Medal, Commemorative

Object Name:

Medal, Commemorative

Object ID:

2016.001.01

Creator:

Durgin, William B. & SonManufacturer

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

1886

Description:

Commemorative medal, dedication of Daniel Webster statue, 1886. Circular, white metal. Obverse: "DANIEL WEBSTER / BORN JAN 18. 1782. DIED OCT 24. 1852." in band around bust-length profile portrait of Daniel Webster. Reverse: "SOUVENIR / TO / COMMEMORATE THE / UNVEILING OF THE / DANIEL WEBSTER / STATUE. / JUNE 17TH 1886 / PRESENTED TO THE STATE / OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BY / B. P. CHENEY ESQ. / ERECTED / IN THE STATE HOUSE PARK / CONCORD, N. H."

Material:

Metal
Zinc
Lead

Dimensions:

D-0.254 Dia-4.064 cm Weight-23.95 gr

Provenance:

Contemporary newspaper accounts estimate that 30,000 people from across the United States attended the dedication of the Daniel Webster statue on the State House lawn on Thursday, June 17, 1886. The statue was given to the state of New Hampshire by Boston businessman, Benjamin Pierce Cheney (1815-1895). A native of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Cheney made a fortune developing stage express companies, railroads, and banks. Having known and admired Webster, Cheney was inspired to create a fitting memorial to New Hampshire's greatest citizen in the state. A committee working with Cheney selected sculptor Thomas Ball (1819-1911) to create the full length statue of the great orator which was placed on the lawn in front of the state house.

Credit Line:

Gift of David M. Sundman

People:

Webster, Daniel (1782-1852), Cheney, Benjamin P. (1815-1895)

Subjects:

Webster, Daniel