To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Office of Mayor Chuck Grassie is supporting a special educational program designed to prepare potential mentors in the colonial history of Rochester, New Hampshire.

This week-long seminar series will be led by historian Patrick O. Connelly, a noted expert on Rochester history before 1800. Intended for anyone interested in the colonial era, the program offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge, work with original records, and help build a well-informed community of mentors.

Participants will:

• Learn how to read and interpret original colonial town records.
• Gain a broader understanding of these records within the history of the Province of New Hampshire through published transcriptions.
• Examine how early views of the Rochester area helped spark interest in the region.
• Use research experience to develop and share effective mentoring practices.
• Join thoughtful discussions on topics of interest to participants.
• Help establish a dedicated group of mentors committed to expanding knowledge of Rochester’s colonial period.

Participants will receive explanatory materials throughout the program. There is no fee to attend beyond the commitment of time and participation. Many of the resources presented during the sessions have not previously been available for public viewing.

To reserve a place, please contact poconnelly@rnhcc.com and include your name, email address, and mobile number so you may be notified of the location for each day. Sessions are expected to run from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 20–24. Attendees are encouraged to participate in all sessions, but each day covers an independent topic and may be attended individually.

With the consent of participants, contact information may be shared among attendees to encourage the formation of a focused study group committed to the subject. Participation in such a group is entirely optional, though this model has proven beneficial in past learning settings.