First Stop: The New Hampshire Primary Campaign buttons from the collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New Hampshire Political Library. Exhibition Offered Retrospective of New Hampshire Primary The history of New Hampshire's unique role in choosing the U.S. President was explored in the exhibition, First Stop: The New Hampshire Primary, on view at the Museum of New Hampshire History in Eagle Square in Concord, from April 29, 2003, through March 28, 2004. The exhibition was presented jointly by the New Hampshire Historical Society and the New Hampshire Political Library. First Stop captured memorable moments of the New Hampshire primary with photographs ranging from Dwight D. Eisenhower waving from an open car in Concord, to John F. Kennedy greeting voters at a dogsled race in Laconia. The exhibition also portrayed moments of gritty reality faced by candidates: Mario Cuomo pictured in Concord announcing his withdrawal from the Presidential race in 1988. Campaign advertising materials, posters, and pins rounded out the display. First Stop explored the image of the New Hampshire primary, both here and across America. It looked at the impact our primary has on national political issues and tackled the tough question of whether New Hampshire serves well as a mirror of the country at large. The exhibition encompassed the origins of the primary, the stories of long shot candidates who did well here, and the history of the political industry in New Hampshire. The colorful retrospective added to our appreciation for New Hampshire's special role in selecting American presidents, and reinforced the importance of our own participation in the political process. Thanks to Our Sponsors First Stop: The New Hampshire Primary was sponsored by Orr & Reno, P.A.; Public Service of New Hampshire; the Grappone Companies; the Concord Comfort Inn; Fleet; and the New Hampshire Humanities Council, with WMUR-TV as a media sponsor. An Opportunity to Learn More In conjunction with the exhibition, the Society published a special issue of its magazine Historical New Hampshire. Who Are We? 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 serves thousands of children and adults each year through its varied education programs. Join Us! Free admission to the Museum of New Hampshire History is one of the many benefits of membership in the New Hampshire Historical Society. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621, or use our convenient and secure online membership form. About the New Hampshire Political Library The New Hampshire Political Library collects, organizes, and makes available the only comprehensive collection of election campaign papers and paraphernalia from a half century of New Hampshire Presidential primary history. Visit the political library at www.politicallibrary.org. For more information, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society (jdesmarais@nhhistory.org) - Who Are We? - What's New? - Museum - Library - Publications - Membership - Museum Store - School Programs - Programs & Events - Questions & Feedback - Home - Copyright © 2007 New Hampshire Historical Society. Last Modified March 29, 2004.