New Hampshire historical markers

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Example of a New Hampshire historical marker Concordcapitolsign.jpg
Example of a New Hampshire historical marker

The U.S. state of New Hampshire has, since 1958, [1] placed historical markers at locations that are deemed significant to New Hampshire history. The New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (DHR) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are jointly responsible for the historical marker program. [2] The program is authorized by RSA 227 C:4, X, and RSA 236:40 to 44. [3] As of November 2023, DHR has installed 288 markers, [lower-alpha 1] although several have been retired or refurbished. [4] [5]

Contents

Markers

New Hampshire's historical markers are green with white text; the state seal sits atop each one. Generally, there is a title line and up to 12 lines of text, each of which has no more than 45 characters. [3] Some markers note the year they were installed—it may be centered under the main text (early 2000s to present) or right-justified under the main text (1980s through early 2000s), although there are some visible exceptions—while on older markers it is not listed. [6]

Any individual or group may propose a marker to commemorate significant New Hampshire places, persons, or events. Requests must be accompanied by a petition for the marker, signed by at least 20 New Hampshire citizens. [3] The state's Division of Historical Resources has final decision rights for all markers. [3] Markers funded by the state must be located along a state highway. [3] A "co-operative marker," which must be funded by whoever proposes it, can be located on a locally maintained road or on municipal land. [3] As of October 2021, the state's website listed the cost of a marker at $2000 to $2500. [7]

Markers generally have the same text on both sides, with some exceptions. Marker number one in Pittsburg only has text on one side. [lower-alpha 2] Marker number 122 in Carroll features the Mount Washington Hotel on one side and the Bretton Woods Monetary Conference on the other; several other markers also have different topics on each side. A few markers appear to have unique layouts:

Marker status

A roster of markers, which is periodically published by the state, lists the status of each marker. [4] The vast majority of markers are "Installed", while a few may be "Out for Repair". Several markers have been "Retired", which indicates permanent removal. A New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker Advisory Committee has existed since the summer of 2020, "created and convened to complete a systematic review of existing markers for lack of historical context among other problems." [10] [11]

Retired markers

In 2023, the state published (and revised) criteria whereby markers may be retired: [2]

  1. The marker contains errors of fact
  2. The condition of the marker is such that the cost of repair approaches the cost of a new marker
  3. The marker requires refurbishment, but its historical or educational value is "severely limited"

Since March 2022, the following markers have been listed as retired: [4]

Marker Quest

In May 2022, the Division of Historical Resources announced a Historical Highway Marker Quest program, encouraging people to visit the state's markers, and offering a free sticker to anyone who visits 10 markers and submits a form listing them. [12]

List of markers

Marker number 114 in Portsmouth Craning to see North Cemetery (3611071404).jpg
Marker number 114 in Portsmouth

The following pages list each marker, ordered by marker numbers as chronologically assigned by the state. [4] Pages each contain 25 entries, noting each marker's city or town, and providing the text on the marker.

Markers by community

The below table alphabetically lists each city or town that has at least one historical marker. [5] Detail of individual markers can be viewed via the above list of markers. The capital city of Concord has the most markers, with 14 (one of which has been retired).

