| View this edition online»» | September 2007 | ||
| New Hampshire: A Proven Primary Tradition |
New Hampshire’s tradition of political participation goes back to the 18th century, and its town-centered style of government encourages active participation by all. The state has held a Presidential primary since 1916, and became first in the nation in 1920. By 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower won an unexpected victory against Robert Taft, an impressive 43 percent of eligible New Hampshire voters turned out to vote in the primary. In 2004, that number was up to 74 percent. New Hampshire: A Proven Primary Tradition gives insight into the unique character of today’s New Hampshire Presidential primary by presenting it in a historical context. The exhibition is organized into five sections, each exploring a different aspect of New Hampshire politics and the primary: Defining a Political Tradition, An Engaged Citizenry, Knowledge is Power, A Level Playing Field, and The Crucible of Politics. New Hampshire: A Proven Primary Tradition is sponsored by Rath, Young and Pignatelli; Boston Private Value Investors; the Mount Washington Resort; and BaileyDonovan; with the New Hampshire Union Leader and WMUR-TV as media sponsors. The exhibition is on view through May 24, 2008, at the Society’s library, located at 30 Park Street in Concord. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Society just released the first-in-the-nation bobblehead. For more than a generation, Neil Tillotson (1898-2001) captured the minds of America by casting the first vote in the New Hampshire Presidential primary every four years at the stroke of midnight. Now, the latest in the Society’s popular series of historical bobbleheads pays tribute to Tillotson and his distinctive role in U.S. Presidential elections. From 1960 to 2000, Neil Tillotson had the privilege of being the first voter in the small town of Dixville Notch, NH. The town’s other residents followed in the midnight voting. Tillotson and the voters of Dixville Notch exemplified New Hampshire’s longtime political tradition that encourages active participation by all. Tillotson, a native Vermonter, settled in 1954 on the land homesteaded by his great-great-grandparents in Dixville Notch, making it his final home. An inventor and entrepreneur, his inventions and innovations spanned decades, from the world’s first novelty-shaped toy balloon, the Cat Balloon, to the N-DEX, the world’s first nitrile examination glove. He founded Tillotson Corporation, a parent company to the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, a failing hotel that he purchased and revitalized into a New Hampshire institution. He lived to be 102 years of age, and the image of his casting the first vote in the New Hampshire primary was an icon for more than a generation. The town of Dixville Notch continues Tillotson’s tradition to this day.
The Neil Tillotson bobblehead is available in limited quantity through the New Hampshire Historical Society and through Fiddleheads Gift Shop in Colebrook, NH. It depicts Tillotson, as shown in a 1988 photograph, placing a ballot in the Dixville Notch ballot box. The bobbleheads retail for $15.95 and are available at the Society’s library (30 Park Street, Concord) and museum (6 Eagle Square, Concord), as well as online at nhhistory.org. Click here to view a "New Hampshire Union Leader" story. |
Hillsborough Historical Society Wins Award | |
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced recently that the Hillsborough Historical Society’s archival volunteers were the recipients of one of its major awards. In its 62nd year, the AASLH’s Leadership in History Awards program is regarded as the “nation’s most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.”
On September 8, 2007, at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Atlanta, representatives of the Hillsborough Historical Society accepted the Albert B. Corey Award for their volunteer efforts in cataloging and partially digitizing over 84,000 glass plate photographs and negatives that make up the historic Manahan-Phelps-McCulloch Photographic Collection. This prestigious award is named in honor of a founder and former president of the AASLH. It recognizes primarily volunteer-operated organizations that “best display the qualities of vigor, scholarship, and imagination in their work.” The Corey award is given by the Leadership in History Awards committee at its discretion. It is awarded only occasionally, just five times since 1996. The AASLH states “the mere fulfillment of routine functions does not justify an award. ACTION OVER AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IS A PREREQUISITE FOR THIS AWARD.” William Veillette, executive director of the New Hampshire Historical Society, has followed Archive Curator Gilman Shattuck’s leadership of the photo project since 2002. He said in his letter of support: “Awards are meant to encourage certain behavior. In my estimation, the deliberation, prudence, diligence, and determination with which this all-volunteer society has approached this enormous project is a model for it peers. Recognition of its efforts will give hope to other local historical societies that no project is too big or complicated to tackle given proper leadership and determination.” Hillsborough residents and future generations of New Hampshire historians appreciate and commend their dedicated efforts. Click here to view more photos from the Manahan-Phelps-McCulloch Photographic Collection. | |||
| Consuming Views - Last Chance | |||
| There's still time to see the New Hampshire Historical Society's exhibit of White Mountain art, Consuming Views: Art & Tourism in the White Mountains on view at the Society's Museum of New Hampshire History through October 8, 2007. The Society is offering a “Leaf Peeper’s Special” to all those who visit New Hampshire’s White Mountains this fall. The “Leaf Peeper’s Special” includes free admission to the Society’s museum where visitors can see the colors of the White Mountains captured on canvas in the Consuming Views exhibition. The special offer also gives “Leaf Peepers” a 10% discount on purchases in the Society’s museum store, including the full-color, hardbound book accompanying the Consuming Views exhibition.
To qualify for the “Leaf Peeper’s Special,” museum visitors simply present a receipt from any tourist-related establishment in the White Mountain area, such as hotels, attractions, restaurants, gift shops, and gas stations. The “Leaf Peeper’s Special” is valid through October 8, 2007, the last day to see the Consuming Views exhibition.
The beauty of the White Mountains has inspired artists and lured visitors to New Hampshire for nearly two centuries. Consuming Views showcases thirty-seven landscape paintings and dozens of historical objects. The exhibition is organized geographically, following routes 19th century travelers took while touring the White Mountains. Visitors will be able to explore the region’s key sites, beginning and ending in North Conway, home of the earliest White Mountain artists’ community. To view all thirty-seven paintings featured in the exhibition before or after a trip to the museum, visit the online version of Consuming Views. Consuming Views is funded by TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation; Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation; John J. and Joan R. Henderson; Catherine L. and Joel J. Bedor; the Mount Washington Cog Railway; and Capital Offset Company, Inc. The Museum of New Hampshire History, located at 6 Eagle Square in downtown Concord, is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. | |||
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The mission of the New Hampshire Historical Society is to educate a diverse public about the significance of New Hampshire's past and its relationship to our lives today. In support of this mission, the Society collects, preserves, and interprets materials pertaining to New Hampshire history. All of the New Hampshire Historical Society's programs and services are made possible by dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses.  |
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