New Hampshire Historical Society
Encyclopedia
The New Hampshire Historical Society was founded in 1823. Its mission is to educate a diverse public about the significance of New Hampshire
's past and its relationship to our lives today.
. Each year, the Society uses its collections to serve members and visitors through its research library, museum, publications, and outreach programs. The Society's education programs reach children from communities across the state.
The Society is an independent, non-profit organization
. The Society depends on contributions from private sources to fund its operations.
The Society collects objects, books, manuscripts, and images that document New Hampshire's history. The collections include approximately 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.
, the state capital: (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.
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.
.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
's past and its relationship to our lives today.
Introduction
The New Hampshire Historical Society was founded in 1823. The Society has an extensive collection of objects and archives related to New Hampshire's historyHistory of New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state of the United States of America located in the New England region in the Northeast. New Hampshire was one of the Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule in the American Revolution.-Founding: 17th century–1775:...
. Each year, the Society uses its collections to serve members and visitors through its research library, museum, publications, and outreach programs. The Society's education programs reach children from communities across the state.
The Society is an independent, non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. The Society depends on contributions from private sources to fund its operations.
Collections
The Society is the state's primary organization for collecting, preserving, and sharing Granite State history. Its museum and library offer extensive collections of resources and materials related to New Hampshire history.The Society collects objects, books, manuscripts, and images that document New Hampshire's history. The collections include approximately 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
Broadside (printing)
A broadside is a large sheet of paper printed on one side only. Historically, broadsides were posters, announcing events or proclamations, or simply advertisements...
and ephemera
Ephemera
Ephemera are transitory written and printed matter not intended to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek, meaning things lasting no more than a day. Some collectible ephemera are advertising trade cards, airsickness bags, bookmarks, catalogues, greeting cards, letters,...
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 in general research on New Hampshire history and genealogy by using any sources found in our library or museum. Research services can be requested by contacting the Society.Facilities
The Society owns three properties, all in ConcordConcord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, the state capital: (1) a 1911 library designed by Guy Lowell
Guy Lowell
Guy Lowell , American architect, was the son of Mary Walcott and Edward Jackson Lowell, and a member of Boston's well-known Lowell family....
; (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
New Hampshire State House
The New Hampshire State House is the state capitol building of New Hampshire, located in Concord at 107 North Main Street. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor and Executive Council...
, and Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
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 a 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. 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.Membership
All of the New Hampshire Historical Society's programs and services are made possible by membership dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses.Accreditation
The New Hampshire Historical Society is accredited by the American Association of MuseumsAmerican Association of Museums
The American Association of Museums is a non-profit association that has brought museums together since its founding in 1906, helping develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and advocating on issues of concern to the museum community...
.