New Hampshire Tidbit: There is NO President’s Day in February

Posted on 15 February, 2016 by Janice Brown

George Washington Birthday

Today is really a day to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday.  Both the federal and New Hampshire wording of the law calls it Washington’s Birthday. So why are we allowing this amazing day to be ‘watered down’ by calling it something else?

Traditionally (from 1799 to 1971) February 22nd was celebrated as Washington’s birthday, and for good reason–because it actually was his birthday. In Illinois and some other places, Lincoln’s Birthday was also celebrated during that month (on or around February 12th).

Along came the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, a well intended ruling to create more three-day weekends for United States federal workers that moved Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday of February. (Note that Columbus Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day was also moved at that time, then in 1980 Veterans Day returned to its November 11th date). But merchandisers (ie companies wishing to make sales) quickly adopted the “President’s Day” idea to celebrate all presidents, and to promote their wares, and have held onto it tenaciously. Continue reading →

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A 2016 New Hampshire Valentine’s Day Compilation

Posted on 13 February, 2016 by Janice Brown

victorian valentineIn earlier days of New Hampshire’s history, Valentines Day was held in higher regard. There were poems to compose, sweet gifts to distribute, and rituals to perform. Today the day seems much more commercialized.

In 1851 your shopping list for February 14th might have included bay leaves, small pins, eggs, salt, and clay. If you don’t understand why, then read on.   Continue reading →

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The Baker Children of Weare, New Hampshire (1910)

Posted on 10 February, 2016 by Janice Brown
Photograph postcard from 1910, Oliver Prescott Baker and Evelyn Baker, 202, North Weare New Hampshire.

Photograph postcard from 1910, Oliver Prescott Baker and Evelyn Baker, 202, North Weare New Hampshire.

Two lovely children, posed perfectly, look out from this photograph postcard. In addition to the ink script “Evelyn Baker, Oliver Prescott Baker,” there is penciled on the back, “202 North Weare NH.”

The postcard is dated September 1, 1910, is addressed to “Mrs. Alfred Osborne, Local,” and the hand-written words: “Dear Mrs. Osborne. Never mind the peaches for canning, I got some yesterday and have them put up. If you should have any left over for eating, we will have a few. Hartily, [sic] M.P.B.” along with a PS “Perhaps your children would like this card if you do not care for it!”

After a bit of research it becomes evident that the postcard sender was Maude (Prescott) Baker, wife of Rev. Ernest L. Baker. He was a Congregational minister who was installed at North Weare New Hampshire’s Congregational Church on June 18, 1902 where he remained until after 1910. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Early Elections: Bloody Noses, Riot and Corruption

Posted on 6 February, 2016 by Janice Brown

1848 votingEach time the presidential primary rolls around, some people become excessively focused on preventing potential vote cheating (which happens to be an exceptionally rare event here despite the hype). We like to think of New Hampshire as always putting the voter’s rights first, but historically this is not true. The current desire of the misguided to further limit us, may just our state’s citizens repeating their past mistakes.

From riots, bloody noses, and gerrymandering to the question of exclusivity (whether paupers, women and soldiers away from home could vote), local newspaper articles often  demonstrated how New Hampshire’s blood ran hot and passionately around election time. The following are only a few examples of these arguments. Continue reading →

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New Hampshire Tidbits: Live Free or Die on Automobile License Plates

Posted on 4 February, 2016 by Janice Brown
scenic2nh-b

Sample of New Hampshire emergency responders license plate in 1969 before the “scenic” was replaced with “Life Free or Die.”

In July of 1969 the New Hampshire legislature voted to print the New Hampshire state motto–“Live Free or Die” on automobile license plates. The printing began in 1971, replacing the word “Scenic” which described the state at that time.  [Info from Dallas Morning News, Dallas TX, July 7, 1969, page 18]

Continue reading →

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