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 To
commemorate the Pierce Bicentennial, numerous political, historic,
and social events have been planned for the Granite State.
Hillsborough
Historical Society
Franklin Pierce Homestead
Hillsborough
603-478-3165
Pierce Manse
Concord
603-225-2068.
Museum of New
Hampshire History
Concord
603-228-6688
Franklin Pierce
College
Rindge
603-899-4000
Franklin Pierce
Law Center
Concord
603-228-1541
An American President turns 200
On Tuesday, November 23, 2004, Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States will turn 200. To celebrate the bicentennial of the only person from New Hampshire to serve as U.S. President, the New Hampshire Historical Society will host a birthday party from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at its Tuck Library, located at 30 Park Street in Concord. The public is invited to stop by for a piece of birthday cake, a tour of highlights of the Franklin Pierce: Defining Democracy in America exhibit, and a glimpse at a rare Pierce artifact on display just for the event. Admission is free.
The rare item is a unique ceremonial gold ring given to Pierce by gold miners from the State of California. Adorned with jewels and rare minerals, the ring is symbolic of the gold rush, and the promise of wealth in the West. Pierce biographer Peter A. Wallner and Wesley Balla, the Society's Director of Collections and Exhibitions, will be on hand to talk about the history of the ring and offer personal tours of the exhibit.
Franklin Pierce was the only President to have said "I promise" instead of "I swear" at his inauguration. He was the first President to have a Christmas tree in the White House, and installed the mansion's first central-heating system. The four years for Pierce's term, 1853 to 1857, were tumultuous, and are considered a turning point in American history. Often blamed for failing to prevent the Civil War, Pierce became a footnote to history, often dismissed or forgotten by historians.
Franklin Pierce: Defining Democracy
The exhibition Franklin Pierce: Defining Democracy in America explores the life, times, and legacy of this forgotten and controversial President. Pierce is revealed though more than 100 objects, paintings, photographs and documents drawn primarily from the New Hampshire Historical Society's museum and library collections, as well as from important material from other institutions. After almost a century and a half of obscurity, this free exhibit offers a new look at the man who grew up with his nation, and led at a turning point in U.S. history. The exhibition is on view through May 8, 2005.
The exhibition content and script were developed in consultation with Peter A. Wallner, author of the recently published two-volume life of Franklin Pierce (Plaidswede, 2004).
Major funding for Franklin Pierce: Defining Democracy in America is provided by Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, P.A., with additional support from the Lane and Elizabeth C. Dwinell Charitable Trust; New Hampshire Political Library; New Hampshire Humanities Council; Banknorth Wealth Management Group, Trustee of Benjamin Cohen Trust u/w; Franklin Pierce College; Louis Karno & Company Communications; the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation; Theresa's Catering; and the Duncan S. McGowan Fund for Eagle Square.
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire 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's Tuck Library is located at 30 Park Street, in Concord. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information or directions call 603/228-6688, or visit the Society online at www.nhhistory.org.
Franklin Pierce: New Hampshirešs Favorite Son
Franklin Pierce served as United States President at a turning point in American history. Now, the first new biography of Pierce in almost a century is about to be published, casting a new light on one of our most controversial Presidents. Franklin Pierce: New Hampshirešs Favorite Son, Vol. I by historian Peter A. Wallner, examines Franklin Piercešs (1804-1869) life up to his inauguration as President of the United States in 1853, examining new material, documents, and accounts about Piercešs rise to power. The result is a dramatically different picture of who Pierce was and how he came to be elected President. Two thousand and four marks the 200th anniversary of Piercešs birth.
Franklin Pierce is our least known, least studied, and, therefore, our most misunderstood former President, Wallner said of why he chose his subject. Piercešs three decades on the political stage saw him actively engaged in decision-making on every major issue of the pre-Civil War period from the rise of democracy and common man in politics to westward expansion and immigration. It seemed to me that a more thorough study of Pierce's life and career would only add to our understanding of the forces at work in New Hampshire and the United States at this crucial time in our history.
Growing up with his nation, the personal story of Pierce's life as told by Wallner can be described as exciting, triumphant, and tragic. Wallner says that Pierce established and maintained intimate friendships with many of the leading figures of the time including Daniel Webster, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee.
What may be most surprising about Wallneršs book is its revelations of Piercešs public and personal views of slavery. Piercešs critics have always accused him of going over the top to protect the rights of slave-holders in the South. But, Wallner found letters and speeches where Pierce made no secret that he saw slavery as a stain on the nation, and that he wished it had never existed. But, he also saw it as the political third rail of the 19th century, and knew that if the framers of the Constitution could not deal with it, neither could his generation. It was Piercešs liberal tolerance that Wallner says led him to clash from the beginning of his political career with Abolitionists. While Pierce feared the conflict that their anti-slavery beliefs could cause, he could not support the anti- immigrant, anti-Catholic, and prohibitionist beliefs that also followed the movement. As a young man, he saw the violent conflict and confrontation that Abolitionism brought to New Hampshire in the 1830s.
Peter Wallneršs biography of Pierce, Franklin Pierce: New Hampshirešs Favorite Son, Vol. I is available at bookstores and through the publisher at www.plaidswede.com and www.nhbooksellers.com. Volume II is planned for publication by 2008.
Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire's Favorite Son, Vol. I By Peter A. Wallner ISBN 0-9755216-1-6 Plaidswede Publishing $29.95
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