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 Treasures of New Hampshire
From September 23, 2003, through February 28, 2004, the New Hampshire Historical Society featured Treasures of New Hampshire, an exhibition of some of the most historically significant items in the Society's library collection. The exhibition was on view at the Society's Tuck Library, located at 30 Park Street in Concord. Thanks to Our Sponsors Treasures of New Hampshire was sponsored by David L. Babson & Company, Peerless Insurance, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A. and Theresa's Catering. Featured Treasures Seven thematic sections in the exhibition (education, family, national events and famous people, business, entertainment, religion, and staff selections) helped to highlight the many different treasures in the Society's library collection. Of particular interest were letters written by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, and a letter to John Stark that shows he coined the Live Free or Die phrase. Among the books on display were a copy of the earliest pamphlet printed in New Hampshire, and a Bible printed in 1583 and rescued from French pirates. Also included was New Hampshire's constitution printed six months before the Declaration of Independence. Photographs included two originals by Henry P. Moore, one of the best-known Civil War photographers. The contents of this exhibition represented a small fraction of the materials available for research and viewing in the New Hampshire Historical Society's library collection. Narrowing down the list of items for display to 100 Treasures of New Hampshire was no small feat. The Society's staff oversee a collection of 800,000 pages of newspapers and selected one for inclusion here. Out of 50,000 books and pamphlets, they chose 20. From 6,000 postcards, they picked one for display. Some other fascinating items on view in the Treasures of New Hampshire exhibition included: a promotional poster of Cheng and Eng (the original Siamese twins) for their New Hampshire engagement in Concord; a letter from Thomas Jefferson to Salma Hale of Keene regarding Jefferson's disdain for Calvinist Christianity; a rare Civil War music book written for the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment Band; and an 1852 letter from poet Walt Whitman to New Hampshire's John Parker Hale urging him to run for President of the United States. Who Are We? Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing New Hampshire history through the Museum of New Hampshire History and the Tuck Library. The Society presents exhibitions and workshops to thousands of visitors each year. Join Us! Free admission to the Museum of New Hampshire History is one of the many benefits of membership in the New Hampshire Historical Society. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621, or use our convenient and secure online membership form.
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