CONCORD NH - WILLIAM CHANDLER
The peace conference that resulted in the Treaty of Portsmouth would never have come to be associated with New Hampshire without the quick action of citizens and state government working together to seize the opportunity.
In June 1905 when word came that the President was looking for an alternative to the summer resorts of Newport and Bar Harbor -- where socialites might snub the Japanese in favor of Russian nobility -- Anderson and Pierce, the owners of the recently-opened Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, NH, offered to host the conference at no charge.
On June 21st, Governor John McLane and the New Hampshire Executive Council quickly approved that suggestion and prepared a formal invitation for consideration by the State Department. The story of the role New Hampshire's Governor John McLane and NH Secretary of State Pearson played in traveling to Washington to deliver their invitation to the Russian and Japanese embassies is related in the History of the Treaty.
In June 1905 when word came that the President was looking for an alternative to the summer resorts of Newport and Bar Harbor -- where socialites might snub the Japanese in favor of Russian nobility -- Anderson and Pierce, the owners of the recently-opened Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, NH, offered to host the conference at no charge.
On June 21st, Governor John McLane and the New Hampshire Executive Council quickly approved that suggestion and prepared a formal invitation for consideration by the State Department. The story of the role New Hampshire's Governor John McLane and NH Secretary of State Pearson played in traveling to Washington to deliver their invitation to the Russian and Japanese embassies is related in the History of the Treaty.
John McLane grew up in Milford NH and in 2017 David Palance from the Milford Historical Society coordinated the planting of a Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial Cherry Tree in honor of Milford's John McLane, at the Heron Elementary School in Milford.
Approximately 180 4th graders (left), taught by Heidi Blake Jill Bokhan Lauren Evans Johanna Wenger Kaylan Thibodeau Gloria Schooley Caroline Sousa Holly Clauson took part in the tree-planting ceremony on June 2, 2017.
The 4th grade students pictured below helping to plant the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial cherry tree at Heron Pond Elementary School in Milford NH are from left to right: Jonathan Sherman, Haylee Wells, Abbigayle Kemp, and Abigail Krulis.
Approximately 180 4th graders (left), taught by Heidi Blake Jill Bokhan Lauren Evans Johanna Wenger Kaylan Thibodeau Gloria Schooley Caroline Sousa Holly Clauson took part in the tree-planting ceremony on June 2, 2017.
The 4th grade students pictured below helping to plant the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial cherry tree at Heron Pond Elementary School in Milford NH are from left to right: Jonathan Sherman, Haylee Wells, Abbigayle Kemp, and Abigail Krulis.
