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The independent nonprofit that saves, preserves, and shares New Hampshire history.

Sketches offer glimpse of life in the Civilian Conservation Corps 

 
Drawing of Self Jan 11, 1940 / New Haven, Conn.
George C. Soule
As a young artist struggling to survive during the Great Depression, George C. Soule (1914-2008) found work as an artist in the New Hampshire Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  He was among the three million 18-to-24-year-old men participating in the public works relief program to construct parks and conserve our nation's natural resources.
 
A New Hampshire native, Soule was educated at Manchester West High School and studied at the Massachusetts School of Art and the Manchester Institute of Arts & Sciences for two years.  Needing to help support his family, he worked as an artist documenting life and work in New Hampshire's CCC camps from 1935-1937.  
 
Soule then won a scholarship to study at Yale University, graduating with a BFA in 1941. He returned to Manchester and studied architecture, eventually establishing the firm of Soule & Associates designing houses, churches, schools, and commercial buildings across New Hampshire.  Soule designed many post-World War II public and private buildings in the Manchester area, including Dobles Chevrolet.  Although working as an architect from 1945 through 1994, he maintained a lifelong interest in art, sketching portraits, and painting murals.
 
Soule's drawings are pencil, pen, and crayon sketches on paper consisting of portraits, life studies, and genre scenes related to CCC service.  He documented the lives of workers clearing forests, building roads, and relaxing after work.  These sketches are a rare visual record of everyday life among camp workers. 
 
The New Hampshire Historical Society recently received a gift of more than 300 works by Soule, including drawings of CCC life and renderings of architectural projects.  The George C. Soule Collection was the gift of Patricia, Cynthia, and Peter Soule.
 
 
men dragging wood 
 
 
Bennie / Gilsom / Keene
George C. Soule (1914-2008)
1936
Pencil on paper
Gift of Patricia, Cynthia, and Peter Soule
2009.026.015b

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recreation
 
 
 
 
Recreation
George C. Soule
(1914-2008)
c.1935
Watercolor on paper
Gift of Patricia, Cynthia, and Peter Soule
2009.26.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dobles
   Dobles Chevrolet / Manchester, NH
   George C. Soule
   (1914-2008)
   1970-85
   Crayon and colored marker on blueprint
   Gift of Patricia, Cynthia, and Peter Soule
   2009.26.145

 
   To see more of George C. Soule's drawings, visit the photo album on the
   Society's Web site.
 
 
Putting People First: Politics and the history of
New Hampshire's favorite pastime
 
 A six-week history course
 
  political history course
 
As the political season heats up, the New Hampshire Historical Society is offering a history course on the state's political history.  This six-part course will take place October 7 through November 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Society's library, 30 Park Street, Concord.
 
 

Learn more about this history course... 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Pierce/William R. King Campaign Poster by Nathaniel Currier
 (1813-1888), 1852; hand-colored lithograph from New York, New York; Anonymous
 gift to the New Hampshire Historical Society, 1971.44.

 

 

Do you love a mystery?

 
Here at the Society we have a few.  There are images in our collection that we know very little about.  Here's where you come in!
  
September mystery photo
Mystery bar
 
 
Do you know anything about this photograph?
 
If so, e-mail us at
[email protected]  with any information, and thank you for your assistance!
 
Still a mystery...
 
poker players
 

In our last issue of the E-Newsletter we included this image of poker players. Unfortunately, no one came forward to identify the group.

 

 
 
 cdListen: New Historical New Hampshire audio journal focuses on White Mountain tourism history
 
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the large hotels which brought fame and prosperity to the White Mountain region by the late 1800s. The Grand Resort Hotels and Tourism in the White Mountains audio edition is available for purchase as a CD or as several free MP3 files. 
 
 
The CD image is the Crawford House, Crawford Notch, watercolor, by John Badger Bachelder (1825-94), c. 1858. New Hampshire Historical Society.
 

Smithsonian Museum Day is Coming September 25

 
Museum Day ticket
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums across the country open their doors for free to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket.  This year, the date is September 25.  Download a ticket to admit two people to the New Hampshire Historical Society museum...and if you are already a member of the Society, see which other museums are participating and plan a visit to one of them!
 
 

Thanks to you...

All of our programs and services are made possible by dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Make history -- JOIN TODAY.
 
The Society is proud to share the names of its business partners with you.  Please visit them and tell them you appreciate their contributions to New Hampshire history!