City of Nashua: Connecting Residents to Their Hometown

People can live in a city for years without knowing much about what it offers. They commute to work, follow familiar routes, and miss the park, program, or piece of history just a few blocks away.

Nashua, New Hampshire, wanted to change that. With new residents moving in and many people commuting to Boston, the city wanted to give families more reasons to explore close to home. The goal was to turn residents into hometown tourists—and help newcomers and longtime Nashuans feel more connected to their city.

We worked with staff from Nashua’s mayor’s office to create a custom coloring and activity book that gives families an entertaining introduction to the place they call home.

Helping residents discover what’s available to them

Nashua’s team wanted residents to discover city services and programs, including the library, public health, parks and recreation, public safety, sustainability, and the arts.

That’s a lot of information to communicate, especially to families who may not be looking for it yet. We developed illustrated activities that introduce these subjects alongside local history and discoveries.

For the city, the book provides a way to share information across departments in one resource. For families, it offers a chance to find something they didn’t know was available: a place to visit, a program to explore, or a service they may need.

Giving local history a personal connection

The city also wanted families to understand Nashua’s history and culture. Knowing what happened in a familiar place can give people a different appreciation for it—and a reason to care about what happens next.

We approached that history with curiosity and humor. The timeline includes a second “Welcome to Nashua” sign with the aside, “This time we mean it!” It’s a small detail, but exactly the kind of joke that rewards someone for paying attention.

Kathleen Palmer, who works in city communications and events, found herself learning things about her own hometown:

“I LOVE IT! I learned new things as a lifelong Nashuan AND laughed out loud!”

That response captures what Nashua hoped to offer both new and longtime residents: the pleasure of discovering something about home.

Starting the relationship early

Nashua wanted children to see themselves as part of the community, too. Introducing city services through an activity book gives young residents an early, friendly encounter with the people and programs around them.

The book was designed to support that sense of belonging. Understanding what a city does—and where residents fit in—gives families a starting point for getting involved. It also gives city staff a way to begin building familiarity and trust before a family needs assistance or has a question.

Reaching families through events and schools

Nashua released the book at a city event over Memorial Day weekend in May 2026, with school distribution planned for the fall.

Those distribution opportunities serve different purposes. At events, staff can put the book directly into residents’ hands. Through schools, the city can reach families who may not attend those events. Both support the same goal: getting useful, interesting local information to more households.

For Nashua, the finished book is a resource several departments can use to introduce their work, celebrate the city, and invite families to participate.

What would you like more residents to know about your community? We create custom illustrated books and activities around that question. Tell us about your project.