NH Historical Society - The Votes Are In!

The Votes Are In!
A Celebration of New Hampshire's Favorite Symbols

What is it about New Hampshire that inspires our affection? What are the most significant places, events, and traditions of our state? What icons symbolize the heart and soul of this place we call New Hampshire?

New Hampshire Chooses

In celebration of the 21st century, the New Hampshire Historical Society invited the public to vote for their best-loved symbols of our state. Voters chose from a list of 49 possible New Hampshire icons. There was also a provision for write-in votes. Thousands cast their votes both online and with paper ballots. Teachers used the project in their classrooms. Newspaper editors bantered about what did and didn't belong on the list. In the end, the people spoke with their votes.

The Winners

The winning symbols range from Mount Washington to the Amoskeag Mills, from Lake Winnipesaukee to the Isles of Shoals. Country fairs, covered bridges, and stone walls all made the list, as did Canterbury Shaker Village and Dartmouth College. Topping the list, to no one's surprise, is the Old Man of the Mountain. The winning symbols are featured below and also were showcased in an exhibition at the Society's Museum of New Hampshire History. Through this Web site you'll enjoy discovering -- or rediscovering -- these beloved icons.

Listen and Learn About New Hampshire's Favorite Symbols

To learn about a specific symbol featured below, click on any of the images for a description and larger picture. You also can hear a two-minute Real Audio® essay about each symbol by clicking on the audio icon. These entertaining and educational audio essays, created by New Hampshire Public Radio and narrated by Fritz Wetherbee, were made possible by a grant from Public Service of New Hampshire.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

The exhibition, The Votes Are In! A Celebration of New Hampshire's Favorite Symbols, was sponsored by Laconia Savings Bank, Peerless Insurance, and Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Production and broadcast by New Hampshire Public Radio of the audio essays was underwritten by Public Service of New Hampshire.


Amoskeag Mills	Balsams Grand Resort Hotel		Canterbury Shaker Village


Country Fairs	Covered Bridges		Daniel Webster Birthplace


Dartmouth College	Isles of Shoals		Kancamagus Highway


Lake Winnipesaukee	Maple Sugaring		Mount Monadnock


Mount Washington Hotel & Resort	Mount Washington		Mount Washington Cog Railway


New Hampshire State House	New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary		Old Man of the Mountain


Phillips Exeter Academy	Robert Frost Farm		Stone Walls

Strawbery Banke		The White Mountains