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Society digitizes daguerreotype of Civil War nurse Sarah Low

 

The Society's collection of Sarah Low objects and letters includes this digitized daguerreotype of this volunteer nurse, who cared for soldiers injured in the Civil War. The Northeast Document Conservation Center digitized the daguerreotype, which makes it much easier to discern Low's likeness than looking at the original object. This image will be shared online as part of the Society's capital campaign to create catalog records accompanied by pictures.

  
Low's letters to her family describe her activities as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War, focusing on her daily routine at Union Hotel Hospital, Georgetown, and Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D.C. Some of these letters were published in New Hampshire and Massachusetts newspapers. Letters include details about conditions at the hospitals, patients, battles, excursions throughout the countryside, and Washington social and political events. The letters also include  various accounts of nurse Dorothea Lynde Dix, superintendent of army nurses during the Civil War and renowned crusader for the mentally ill, and her negative encounters with Low. Low was soon transferred to Armory Square where, under Dr. Willard Bliss, her letters suggest she was much happier.
  
Stay tuned...these letters will eventually be digitized and shared online, so researchers or anyone else who is interested in learning more from the primary source documents will be able to have access to them.

 Broadside commemorating War of 1812's Battle of New Orleans is conserved

 
Although no battles were fought in New Hampshire during the War of 1812, our residents defended the nation and closely followed the events of America's second war for independence. News of the defeat of the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, electrified the nation as it spread across the country, ending the War of 1812 with a resounding American victory. Jesse Cochran (1790-1819), editor of the Vermont Republican in Windsor, Vermont, and a native of New Boston, printed this broadside for sale celebrating the victory as well as success at the earlier Battle of Plattsburgh. An array of poems, battle accounts, and numerous comic illustrations entertained readers as well as celebrating the defeat of the British by honest, liberty-loving Americans.This rare broadside, which was recently conserved, is part of a large and important bequest of papers, photographs and objects documenting New Hampshire history made to the New Hampshire Historical Society by Dorothy Mansfield Vaughan of Portsmouth in 2004.
  
Its digitization will make the image and information about the broadside available to anyone with access to the internet, and is made possible through support of the Connections Through Time capital campaign.

SAVE THE DATE!

Society's Annual Meeting is Sat., May 3, 2014

  

The New Hampshire Historical Society's annual meeting is the first Saturday of May. This year, the program will include Thomas F. Kehr talking about Paul Revere's Portsmouth Ride on Dec. 13, 1774, as well as a dramatic presentation by Rachel Revere; and a chance to catch up with other Society members and learn about what's happening at the Society!
  
Remember, the annual meeting is an event reserved for members only, and reservations are required. Lunch is $10. If your membership has lapsed, you may renew online with a credit card, or drop a check in the mail to us: New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St., Concord, NH 03301.
  
Painting of "Paul Revere's Ride to Portsmouth,"
 attributed to Phillip Callahan (1918-1991), 1941. Watercolor on paper.
Study for mural painted at the Post Exchange, Camp Langdon.

 Society in-store spring sale offers 25% discount 

  

The Spring sale at the Society is a good time to purchase gifts that celebrate New Hampshire! Take 25% off the price for in-store purchases, excluding food and previously discounted merchandise. Make a birthday, anniversary or any day special with a New Hampshire gift.
  
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