NH State Capitol & Concord Area

We had to go back to my hometown, because of a death in the family (more on that in another post), so we took a break from all the chaos, and decided to take some pictures of Tammy’s town she grew up in.  Scott had never been inside a State Capitol Building, so we took a tour.  It had been a long time since I had been in there, so it was nice to go through it again.  We also took lots of pictures of Concord, and some of Tammy’s old “stomping grounds.”

To see pictures of the New Hampshire State Capitol Building, click here!

To see pictures of Concord, New Hampshire, click here!

A little history of the State Capitol of New Hampshire:

The New Hampshire State House is the state capitol building of New Hampshire, located in Concord on Main Street. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor and Executive Council. The building was constructed on a block framed by Park Street (named in honor if the architect) to the north, Main Street to the east, Capitol Street to the south, and North State Street to the west.

The current statehouse was designed in 1814 with the costs paid by the city of Concord. The building was built from 1816-1819 by architect Stuart James Park.

The building was built in Greek Revival style with smooth granite blocks. The entrance is covered by a small projecting portico supported by Corinthian columns. The balcony above is lined with a balustrade separated by Corinthian columns supporting a pediment. Another balustrade lines the edge of the flat roof.

The windows on the first floor are rectangular in shape, the second floor are arched and the third floor are square panels. An octagonal drum with large arched windows supports a golden dome with bull’s-eye windows and supporting a small lantern. A statue of a huge gold-painted wooden war eagle looking to the left was raised in 1818. In 1957, it was replaced with an element-proof peace eagle statue looking to the right, with the original eagle given to the New Hampshire Historical Society.

The capitol grounds occupy 2.6 acres and are enclosed by a granite fence. No gate impedes the flow of visitors, as this is “the people’s house”. Several statues dot the yard, including Daniel Webster, General John Stark, John P. Hale, and Franklin Pierce, the only President from New Hampshire. On the State Street side of the building, a monument to George H. Perkins by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon was erected on the grounds in 1902.

Doric Hall

The main entrance opens into the Doric Hall (renamed the Hall of Flags).  The halls holds 107 battle flags for New Hampshire representing the Civil War, Spanish-American War, the First and Second World Wars, and the Vietnam War.

Senate Chamber

The Senate Chamber is located in the northeast corner of the capitol and consists of 24 members. Large arched windows light the chamber. Behind the rostrum are large murals arched to mirror the windows and depicting events in the state’s history. The mural to the left depicts the first commencement at Dartmouth College, next is Daniel Webster reading the U.S. Constitution, after that is Abbott Thayer teaching his art class, and the last is John Stark preparing for battle in the Revolution. The murals were painted by Barry Faulkner in 1942. Large curved tables surround the rostrum and are replicas of originals.

House Chamber

The House Chamber houses the largest state legislative body in the Union with 400 members. Large arched windows line the walls. The rostrum hangs portraits of John Hale, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Pierce, and Daniel Webster

The first session of the General Court began in 1819. The State House is the oldest state capitol in which the legislature meets in its original chambers.

To see pictures of the New Hampshire State Capitol Building, click here!

To see pictures of Concord, New Hampshire, click here!