Star Party
Saturday, September 19, 2026
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location
139 St. Gaudens Rd, Cornish, NH
Price
0
Star Party
Overview
Experience your local national park after dark. This free, annual event is supported by volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers of the Stellafane Observatory. Attend any or all of the activities listed below. Registration is not required.
Ravine Trail Dusk Hike
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Explore the woodland landscape that inspired Francis Grimes, one of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' sculptural assistants, on this one-hour ranger-guided hike. Wander through park grounds in the evening light before descending along the Ravine Trail to hear the experiences of Francis Grimes through her own words. Guided by history and the natural world, let the forest surrounding Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park inspire you. This program requires hiking approximately 1 mile across unpaved, forest terrain with steep elevation gains and losses. Lanterns are provided. Meet at the visitor center.
Junior Ranger Night Explorer
7pm - 9:30pm
This National Park Service program encourages young park visitors to explore the starry side of their national parks. Children can learn how to find the North Star, write their own creative mythology about the constellations, track the phases of the moon, learn about stars and galaxies, and use all their senses to explore the night environment. Rangers will be on hand to distribute this activity booklet and provide a special Junior Ranger patch upon completion.
Astronomy Presentation
7:30pm - 8:15pm
Learn about astronomy with volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers while waiting for darkness to fall and the stars to appear. Meet at the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial.
Night Sky Viewing with Telescopes
8:15pm to 9:30pm
Look deep into the night sky with the help of numerous telescopes built and operated by volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers.
Ravine Trail Dusk Hike
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Explore the woodland landscape that inspired Francis Grimes, one of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' sculptural assistants, on this one-hour ranger-guided hike. Wander through park grounds in the evening light before descending along the Ravine Trail to hear the experiences of Francis Grimes through her own words. Guided by history and the natural world, let the forest surrounding Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park inspire you. This program requires hiking approximately 1 mile across unpaved, forest terrain with steep elevation gains and losses. Lanterns are provided. Meet at the visitor center.
Junior Ranger Night Explorer
7pm - 9:30pm
This National Park Service program encourages young park visitors to explore the starry side of their national parks. Children can learn how to find the North Star, write their own creative mythology about the constellations, track the phases of the moon, learn about stars and galaxies, and use all their senses to explore the night environment. Rangers will be on hand to distribute this activity booklet and provide a special Junior Ranger patch upon completion.
Astronomy Presentation
7:30pm - 8:15pm
Learn about astronomy with volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers while waiting for darkness to fall and the stars to appear. Meet at the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial.
Night Sky Viewing with Telescopes
8:15pm to 9:30pm
Look deep into the night sky with the help of numerous telescopes built and operated by volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers.