Project EXTRA’s elementary programs and the middle school program. The exhibition includes a story time and other activities for elementary school children.
Refreshments will be served. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Saturday, April 26, 2007 7:00 PM
Woods Tea Company concert
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Wood’s Tea Company has been entertaining audiences at The Belknap Mill for over ten years now and we are delighted to have them back! Celebrate spring with their rollicking, foot-stomping blend of Irish folk music, ballads and sea shanties. Know for their excellent rapport with audiences, this trio is guaranteed to provide a fun-filled evening! Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here at the Mill. Please call 603-524-8813 for more information
Monday, April 28, 2007 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Volunteer Workshop for "My First Day of Work in a Mill" Field Trip Program for Kids
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April 29 - June 6, 2007
My First Day of Work in a Mill
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Children take on the identities of people who worked in this mill and learn the different jobs to make the socks. In addition to taking pride in their heritage and practicing good management and teamwork, they also learn business applications they can use for the rest of their lives.
This program was the first in the state to meet the new standards for teaching math, economics, government, geography and history and received a national award in 1998.
Friday, May 2, 2007 7:00 - 11:00 PM
Private Collections Events: The Groovy 60's!
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Belknap Mill Society -
The Mill Plaza -
25 Beacon Street East -
Laconia, NH 03246 -
(603) 524-8813