Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire’s Only United States President

Betty's Travel Planning Tips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999; Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development


Franklin Pierce was the only United States President who hailed from New Hampshire and served as the country’s 14th president. There are several points of interest in NH that relate to Franklin Pierce, including his childhood homestead in Hillsborough, the Pierce Manse in Concord, and his burial site in the Old North Cemetery, also in Concord.

Source: City Profile

The Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsborough is where Pierce spent most of his childhood; it was constructed by his father the year Franklin was born. Here Daniel Webster was entertained in the ballroom on the second floor, and Franklin Pierce drilled local militia groups. The mansion is maintained and operated by the Hillsborough Historical Society. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is located off Route 31; New Hampshire residents are admitted free of charge, while others pay a small admission fee. Guided tours are offered. For information, please call 603-478-3165, or visit the New Hampshire Parks and Recreation webpage dedicated to this historic site.

Source: Wikipedia

The Pierce Manse is located at 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane in Concord, and is the only house ever owned and occupied by Franklin Pierce, his wife Jane, and their two children. Constructed in Greek Revival style, the home is open for tours from June through October. Threatened with demolition in 1966, it was saved and moved to a site in Concord's Historic District. The house has been restored and many of the furnishings either belonged to Pierce or other members of his family. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment.

Source: Wikipedia

The Franklin Pierce Burial Site is in the Old North Cemetery in Concord. Pierce is buried there with his wife Jane and two of their sons. The gravesite was refurbished and the deteriorating markers were replaced by a single granite spire with all the names inscribed. The first child was buried elsewhere at the time of death. The burial site sits toward the rear of the graveyard and is marked by a tall marker. There is also an historical marker in the cemetery with more information about Pierce’s life.

A distinguished statue of Franklin Pierce sits proudly on the lawn of the NH State House on Main Street in Concord. The dedication took place on November 25th, 1914. You can learn more about Franklin Pierce’s legacy and see a photo of the statue by visiting the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources.

Exploring New Hampshire's Capitol

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999; Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If your idea of traveling through Concord, New Hampshire is flying by the exits on Interstate 93, then you’ve never really been to Concord. Probably best known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Concord Coach, Concord became the state capitol in 1808, and is an exciting city that’s rich in history, culture, education, and heritage. Downtown Concord is a hub of unique shops, restaurants, and historic sites. When you do visit Concord, plan to spend a day or two and don’t miss these interesting stops:

All rights reserved by New Hampshire Historical Society

The State House: Located in the center of town on North Main Street, the capitol building is the oldest one in the country where the legislature still meets in its original chambers. Take a tour and see the legislative body in session. As you walk the hallways, note the portraits of past Governors on the walls.



The Museum of NH History: Contained within Eagle Square, the museum is a must-see for anyone interested in exploring how the state was born. Exhibitions include a birch bark canoe, a simulated fire tower, and of course an authentic Concord Coach. Take time to browse through the extensive gift shop; you’ll find plenty of books, maps, and historically significant items.

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center: Named for Alan Shepard, who was the first man in space, and Christa McAuliffe, the first private citizen in space, the center is New England’s largest air

All rights reserved by pobrecito33 (Flickr)

and space museum. Families love the planetarium shows and other events. The center is located at 2 Institute Drive.

The State Library: Situated at 20 Park Street, the library is an attraction in itself. Resources and services include catalogs, online databases, a Family Resource Connection, and even an ‘Ask a Librarian’ service for research questions.

For more information about what there is to see and do in Concord, please visit the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce website.

Mud Season = Incredible Wildlife Watching

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Rumor has it that it’s mud season in New Hampshire. Well, that might be true, but along with the mud comes some incredible wildlife watching. Viewing wildlife is fun and educational – and free! It’s a family-friendly activity, you can do it just about anywhere, and the best part is you can drive aimlessly and practically be guaranteed to see something. Spring is a great time to look for wildlife because the trees are still bare and it’s easier to spot animals during this time of year. Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your wildlife watching expeditions:

Source: Wikipedia

Hawks: Hawks can be seen during all times of the day into early evening. Look for them near open fields, along interstates, and circling over head. Hawks like to perch themselves near tree tops so they can spy on their prey. The most common ones are the red-tailed hawks; they are mainly brown with a white, speckled breast and belly. Scan the tops of trees along road ways and you are virtually guaranteed to see a hawk.

