As the year 1896 visited Concord, our ancestors gathered down on Main Street to keep up with current events. The state of Utah was just admitted as the 45th state, while Henry Ford completed his quadricycle, eventually leading the way to the formation of the Ford empire and placing America on wheels.
Grover Cleveland started 1896 as our president with the fall election seeing William McKinley defeat William Bryan to become our next president. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born and George Washington Gale Ferris die. Of course, George Washington Gale Ferris was the person that invented the Ferris Wheel.
There was also much to entertain and delight the community locally. The state grange was active with encouraging and supporting social gatherings to benefit the people living in Concord. There were fairs, three Sleighing Parades and carnivals of winter sports, which they held here in Concord during February in the years 1891, 1893 and 1895. Mayor Henry Robinson, while serving as President of the State Grange, also encouraged a new celebration called Concord Trade Week. It was that long before the popular Kiwanis Trade Fair, that we all knew and enjoyed for many years, that Concord enjoyed a local Trade Fair in 1896.
With the strong support from the New Hampshire State Grange, the Concord Trade Fair was very successful and first commenced on October 13 to 15 in 1896. The Concord Trade Fair enjoyed much support and popularity within the community and strongly supported the new means of transportation in the form of locomotion as well as athletic activities. There was a surge of support at the trade fair for the use of bicycles where they even established a day for a race and parade. The modern style of both baseball and football was also supported and well represented in the three-day festival celebrating local trade in 1896.
The modern marvels of the world were enjoyed by everyone both young and old. Concord was somewhat isolated and a very rural community and activities such as the Concord Trade Fair in 1896 were looked forward to. The onset of change was on the horizon with our ancestors retiring their dependable horses for transportation and replacing them with horseless carriages. Automation was on the forefront and production of keen interest. The thoughts of working less and producing more at a profit was the thought of the day.
As our ancestors walked to Main Street to enjoy leisure time in the autumn of 1896, they would have witnessed bicycles on the road and perhaps a quick game of modern football or baseball on the State House lawn. The support of commerce was also a key factor, especially as it concerned the merchants on Main Street. With events such as the new Concord Trade Fair there was an influx of people from the surrounding communities. Some would arrive by train and secure rooms at the popular hotels of the day such as the Eagle and Phenix Hotels. They would dine at the popular restaurants and spend a few days enjoying the refreshing countryside so well preserved here in Concord.
Our ancestors were somewhat like ourselves. It is human nature to adhere to routine, if something works why change it. During 1896 there were many things that worked quite well, but change was in the air. If you did not embrace change your might be left behind and finding yourself not quite as productive as the farmer next door. People were competitive, just like we are today and a challenge is a good way to grow on many different levels.
I can imagine the Concord Trade Fair of 1896, the underlying excitement surrounding the new fair that showcased marvels of the day. The cool October air with the fall foliage aglow for as far as the horizon. Good food, good company and a feeling of hope for the future.