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slug: Museum of New Hampshire History Exhibits Three Recent Franklin Pierce Discoveries

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CONCORD, N.H. — Three important new objects that shed light on the life of Franklin Pierce have been placed on display in the foyer of the Museum of New Hampshire History. All three items were almost unknown to historians who study the life of Franklin Pierce before the opening of “Franklin Pierce: Defining Democracy in America.”

The items include a hotel register from 1864 where Pierce registered with his ailing friend Nathaniel Hawthorne. Former President Pierce had persuaded his good friend to take a trip through the White Mountains in hope that it would restore the author’s poor health. Meeting in Boston, Pierce began a carriage trip through the White Mountains with Hawthorne on May 17, 1864. After stopping at Center Harbor, they reached the Pemigewasset House in Plymouth, N.H., at sunset on May 18, 1864. Pierce registered at the hotel for his ailing friend and himself, but unfortunately discovered at 3 am the next morning that Hawthorne had died in his sleep.

The second item is a rare photograph, or ambrotype, of Mrs Pierce’s aunt, Abigail A. Means, who assumed many of the duties of hostess at the White House for President Franklin Pierce, 1853–57, while her cousin and friend Jane Means Pierce mourned the death of her son Benny. After living at the White House, Abby Means returned to live in the Means House at Amherst.

The third item is a telegraph message from 1852 that was the first news received in New Hampshire of Pierce’s surprise nomination by the Democratic convention. The Democratic Party nominated the unknown Franklin Pierce as its candidate for President in Baltimore on June 5, 1852. News of Pierce’s nomination reached Concord, N.H.’s telegraph office in the Eagle Hotel Block by the next day. John C. Moore, a newspaper reporter boarding at the American House in Concord, recognizing the news as an important event in history, preserved this copy of the telegraphic announcement.

The objects have been given or loaned to the New Hampshire Historical Society. The Museum of New Hampshire History is at 6 Eagle Square. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and Sunday noon to 5 pm.

For information 603-228-6688 or www.nhhistory.org.

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MONADNOCK ARTS AUCTION

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JAFFREY, N.H. — The third annual Monadnock Arts Auction, sponsored by the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, February 5, at 6 pm, in the newly decorated function room of the Shattuck Golf Club.

The evening will begin with champagne and a gourmet buffet. The bidding will begin promptly at 7:30. This year, for the first time, an original painting, a colorful landscape titled “Two Trees” by Kitty Bass Cloud of Peterborough and Woods Hale, Mass., from which the poster was designed, will be auctioned at the live auction.

Preceding this lively event, the silent auction preview will begin with the opening reception on Monday, January 31, at the Jaffrey Civic Center from 5:30 to 8. Participants will be able to meet the artists, view the live auction pieces and start the bidding in the silent auction. The silent auction will continue Tuesday, February 1, through Friday, February 4, from 11 am to 7 pm, and on Saturday, February 5, from 9 am to noon.

Tickets for this black tie optional event are $30 each and are limited to 400. Tickets may be purchased at the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Steele’s, and Sharon Arts Center Craft Store. Posters are also available at the above locations. For information, 603-532-4549.

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WASHBURN’S SAN ANTONIO POTTERY SHOW

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LIVE OAK, TEXAS — Washburn’s San Antonio American Glass, China and Pottery Show will be February 12, 9 am to 5 pm, and February 13, 10 am to 4 pm, at the Live Oak Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road. Live Oak is known as the “Gateway to San Antonio.”

William P. Walker, seminar speaker and author of Paden City Glass Company, 1916–1951 will lecture on Paden City glass. Penny Drucker, a California dealer, will conduct a seminar on “Candlewick” and exhibit a display of the colors of Candlewick.

Linda Bredengerd, acquisition chairman of the National Depression Glass Association, will conduct a seminar on the NDGAs effort to assemble a “National Glass Collection.”

For information, 210-599-0635.