A Walking Tour of Exeter's Racial History

Exeter's Racial History Tour (90 minutes) invites visitors to walk the streets of Exeter, New Hampshire, and confront the town's layered past. Led by Sankofa Scholar & Tour Guide Barbara Rimkunas, the guided 90-minute walk moves through Exeter's town center, pausing at historic houses, interpretive markers, and civic spaces that reveal ties to the Atlantic slave trade and the lives of African Americans who shaped the community. The tour starts from the tour office at 2pm; arrive ten minutes early and note that if you don't arrive five minutes before departure your spot may be given away.

Tours operate rain or shine; all ticket sales are final unless the organizer cancels for unsafe weather or illness. On the route you’ll encounter colonial-era architecture — clapboard facades, brick foundations, and narrow streets — that frame stories about merchant wealth, contested memory, and community resistance. The narrative emphasizes documented links between local maritime commerce and transatlantic slavery, then shifts to personal stories of Black residents, abolitionist activity, and municipal decisions that continue to influence Exeter’s civic life.

The tour balances archival detail with street-level observation: plaques, gravestones, and preserved façades act as anchors for conversations about power, displacement, and restitution. What makes this experience stand out is the program’s explicit focus on civic dialogue. Rather than a simple stroll through pretty landmarks, this is a listening exercise that encourages questions and community-minded reflection.

The Sankofa framing and Rimkunas’s scholarship keep the tour grounded in historical sources while inviting participants to consider how past policies reverberate in present-day planning, schooling, and public commemoration. Practicalities are straightforward. Groups are capped at 20 people, which keeps the conversation intimate and responsive.

Expect moderate walking on paved sidewalks and some uneven historic stone; comfortable shoes are recommended. Language access and detailed pricing were not supplied; check the booking link for current availability. Because the itinerary is focused on correct interpretation rather than speed, the guide pauses frequently to read documents, point out archival markers, and answer questions.

This tour is ideal for curious history travelers, educators, families with older children, and community members seeking a deeper, documented account of Exeter’s racial past. It’s a local experience that links material evidence to civic memory, giving visitors the context they need to participate in future conversations about preservation, justice, and shared public space. Bring a notebook or phone for notes; guides reference primary documents you may want to record.

Photography is welcome, but be respectful at private properties and funerary sites. If you're an educator, ask about follow-up classroom resources and supplementary reading suggested by the guide. Book through the provided FareHarbor link to confirm dates and capacity — small group size means tours can sell out quickly.