pierce manse

The guided tour was fantastic and we learned a lot about NH history and Franklin Pierce. This is a hidden gem in downtown Concord and a must see for all NH school children.

This is an interesting piece of history in relation to a former president. On stream parking and it is nice to Ake a walk along the road past Horseshoe lake.

The house is not large, but it is interesting as an example of the kind of home a prominent New Hampshire lawyer and legislator of the period would have lived in (and it is not a mansion). The guide was very engaging and had a lot of information to share. There are a few items that belonged to the Pierce family, including a touching portrait of the 11 year son who died in a train accident. Operated by volunteers, this "presidential home" is very different from the home of more well-know Presidents: simple, off the beaten path, personal. The Pierce Brigade does its best to highlight Franklin's successes but even they seem to know it is an uphill climb. He is an more interesting political figure than I expected but hardly one of our best presidents. A visit should take an hour or so.

Franklin Pierce has not been treated kindly by history. He was one of the mostly forgotten presidents in the twelve years leading up to the Civil War (Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Pierce, and James Buchanan). Although his presidency is viewed as a failure, his life was marked with many accomplishments, including being a general in the Mexican American war, speaker of the New Hampshire legislature, a successful lawyer, a U.S. Congressman, a U.S. Senator, and, of course, President. He actually won the 1852 election by a landslide and led a scandal-free, if otherwise unsuccessful, term.Pierce's former home in Concord was converted at some point to apartments and then slated for demolition in the late 60s, but was saved by a group of volunteers, primarily teachers, who had it relocated to its present site and have renovated it. It is still run by volunteers, many of whom lead enthusiastic tours, and has been lovingly restored.The home itself is not grand. It's about the size of a 3- or 4- bedroom Colonial home. They have a number of artifacts obtained from Pierce's family and from his former law partner. Although small, we thought the home was attractive. You should look especially at the flooring, which has both very narrow and very wide pine planks. The Pierce family lived in the home primarily in the 1840s, before Pierce was president. Our tour guide spent a lot of time on their personal lives in the home. The Pierces did not have a happy life in that all three of their children died young, one of typhus in this house and another in a train accident just after Pierce's election as president. Pierce was a good friend of author Nathaniel Hawthorne and speaker Daniel Webster, and there are artifacts from them as well.They also have a small visitor center with a short video (maybe 4 minutes) about Pierce's career. Note that they conduct tours primarily during the summer months (May to October) and that you'll need an appointment if you visit another time - it is, after all, staffed by volunteers and we appreciated the time and effort they put into preserving and showing this historically significant home.The Pierce Manse is a pleasant place to visit the home of a president whom most have forgotten. It's worth a trip if you find yourself in Concord.Incidentally, Pierce's tomb is about 2 blocks away and you can easily see it.

Outside on the front lawn the 39th Army Band from the New Hampshire National Guard gave a wonderful concert. Free admission that night to visit in side the manse.

The Pierce Manse is quite a good restoration effort, complimented by informative hosts who provide an in-depth account of President Pierce's life. After you get all the facts, as opposed to the popular misconceptions, you will agree that he has been unfairly maligned. The house itself was turned into apartments after Pierce's passing, and the group has done a remarkable job restoring the manse to its period appearance, and setting it with as many artifacts associated with Pierce as possible, along with artifacts of the period.

We had a tour with maybe too much information presented because the tour guide was trying to accommodate children and older guests with vastly different interests. Not sure why pierce has been portrayed badly in history after learning more about his life before and after the White House

As we make it a point to visit presidential homes on our travels, we stopped by this site. Although Pierce did live in this home for a period of time, there appeared to be minimal contents or articles of major historical significance. However, our guide, Gary, was able to provide much information on Pierce's life and his impact on the nation. Congratulations to the dedicated people of Concord who saved this site from destruction. Very glad we took the time to visit.

As political and history buffs, we knew we wanted to see the Pierce Manse when traveling throughout New England. What we experienced, was both entertaining and educational. Kat, our enthusiastic and energetic tour guide, made the tour. Learning how the Pierce Brigade saved the house and hearing what you don't learn in a history book made the stop well worth it. More so, the Pierce Brigade, the volunteer corps that keeps the spirit of President Pierce alive, made a special arrangement for us to see the home outside of their normal operating hours. Thanks Brigade for a wonderful experience.

When it was about to be destroyed, this home saved by a group passionate about local history and moved to its present site. Members of this group still volunteer there, and their love of local history and passion for restoring the good name of Franklin Pierce is evident. It was a joy to visit this home and chat with the folks who run the place.

Just visited the Manse again in July and we loved it. I'm so glad they have updated the homestead by converting the barn into a small info center.Robert our guide was really informative and helpful with his knowledge and I really enjoyed speaking to him about the Pierce's and the home. Honestly, we stopped this time to find out where the Pierce's were buried because I never found that 18 years ago. After they asked if we wanted a tour I told my husband it was really good and we decided to tour along with our son. My son is bored easily with history, but was really into the house and the history behind it.And when it comes to finding the final resting place of the Pierce family I was left kicking myself in the butt. When I went with my parents as a kid we didn't know that area too well, so we passed on finding it thinking we would never find it. The cemetery is literally the length of a football field away. I would recommend driving there though since you need to cross a major intersection.The house is rich in family heirlooms and clothing of the period. There are also pictures and tidbits throughout the house to tell the story of the Pierce family. They even let the kids try on a replica of the jacket General Pierce wore in Mexico during the war. My son was really over the moon about that and went home bragging to his friends he wore a President's jacket, HA!There is a wheelchair ramp outside leading into the house, but there is a staircase to view the upstairs rooms. If you can't get out of the wheelchair I wouldn't recommend that portion of the tour. There is also a cost associated with the tour. Check the link for pricing.The story of the Pierce family is a really sad one, and unfortunately Franklin Pierce has largely been forgotten by even his own state due to his lack luster presidency. But this shouldn't turn you off to visiting, or even getting to know our 14th President. I don't agree with his views, but they were the views of his time and we have come a long way in the past 160 years.The day we visited they were repainting the house, so if you visit now the exterior shouldn't really show the wear a family member told me about last summer.

The Manse offers a look into the life of a forgotten and misunderstood President. The tour showcases the life of a man who tried to be a successful President but is often regarded as a flop. A different insight is provided into his life.

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience visiting the Pierce Manse. It's plain, somewhat shabby exterior belies the quality, informative experience that waits within. The manse has been restored with Pierce items and artifacts from the era. Informed, volunteer docents guide visitors through the house, answering questions along the way. A small museum, offering a short film and further artifacts, are also on-site. I left with a new desire to learn more about this overlooked and maligned US President--a testimony to the successful, quality efforts that The Pierce Brigade has made in preserving The Pierce Manse and interpreting Franklin Pierce's life.