Source: Wikipedia

Herons and other water birds: They’re back! Herons like to wade in shallow water and walk slowly along river banks. Look for them in marshy, wet areas that settle along streams and rivers. They fly slowly overhead, flapping their oversized wings with their tiny feet visible under their bellies. If you’re lucky, a heron will lead you to its nest.

Source: Wikipedia

Red-winged Blackbirds: Nothing says spring is here like the presence of red-winged blackbirds. They gather in cattail marshes and other wetlands, spreading their wings in order to be noticed. The females tend to keep closer to the ground while the males preen at the tops of the cattails and trees.

Source: Wikipedia

Moose: With over 6,500 moose in New Hampshire, you are bound to see one in your travels – if you know where to look. Expect to go north to increase your chances of seeing one. The northern sections of Routes 16 and 3 are excellent roads to take in order to see a moose. If you spot a few cars on the side of the road, or if a car coming in your direction flashes its lights at you, it’s likely there’s a moose ahead. Moose like to hang around wet roadside areas called licks. Slow down, use caution, and stay back if you decide to take pictures. Moose are especially hard to see at night.

Source: Wikipedia

Deer: You never know where you’ll see a deer, but they are around. The last one I saw was trotting alongside Route 93 near Campton in the middle of the day. Keep looking along the edges of open fields, especially at dawn and dusk.

Source: Wikipedia

Eagles: Spotting an eagle is an exciting and rare opportunity. Boating on a large body of water will increase your chances of seeing one. Look for a large bird with a white capped head and white tail feathers. The eagle has black wings and a huge yellow-orange beak. They like to soar through the air and nest along cliffs, and their wingspan can reach 6 feet!

Wildlife watching is a great way to spend your spring weekends. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. It’s the perfect activity when the kids complain that there’s “nothing to do.” For more information about wildlife watching in New Hampshire, please visit the NH Fish & Game website.

Get a Glimpse of the Past with Route 3 Retro Tour

Betty's Travel Planning Tips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Set of signs promoting Burma-Shave, on U.S. Route 66.
Courtesy of Wilkipedia.

If you’re old enough to know what a Burma Shave sign is, then you might remember what is was like to pile into the family car and travel aimlessly on a vacation. I’m talking about going back in time, even before Interstate 93 was constructed through New Hampshire. A time when road trips were a way of life, lodging reservations were unheard of, and each corner you turned brought a different adventure. Fast forward to our Route 3 Retro Tour, one of our newest itineraries on VisitNH.gov.

The Retro Tour takes you along Route 3 beginning in Meredith and ending in Pittsburg. During the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, this was the main north-south route that vacationers and business travelers frequented. Follow this path today and you may be surprised to know that many of the attractions and motels along this route are the same ones that were there way back when. Stops along the road include diners, motels (which is a term that blended the words ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’), time-tested attractions (like Clark’s Trading Post, one of the oldest in the state), and beautiful, natural scenery. Did you know that gasoline was 15 cents a gallon in 1950? The itinerary contains an interesting timeline with many historical dates and facts like this about how life has evolved since the ‘50’s. 

The Route 3 Retro Tour is a must-do for visitors, as it paints a clear picture of what it was like to travel through New Hampshire after the end of World War II. Happy Retro Touring!

Maple Sugaring in New Hampshire

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Granite State Ambassadors Visited Rock Estates in April 2010

Aaaaah, spring. You know it’s here when you start seeing buckets and tubing attached to sugar maple trees in your travels – the cold nights and warm days are generating the sap flow, which will be boiled down and turned into rich and delicious maple syrup. It’s part of New Hampshire’s tradition, and this year’s Maple Weekend will be held on March 19th and 20th. This is a big deal in the Granite State, as more than 80 maple sugar houses will be open for authentic gathering of the sap, sap-boiling demonstrations, and - best of all – hot pancake breakfasts featuring warm and sweet New Hampshire maple syrup.

