Franklin Pierce Homestead: A Historic Presidential Retreat in New Hampshire

Franklin Pierce Homestead Historic Site, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, preserves the home of the 14th President of the United States. The future president was born on November 23, 1804, in a log cabin near the present-day home. The beautiful Federal-style house served as Pierce’s home during his formative years and beyond, a place where he grew up surrounded by political discussion, rural life, and the values that eventually shaped his rise to the presidency. He would live in the home until he was married in 1834. 

A Brief History of Franklin Pierce

Today, Franklin Pierce is a lesser-known president; in his time, he was one of the best-known and a popular politician who seemed destined for greatness from a young age. Pierce was the son of a Revolutionary War veteran who instilled in him a strong sense of public duty. 

Pierce was a talented student with natural charm, but had a bit of a rebellious spirit. In 1824, Pierce graduated from Bowdoin College, where he befriended future literary figures like Nathaniel Hawthorne. After establishing himself as a lawyer, he entered politics early, serving in the New Hampshire legislature before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. 

Though widely liked, Pierce temporarily left national politics to focus on his family and legal practice. He would go on to serve in the Mexican-American War, rising to the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Army. His popularity within the Democratic Party and his unifying appeal helped him win the presidency in 1852 as a compromise candidate. Pierce’s administration was defined by the divisive Kansas-Nebraska Act, which inflamed sectional tensions and hastened the nation toward civil war. 

Personal tragedy also deeply marked his life.  All three of his sons died young, the last of whom, Benjamin, was killed in a train accident a couple of months before his inauguration. 

After leaving office, Pierce remained a controversial figure for his opposition to the Civil War, a stance that damaged his national reputation. He spent his later years in relative quiet in New Hampshire before his death on October 8, 1869. He is buried next to his wife Jane, in  Old North Cemetery in Concord, New Hampshire. 

Despite a tragic and turbulent legacy, Pierce remains one of the most complex and human figures among America’s early presidents.

“There’s nothing left to do but get drunk.” – Franklin Pierce

Visiting Franklin Pierce Homestead Historic Site

Today, the Franklin Pierce Homestead Historic Site is tucked away in the peaceful countryside on the outskirts of Hillsborough. The homestead is beautifully preserved, offering an intimate opportunity to walk through the historic home, filled with period furnishings and family artifacts.

A tour is the best way to experience the site, as guides share stories about the Pierce family and the future president’s early life, which shaped him as a young man.  Outside, it’s easy to assume the rolling landscape and quiet setting look much the same as it did when Pierce lived here. 

The site is not large by any means, and can be visited at a leisurely pace in about an hour. It’s also not open year-round, so check its website before making plans. The site is only an hour and a half from Boston and an easy drive from other metropolitan areas.  

The Franklin Pierce Homestead delivers a rewarding window into a lesser-known chapter of American history. We have no doubt you’ll enjoy exploring the legacy of the “Young Hickory of the Granite Hills,” President Franklin Pierce.

Photo Credit: uberdadofthree