CONCORD, NH—"New Hampshire Favorites," an exhibition at the New Hampshire Historical Society's museum, showcases 44 treasures from the Society's collection, ranging from a huge weathervane which once sat atop the Page Belting Company factory in Concord, to White Mountain paintings, to a 1990s St. Louis Cardinals baseball shirt worn by New Hampshire major leaguer Bob Tewksbury

The variety of objects in the "Favorites" exhibition reflects the breadth and depth of the New Hampshire Historical Society's collection and each item in has its own unique story.  One especially popular object is "Lady of the Lake," the figurehead from a steamboat of the same name built in 1849 by the Winnipesaukee Steamboat Company.  The steamboat carried up to 400 passengers on Lake Winnipesaukee, meeting trains from Boston at the Weirs and transporting tourists to summer resorts at Center Harbor and Wolfeboro.  Retired in 1893, the steamer later sunk to the bottom of the lake.  Another treasured item is a portrait of Nathaniel Hawthorne painted by George P.A. Healy in 1852.  The portrait was commissioned by Hawthorne's longtime friend, Franklin Pierce, the only U.S. President from New Hampshire, and hung in the White House during Pierce's administration.

"New Hampshire Favorites" is on view at the New Hampshire Historical Society's museum, located at 6 Eagle Square, Concord.  The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for seniors; $3 for children 6-18, with a family maximum of $17.  Children under 6 and members of the New Hampshire Historical Society are admitted free.

Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is the independent nonprofit organization that saves, preserves, and shares New Hampshire history.  The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its Museum of New Hampshire History, research library, educational programs, publications, and outreach programs.  The Society is not a state-funded agency.  All of its programs and services are made possible by membership dues and contributions.  For more information about the Society and the benefits of membership, visit http://www.nhhistory.org or call 603/228-6688.