New Hampshire State House Celebrates Bicentennial

The New Hampshire State House celebrated its 200th birthday on Sunday, June 2nd, making it the fifth state house in the nation to celebrate its bicentennial. The structure, built from local granite, is the oldest state capital building in the nation in which both houses of the legislature still meet in their original chambers.

The bicentennial celebration was marked with a week of events, including 1819 legislative session reenactments, a showcase of the 1789 Bill of Rights and an engraved copy of the 1823 Declaration of Independence, an executive councilor and press roundtable, New Hampshire's Cultural Heritage and Arts Day, and many more events throughout the week.

One of the more notable events was the Governor's roundtable, which included former governors John H. Sununu, Steve Merrill, Jeanne Shaheen, Craig Benson, Maggie Hassan, and current Governor Chris Sununu. The group discussed their most memorable moments in the State House, though each of the governors emphasized one main theme; their deep appreciation for how the State House reflects the transparency and accessibility of New Hampshire's leaders.

The busy week came to an end with the New Hampshire Made Street Market, showcasing all the great goods New Hampshire has to offer, and a closing ceremony on Saturday.