When the pandemic first hit, the museum was in the middle of a busy spring season of school programming. Many of the programs had to be shut down before they were finished. During the stay-at-home order, the 10-acres of Strawbery Banke were devoid of visitors.

When the museum was able to reopen in June, staff decided to lean into the experience of the pandemic. They designed a new tour — Emerging Renewed — which taught visitors about previous challenges that Portsmouth residents had endured and how they got through.