What comes to mind when you think of New Hampshire? What best symbolizes the state and its people? The New Hampshire Historical Society offers up more than 100 possible answers in the exhibition “Icons of History: Objects that Define New Hampshire.”
The exhibition's Part I opened in May at the Society's museum, at 6 Eagle Square, and will be on view through the end of the year. The exhibition's Part II is now open at the Society's headquarters at 30 Park St. through July 7, 2012.
For nearly two centuries the New Hampshire Historical Society has collected and preserved thousands of objects, books, documents, and photographs about the state's past, and the treasure trove of items in Icons of History reflects the breadth and depth of these collections. Ranging from fine art to signs, military artifacts to political campaign items and tea sets to clothing, each object tells a story about New Hampshire's history, character, and culture.
Visitors will rediscover familiar icons of New Hampshire, like the legendary and popular symbol of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain, painted on the door of a Concord Coach, or majestic White Mountain paintings, and portraits of notables like Daniel Webster and Franklin Pierce. At the same time, Icons of History offers new and unexpected treasures that reveal the richness of New Hampshire's heritage, including retail signs, needlework, pottery, and tools crafted by everyday citizens.
Icons of History: Objects that Define New Hampshire (Part I) is on view at the New Hampshire Historical Society's museum, located at 6 Eagle Square through Dec. 31.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. After Oct. 15, the museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for seniors; $3 for children 6-18, with a family maximum of $17. Children under 6 and members of the New Hampshire Historical Society are admitted free.
For more information, visit nhhistory.org or call 228-6688.
