CONCORD, N.H. - Now that the presidential primary is over, perhaps you find your interest in New Hampshire politics diminished. Luckily you don't have to be a political junkie to enjoy "New Hampshire: A Proven Primary Tradition," an exhibit at the New Hampshire Historical Society here. In fact, you don't have to be interested in politics at all, though an appreciation of Americana might help.
Among the informative video and photographic displays from decades of political battles are priceless items of "primaryobilia" designed to gain the attention of the cantankerous electorate of the Granite State: a George H.W. Bush squeaky toy, a psychedelic poster for George Romney's ill-fated 1968 campaign, and "The Arena," a multicolored folk sculpture by Harold French of Warner, N.H., showing all the players in the 1996 primary duking it out in a boxing ring.
There's a display that tests your knowledge of trivia. For instance, what newspaper publisher called John F. Kennedy "a spoiled brat," Nelson A. Rockefeller "a wife swapper," and Eugene McCarthy "a skunk"?
That was William Loeb, the late publisher of the Manchester Union Leader (one of the sponsors of the exhibit) whose front-page editorials could bring a tear to your eye.
Or could it?
A video display shows some famous moments, including Bill Clinton as the "comeback kid" and the incident in 1972 when US Senator Edmund S. Muskie gave a heartfelt speech on a snowy day in front of the Union Leader building complaining about Loeb's attack on his wife, Jane. Media reports that Muskie cried torpedoed his campaign. Many insist he wasn't crying at all; it was melting snow streaking down his cheeks. You can make your own determination.
Other items include the 19th-century desk from the New Hampshire secretary of state's office on which all the presidential primary candidates since 1984 have signed their nomination papers. The desk was removed from the exhibit for a few weeks last year so that the tradition could continue.
Visitors can sign up for a monthly drawing for a Neil Tillotson bobblehead. Tillotson was the North Country entrepreneur who arranged for Dixville Notch to cast the first votes, just after midnight, in both the New Hampshire primary and the presidential election. For four decades, Tillotson, who died at 102 in 2001, was the first person to cast a primary vote in the state.
"We wanted to point out that the primary is important on both a national and regional level, but also includes a lot of folklore that's fun," said Lori A. Fisher, director of programs and collections at the New Hampshire Political Library and curator of the exhibit.
Located a five-minute drive from Interstate 93, the exhibit is a perfect pit stop for those heading north to ski country or the Tilton outlet shops.
It includes more than 300 pieces culled from decades of primaries, including dozens of photographs and oddball collectibles like the trademark red plaid flannel shirt worn by former Tennessee governor and US secretary of education Lamar Alexander on his 1996 walking tour of the state and a pair of white "I Like Ike" sunglasses.
You can also pose for photographs with life-size cutouts of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and US Senator John F. Kerry. But not Bill Clinton. "He still holds the rights to his image, and we didn't have his permission," said Fisher.
And don't expect to find any memorabilia from this year's primary. "We didn't want to appear to be playing favorites," said Fisher.
Tom Long, a freelance writer in Hudson, N.H., can be reached at tom long918@msn.com.
