Pierce's Shadow — Uncover the Prelude to Civil War

Your investigation begins at the New Hampshire State House, a Federal-style edifice built between 1816 and 1819 by Stuart Park. Dedicated on July 3, 1819, by Governor William Plumer, this building has been the seat of the New Hampshire state government ever since. Its local granite dome, rising 42 meters high and covered in gold leaf since 1871, dominates the Concord skyline. It was here that decisions shaping the state's, and sometimes the nation's, destiny were made. You'll discover the initial clues that will guide your research into Franklin Pierce, a native of Hillsborough, NH, and his ties to local politics.

Right in front of the State House, you face the Franklin Pierce Statue. This bronze statue, a work by Martin Milmore, was erected in 1890 and stands 3.7 meters tall on a granite pedestal. It commemorates Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), the 14th U.S. President from 1853 to 1857. The statue's inauguration in 1890, on the 75th anniversary of his death, highlights the importance of this controversial figure in New Hampshire history. By deciphering the symbols carved on its base, you will begin to understand the early tensions that would lead to the Civil War.

Your journey then takes you to the New Hampshire Historical Society, located at 30 Park St. Founded in 1823, this institution houses a collection of over 200,000 artifacts documenting New Hampshire's history, from colonization to the industrial era. The building, constructed between 1910 and 1911 in a Neo-Georgian style, is dedicated to preserving this rich past. Although built after Pierce's time, this museum is a key location for understanding the social and political context of his tenure. Here, you will find archives that illuminate the forces at play in New Hampshire during the crucial years of his political rise and presidency.

Continuing your interactive tour of Concord, you reach the South Congregational Church, built in 1888 at 27 Pleasant St. Its Romanesque Revival architecture and 50-meter bell tower, featuring a 10-bell carillon, make it a remarkable edifice, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This active church, since its consecration, was a center of community life and moral debate at a time when issues of slavery and states' rights divided the nation. Its walls witnessed discussions that shaped local public opinion, reflecting the national tensions of the Franklin Pierce era.

Your exploration culminates at the Old North Cemetery, founded in 1736 on North State Street, Concord's oldest active cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It contains over 3,000 graves, including the nearby historic Franklin Pierce Homestead. This place of remembrance offers a perspective on life and death in Concord through the centuries. Here, you will decipher the final riddles, revealing the truth about Pierce's decisions and their lasting impact. This thematic circuit through New Hampshire's heritage, from the 1819 Federal architecture to the monuments on the National Register of Historic Places, will have allowed you to grasp the history of Concord and the foundations of a country at a crucial turning point.