Granite State Ambassadors learning about sugaring in April 2010

Did you know that the maple industry in New Hampshire produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup a year? Even more amazing is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. We hope you will visit a sugar house during the maple season and learn for yourself just how this ancient tradition is carried on. For locations of maple sugar houses and a calendar of events, please visit the New Hampshire Maple Producers website.

Through our website, you can search for special maple sugar themed lodging packages. Our website also has a wonderful family-oriented maple sugaring itinerary written from a child’s point of view that describes a warm and welcoming visit to a maple sugaring farm during spring.

Sweet travels!

Click Your Way Into Events, Ideas & Itineraries

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

There’s probably no better way to get New Hampshire travel information than by consulting a Granite State Ambassador, but what about those times when you’re in transit, or you just feel like doing a little search for information on your own? The NH Division of Travel and Tourism website at www.visitnh.gov has the answers that travelers are seeking.

Looking for ideas on attractions and outdoor adventure? Searching for seasonal events or ideas on how to spend your time here? Go to our home page and click ‘What to Do.’

Do you want suggestions on exploring New Hampshire’s culture, heritage, and history? Are you interested in sampling NH-grown farm products, visiting a winery, or attending a farmer’s market? Go to ‘Planning and Travel Tools’ and check out the itineraries. The itineraries are designed for travelers who are seeking a certain theme for their visit – there’s even some especially designed for kids!

Big History in "Little Canadas"

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If you’re like me, your grandparents, and maybe even your parents, came to New Hampshire from Canada. I still remember my Grandmother telling me how she moved to New Hampshire from a farm in Quebec, and how she worked in the manufacturing mills as a teenager. Because so many French people immigrated here during the industrial revolution, New Hampshire had lots of cities and towns that began forming neighborhoods nicknamed “Little Canadas.” The French had a huge influence on the heritage and culture of many families, and our website is proud to feature a brand new Franco-American Itinerary that’s designed for folks who want to explore their French heritage in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
looking up the Merrimack River, Manchester, NH;
from a 1911 postcard by Alphonso H. Sanborn.
Electronic Source: Wikipedia

The tour is centered in Manchester, as the Queen City was once home to the largest mill complex in the world, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. It features dining establishments that offer classic French dishes on their menus, organizations that center on educating visitors about the Franco-American culture in New Hampshire, and other points of interest directly related to the influence that the French-Canadians had in the Granite State.

Although the itinerary centers on Manchester, there are many other communities throughout New Hampshire that still carry remnants of a strong Franco-American presence within their architecture, their restaurants, and most of all, their people.

Please visit http://www.visitnh.gov/uploads/itineraries/franco-american-tour.pdf to read or download this fun and educational itinerary. Bon Voyage!

Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside, We Have Just the Thing for You!

Betty's Travel Planning Trips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Winter in New Hampshire isn’t just for skiers and snowboarders. The Division of Travel and Tourism has a fabulous website designed for those folks who are seeking all winter activities the state has to offer. Winternh.com is your guide to winter in New Hampshire, and features lots of fun things to do in cold weather.

WinterNH.com Home Page

Maybe you’re not a skier, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the views from the snowy mountain summits – mountain coasters and zip lines are running year ‘round and offer a whole new way to enjoy the scenery. Ski areas offer packages where you can learn to ski, and most guarantee you’ll be skiing after one lesson! Snowmobiling, snow shoeing, tubing, ice skating, ice sailing, dog sledding, and winter hiking are all popular pastimes when the temperature drops.

If you’re looking for indoor activities, discover what a true spa experience can do for your health and well-being. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps – anything goes in these state of the art facilities, and once you’ve found out what a day in a spa can do for your body and soul, you’ll want to return again and again. New Hampshire is also known for its tax-free shopping, and there are hundreds of outlet stores, antique shops, and shopping malls just waiting to be discovered.

VisitNH.com Winter Itinerary Web Page

Check out the itineraries for more ideas on things to do while you’re here. Winternh.com is your one-stop resource to plan your winter vacation in New Hampshire!