NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS TREASURES OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

The N.H. Historical Society presents Treasures of New Hampshire, an exhibition of some of the most historically significant manuscripts, books, photographs and maps in the Society's library collection, from September 2, 2003 through January 3, 2004.

Seven thematic sections (education, family, national events and famous people, business, entertainment, religion, and staff selections) help to highlight the many different treasures in the Society's library collection.

Of particular interest are letters written by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, and a letter to John Stark that proves he coined the "Live Free or Die" phrase. Among the books on display are a copy of the earliest pamphlet printed in New Hampshire, and a Bible printed in 1583 and rescued from French pirates. Also included is New Hampshire's constitution printed six months before the Declaration of Independence. Photos on display will include two originals by Henry P. Moore, one of the best-known Civil War photographers.

David Smolen, Special Collections Librarian of the N.H. Historical Society says, "You can study past national, even international, events by looking at local history."

The contents of this exhibition represent 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 114 Treasures of New Hampshire was no small feat. Smolen says he and Librarian Bill Copeley oversee a collection of 800,000 sheets of newspaper 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.

Included in the Treasures of New Hampshire exhibition:

• 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 Hales of Keene regarding Jefferson's disdain for the Calvinist movement;
  
  
• One of the first American collections of band music, including the "Port Royal Polka" written by New Hampshire's 3rd Regiment in the Civil War to commemorate their service in South Carolina;
  
  
• An 1852 letter from poet Walt Whitman to New Hampshire's John Parker Hale urging him to run for President of the United States.
  

The Treasures of New Hampshire exhibition is at the Tuck Library, 30 Park Street, Concord, N.H. The Tuck Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Treasures of New Hampshire is sponsored by David L. Babson & Company, Peerless Insurance, McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A., and Theresa's Catering.

Founded in 1823, the N.H. 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 serves thousands of children and adults each year through its varied education programs. Find out more about Society programs and services online at www.nhhistory.org or call (603) 228-6688.