Sign, Trade

Object Name:

Sign, Trade

Object ID:

1966.550.02

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1814-1840

Description:

Sign. From Eagle Hotel tavern, Concord, NH, 1814-1840. Painted wood. Vertical oval with deep moulding set in a frame of turned balusters painted dark red and black with gold balls at the ends and gold bands around. Oval painted light blue with black molding and black arch at base lettered in gold "J. GEORGE." Blue field painted with a handsome gold eagle with shield on body, bearing olive branch and arrows in talons. Head turned toward branch. 13 gold stars around head. Same design on both sides of sign.

Material:

Wood

Dimensions:

H-53 W-32 D-2.5 inches

Provenance:

The Eagle Hotel, at 205 North Main Street, Concord, NH, was built around 1801 by David George Jr. (probably). It was run as a tavern by John George from about 1814 to 1840. There was an interesting public dinner at this tavern in Feb. 1815 when cannon were shot off and toasts drunk to celebrate peace with England. Internal revenue dues were received there by William Butters, collector, in the same year. Gov. Benjamin Pierce lodged at the Eagle when he came to Concord for his inauguration in 1827. It was Mr. George who gave the name Parliament Corner to the downtown locality where the legislature sat. This building was owned by the League of NH Craftsmen in the 20th century, and it was demolished when the League moved to South Main Street in 2011.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

George, John (1780-1843), Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869)

Subjects:

Eagle, Inns, Hotels, Taverns, Signs