The New Hampshire Historical Society invites visitors to rediscover the majesty of the White Mountains in its latest exhibition, A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection. The exhibition features works that have largely remained out of public view for years. It offers a rare look into one of the most important assemblies of American landscape art ever assembled.
A Private Collection Unveiled
The exhibition features 61 extraordinary paintings drawn from the private collection of Linda and P. Andrews McLane of Hebron, NH. It is highly regarded for its depth and quality. Over the course of several decades, the McLanes gathered more than 300 works that celebrate the White Mountains, a region whose rugged beauty has inspired generations of American artists.
One of the featured works. Benjamin Champney (1817-1907), Haying in North Conway Meadows, 1870. Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection.
While many of these works have long remained hidden from public view, the McLanes’ recent gift to the New Hampshire Historical Society has changed that. Their donation ranks among the most impactful in the Society’s 202 year history, permanently securing the state’s position as the steward of this important New Hampshire art form.
Highlights and the Impact of the Exhibition
The collection includes works by more than 40 renowned 19th century landscape painters. Some examples are Albert Bierstadt, Benjamin Champney, Thomas Hill, Jasper Cropsey, and the father of American landscape art, Thomas Cole. These artists contributed a formative role in shaping the visual identity of the American wilderness.
A Legacy of Landscapes is the inaugural show in the Society’s newly opened gallery space. The space is an expansion made possible by the continued generosity of the McLanes. The new gallery nearly doubles the Society’s exhibit capacity and represents a milestone in its mission to make New Hampshire’s rich heritage more accessible to the public.
One of the featured works. Frank Henry Shapleigh (1842-1906), Presidential Range from the Mt. Pleasant House, 1888. Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection.
Visit Today
A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection is on view through December 31, 2025, at the New Hampshire Historical Society, located at 30 Park Street in Concord. Exhibition hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, while members, children under 18, full-time students, and active military families are admitted free with valid ID. This landmark exhibition is made possible through the support of the Turner Group, McLane Middleton, and Catering by Design.
About the New Hampshire Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the rich history of the Granite State. With no state funding, the Society relies on the generosity of its members and donors to support its programs, publications, library, and museum.
The Society holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of materials related to New Hampshire history. It includes many works from paintings, artifacts, photographs, manuscripts, rare books, and genealogical records. It serves as a hub for researchers, educators, students, and anyone interested in understanding the state’s unique past. Its mission is to connect people to the past in ways that inform the present and inspire the future.
For more information about the Society, including membership opportunities and upcoming events, visit nhhistory.org or call 603-228-6688.
All images belong to the New Hampshire Historical Society. All paintings are a part of Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection, and all gallery shots belong to the New Hampshire Historical Society.
