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Fast Facts
We love New Hampshire.
And, we've been saving its history for nearly two centuries.
Since 1823, the New Hampshire
Historical Society has been preserving our state's past and telling its rich stories to each generation. Nowhere
will you find a more extensive collection of objects and archives related to New Hampshire's history.
Each year, the Society uses its vast collection to serve thousands
of members and visitors through our research library, museum, publications, and outreach
programs. And, our education programs touch the lives of children from virtually every community across the state.
The Society is an independent, nonprofit organization, not a
state-funded agency. All of our work to save, preserve, and share New Hampshire's past depends on contributions
from people like you.
To our members, we say thank you. And, to all others who share
our love of New Hampshire, we invite you to discover us today!
Mission
The New Hampshire Historical Society's mission 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.
Collections
The Society is the state's premier organization collecting,
preserving, and sharing Granite State history. Its museum and library offer the most extensive collection of resources
and materials related to New Hampshire history that can be found anywhere.
For close to two centuries, the Society has gathered objects,
books, manuscripts, and images that tell New Hampshire's story. The collections include 30,000 museum objects,
50,000 printed volumes, 1.5 million pages of manuscripts, 800,000 pages of newspapers, 200,000 photographic images,
10,000 broadsides and ephemera items. Ranging in date from pre-contact to the present day, the Society's holdings
reflect broadly the state's economic, political, social, and cultural history.
Research Services
The New Hampshire Historical Society's staff is prepared to assist you in general research on New Hampshire history and genealogy by using any sources found in our library or museum. Research services can be ordered online and by telephone or mail. For details, see the Research Services
page of this Web site or contact Librarian Bill Copeley at bcopeley@nhhistory.org or 603/856-0641.
Facilities
The Society owns three properties all centrally located in Concord,
New Hampshire's capital city: (1) a 1911 library designed by Guy Lowell; (2) a mid-19th-century commercial structure
renovated and opened as the Society's museum in May 1995; and (3) the Eagle Stable, a brick building
adjacent to the museum, purchased in October 1993 and currently used as office rental space.
Exhibitions
The Society's museum features the long-term overview
called New Hampshire Through Many Eyes. The museum also offers changing exhibitions
on a variety of topics.
Several items from the museum collection, including paintings,
furniture, the original eagle from the New Hampshire State House, and Revolutionary War flags can be seen at the
Society's library. Temporary exhibitions are also featured in the library's gallery. In addition, the Society develops
traveling exhibitions.
Education
The Society offers a variety of educational programs, including
school tours at the museum, outreach programs to classrooms across the state, workshops, lectures, demonstrations,
courses, family days, and technical workshops for local historical societies and libraries. The Society published
the state's first-ever New Hampshire history curriculum for grades K-12.
Publications
The Society's publishes a semi-annual journal, Historical
New Hampshire, and a quarterly newsletter featuring information on the Society's events and activities. These
publications are two of the many benefits of membership in the Society. Additional special publications include
exhibition catalogs, gallery brochures, and school activity guides. The Society's publications have received awards
from the American Association for State and Local History.
Governing Board and Staff
The Society is governed by a 19-member Board of Trustees. The Society employs 13 full-time and 25 part-time staff,
assisted by 80 volunteers.
Fellowships
Along with 18 other cultural organizations, the New Hampshire Historical Society is a member of the New England Regional Fellowship Consortium, which offers grants for projects that draw on the collections and resources of the collaborating organizations.
Join Us!
All of the New Hampshire Historical Society's programs and services
are made possible by membership dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Free admission to the
Society's museum and library are two of the many
benefits of membership. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621 or use our
convenient and secure online membership form.
Accreditation
The New Hampshire Historical Society is accredited by the American
Association of Museums.
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