A new exhibition of landscape paintings is now on view at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord. The latest installation of A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection introduces 48 additional works drawn from one of the most significant private collections of White Mountain landscape art.
Part 1 of the exhibition debuted last year and introduced visitors to paintings that had largely remained out of public view for decades. The newly installed Part 2 continues the exhibition with another selection of works, many of which have not been accessible to the public for many years.
A Collection Built Over Decades
Over several decades, Linda and P. Andrews McLane of Hebron, New Hampshire assembled what is widely regarded as the leading private collection of White Mountain landscape paintings. Their collection includes more than 300 works that reflect the region’s influence on American art.
Combined with the Society’s existing holdings, the gift establishes the institution as the steward of one of the most comprehensive collections of White Mountain landscape art.
Artists of the White Mountains
Part 2 of A Legacy of Landscapes presents the work of 34 artists associated with nineteenth century American landscape painting. Among them are Thomas Cole, Benjamin Champney, Ann Sophia Towne Darrah, Samuel Lancaster Gerry, Thomas Hill, David Johnson, John Frederick Kensett, John Ross Key, Louisa Morse, and Frank H. Shapleigh.
Thomas Hill, A View From Echo Lake, 1869, NH Historical Society
Some paintings present expansive views of the White Mountains, while others focus on quieter pastoral scenes. Together they illustrate how artists documented the region’s landscapes and contributed to the development of American landscape painting.
“We had a tremendous response to the inaugural exhibition of the McLane collection,” said New Hampshire Historical Society President Bill Dunlap. “Visitors were drawn to the awe inspiring views of the White Mountains captured by these artists. We’re delighted to be able to share more of this collection with the public.”
White Mountain landscape painting became closely associated with New Hampshire in the nineteenth century. Artists traveled to the region to capture its scenery, and their work helped shape how the American wilderness was represented in art.
A Landmark Gift
The donation of more than 300 paintings represents one of the largest gifts in the Society’s 203 year history. The collection strengthens the organization’s ability to preserve and share an artistic tradition closely tied to New Hampshire’s identity.
The McLane’s have also supported a number of New England institutions, including Phillips Exeter Academy, St. Paul’s School, Dartmouth College, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Visiting the Exhibition
A Legacy of Landscapes: Selections from the Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection is on view at the New Hampshire Historical Society, located at 30 Park Street in Concord.
Mount Washington Carriage Road and Presidential Range, Samuel Lancaster Gerry (1813-1891), undated, Linda and P. Andrews McLane Collection, New Hampshire Historical Society. Photograph by John W. Hession.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults. Members of the New Hampshire Historical Society and children age 18 and under are admitted free. Full time students and active military personnel and their families are also admitted free with valid identification.
The exhibition is sponsored by 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 dedicated to preserving and sharing New Hampshire history. The Society maintains the largest and most comprehensive collection of objects and archival materials related to the state.
Through its museum, research library, exhibitions, publications, and educational programs, the organization works to make the state’s history accessible to the public. The Society operates without state funding and relies on membership support and charitable contributions.
For more information, 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. Gallery shots, New Hampshire Historical Society and John Hession.
