(Included in our photos is a picture of the postcard later inspired by these exact photos.)
-Communications with Manchester Historical Society available upon request for serious buyers.
This group of photos has been confirmed by MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS ORIGINAL, PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN IMAGES OF THE SEMI CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 1896. They confirmed this through their research while photos were in their possession after reaching out to them. We were asked to bring them in for examination and later asked to donate to historical society. The photos show Manchester Union Station in Manchester, New Hampshire in between the new and old station transition.
Each original photograph measures approximately 7" x 5" and is professionally mounted on a 10" x 8" presentation card.
These photographs are not snapshots—they are professionally produced mounted photographs that appear to document a major public military departure ceremony.
Historical Research
Extensive research strongly suggests these photographs depict the 1896 New Hampshire Semi Centennial celebrations at Manchester Union Station, the city's principal railroad station at the time.
The images closely correspond to a known postcard of the event and contain numerous identifiable details, including:
Manchester Union Station visible in the background
Manchester electric streetcar displaying "Derryfield Park" and "Bridge Street"
Large formations of uniformed troops
Military band leading the procession
American flags carried throughout the crowd
Thousands of spectators gathered at the station
Consecutive original views documenting the ceremony from multiple angles
The station architecture and surrounding buildings appear to match historic views of Manchester Union Station, reinforcing the identification. Union Station served as Manchester's primary Boston & Maine Railroad passenger depot after opening in 1898.
These photographs represent an exceptional surviving visual record of early twentieth-century New Hampshire history and would appeal to collectors of:
Manchester, New Hampshire
New Hampshire history
Railroad history
Boston & Maine Railroad
Military history
Spanish-American War era memorabilia
National Guard history
Antique photography
Museums and historical archives
Included are all three original mounted photographs shown in the listing.
Please review all photographs carefully for condition. The mounts exhibit expected age-related wear, while the images remain remarkably sharp with outstanding detail.
Please review all photos carefully for condition and exact contents. These are original historical photographs with age-appropriate wear and characteristics.
A rare opportunity to own an authentic photographic record of a significant New Hampshire event from over 120+ years ago.
Cards clearly are not in the best condition but overall still nice set of photos.
Ships fast and packaged with extreme care, it’s our guarantee.
Check out our store for more antique photographs and other items.
Please feel free to message us with any questions you may have. Your satisfaction is a top priority.
New Hampshire history
Spanish American War
Spanish parade
troop departure
real photo
antique photograph
RPPC (even though they aren’t postcards, some collectors search that term broadly)
New England history
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