City or townMarker numbers
Allenstown193†, 205, 211, 230†
Alton164, 288
Amherst3
Andover54
Antrim178, 228
Ashland100, 163
Barnstead201
Barrington96, 212, 279
Bartlett109
Bath121, 217
Bean's Grant45
Bedford102
Belmont235†
Bennington153
Benton245
Berlin159, 215, 254, 255
Bethlehem198, 218, 257
Boscawen49, 256
Bow36‡
Bradford108
Brentwood180, 249
Bristol269
Brookline271
Campton196
Canaan21, 246
Candia141, 237†
Canterbury283
Carroll30, 87, 122†, 233, 274
Center Harbor7
Charlestown2, 117, 177
Chester14, 139
Chesterfield60, 95, 216
Claremont41, 57, 188
Clarksville115
Concord66, 67, 80, 105, 110, 125, 128,
147, 148, 175, 184, 236†, 238, 278‡
Conway38
Cornish16, 76, 134, 158, 265
Danville169, 258
Deerfield25, 145, 183, 214
Derry48, 58, 126, 266†
Dixville171
Dover51, 92, 165, 264, 282, 289
Dunbarton111
Durham8, 50, 89, 154
Easton200
Effingham83
Enfield202, 241
Epsom199
Exeter32, 97, 131, 161, 240
Farmington98
Fitzwilliam99
Francestown23, 43
Franconia9, 263
Franklin91, 129
Fremont142, 156, 157, 167, 170, 277
Gilford118, 239
Gilmanton17
Gilsum168
Goshen140
Grafton251, 252
Greenfield130
Greenland113
Hampstead247
Hampton28, 119
Hampton Falls37
Hanover261
Hart's Location186, 213
Haverhill56, 104, 136, 160, 190
Hebron223
Hill162
Hillsborough65, 107, 203
Hinsdale112, 204
Holerness39
Hollis260
Hooksett132
Hopkinton195
Jaffrey13
Jefferson19, 152, 229
Keene69, 86, 226
Kingston46
Laconia135, 172
Lancaster84, 173, 219
Lempster182
Lincoln224
Lisbon70
Littleton71, 185
Londonderry166
Loudon15
Madison207
Manchester124, 208†, 225
Mason35
Merrimack29, 79
Milan227
Milford133, 268
Nashua267
New Boston146
New Castle4
New Durham222
New Ipswich10, 101, 137
Newbury81
Newfields272
Newington151
Newmarket209
Newport6, 106
North Hampton62
Northwood24, 181
Nottingham259
Orford33
Ossipee20
Pelham176
Pembroke144, 187, 250†
Peterborough206, 210, 244, 270
Pinkham's Grant11
Pittsburg1
Pittsfield197
Plainfield77
Plymouth179, 189
Portsmouth75, 114, 127†, 194, 234, 281, 286
Randolph220
Raymond85‡, 273
Richmond59
Rindge138
Rochester42, 191
Rollinsford88
Rumney55‡, 174
Rye18, 63, 78
Salem72, 221, 253
Sandown26
Sandwich82, 248
Seabrook103, 120
Sharon68
Somersworth280, 287
Stark150
Stewartstown47, 64
Stoddard27, 52
Stratford34
Sugar Hill73
Surry93
Sutton44
Swanzey22, 232
Tamworth31, 90, 155
Temple12
Tilton149, 262
Tuftonboro276, 285
Wakefield5, 123
Walpole61
Warner243
Warren231, 275
Washington94
Weare143, 192
Westmoreland74
Wilmot40
Wolfeboro53, 116, 242

† denotes markers with a different inscription on each side
‡ denotes markers listed as "retired"

Notes

  1. ↑ Per the state's list, the highest numbered marker is 289; however, marker 284 has not yet been added to the list. [4]
  2. ↑ Marker number 55 in Rumney, now retired, was also reported as being blank on one side. [8]

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References

  1. ↑ Brindley, Michael (January 24, 2014). "Marking History: Republic Of Indian Stream In Pittsburg". nhpr.org . Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker Program Policy" (PDF). NH.gov. May 12, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "What You Need To Know To Request A New Hampshire State Highway Historical Marker". nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "List of Markers by Marker Number" (PDF). nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "List of Markers by Town" (PDF). nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  6. ↑ "New Hampshire Historical Markers". Flickr . Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  7. ↑ "How to Request a NH Historical Highway Marker" (PDF). NH.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Baker River Historical Marker". hmdb.org. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Brown, Janice (May 22, 2008). "Madison New Hampshire's Aviation Innovators: The Amazing Granville Family". cowhampshireblog.com. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  10. ↑ "How many markers are installed each year?". nh.gov. New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Who is left out? Re-evaluating NH's Roadside Markers and Sharing Untold Stories Offer Input for New Hampshire Preservation Plan (Virtual Gathering)". nhpreservation.org. October 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ Angers, Shelly (May 2, 2022). "NH Historical Highway Marker Quest launches in time for Historic Preservation Month". nh.gov (Press release). N.H. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Retrieved May 28, 2022.

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