A key new study reinforces the suggestion offered by history professions for over 40 years – rebuilding the 1758 Old NH State House from its ancient timbers is a bad idea. Our original in-depth report tracks the full story of why this historic building may forever rest in pieces.
We should stop kidding ourselves about the Old State House. Short of traveling back in time, not even Superman could "save" the colonial structure. The 1758 courthouse, built under British rule, once dominated the center of Portsmouth’s Market Square. Later considered an eyesore and a public hazard, the dilapidated building was sold for salvage to Capt. Israel Marden in 1836. Marden stripped off and sold the important architectural features.
Less than one-third of the building was moved a few blocks away to 47 Court Street. That piece was remodeled and rented as a 19th century residence, then later used as a liquor warehouse.
For over 70 years patriots and preservationists have tried to rebuild New Hampshire’s first State House from the bits that survive. At least four passionate attempts have failed for lack of funding, or location, or public interest. Moved three times, the wooden skeleton of the surviving section was methodically dismantled in 1989. Today it still rests in pieces in a 40-foot metal trailer in Concord. Experts hired by the NH Division of Historic Resources will soon determine the fate of the Old State House as their two-year federally-funded study comes to an end.
The prognosis is not good. Preservation consultant Christine Miller has photographed and assessed every artifact for rot, splintering, cracking and insect damage. Her report was completed in January 2008. At least 410 of the 490 pieces "retain high integrity and are generally in good condition," Miller writes. But her report, published online by NHDHR, carries a killer conclusion. She advises against rebuilding the State House from its original timbers. Any reconstruction using these elements, the report concludes, would be "largely incomplete".
The problem is not with the surviving relics, but with the many missing parts. Even the small extant portion of the Old State House has no first floor, plaster, windowsills, chimney, wall paneling, stairs or doors. Other artifacts date from the 1836 redesign. Regenerating a new building from these old parts makes little sense, according to the report, because the historic pieces would be covered over by modern materials anyway – and would not benefit the public. The surviving elements of the State House, according to the conservator’s view, will best be used as part of an exhibit.
We can, of course, still build a replica without using the old timbers. Anyone with the money, the site, and a good blueprint can still build a reconstruction of the 1758 State House. Creating a modern copy, subject to current building codes, has been estimated at $2 - $3 million. Portsmouth, however, has a longstanding aversion to reproductions due to its many authentic historic house museums.
Sea Dogs: Celebrating 15 Years May 13, 2008 PORTLAND -- Charlie Eshbach, President/General Manager, Portland Sea Dogs, will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Sea Dogs with the publication of a new history of the team, “The Portland Sea Dogs: Images of Baseball.” FREE
LIVESTRONG Day May 13, 2008 EXETER -- Wear yellow. Honor and support people affected by cancer in our community. Enjoy a new exhibition of art by cancer survivors. Learn about the Lance Armstrong Foundation's programs to unite people to fight cancer, and meet a member of the LAF s...
Be a Herbal Apprentice Course May 14, 2008 CANTERBURY -- Fee: $175, members $160
Drive away the winter blues by delving into herbology. This course provides hands on experiences, making tinctures, soaps and herbal salts, for example, to connect you with the early spring. We will also concentrat...
American Independence Museum's Opening Day May 14, 2008 The American Independence Museum opens for the season in Historic Exeter, New Hampshire. Museum hours are 10am to 4pm, with the last tours at 3:30pm.
Veggie Teens and Raw Food May 14, 2008 EXETER -- Raise Your Vibe Wednesdays at Blue Moon. Blue Moon Natural Foods, 8 Clifford Street, Exeter, sees this spring as an opportunity to explore what each of us can do to make healthful choices for people and the planet. Some of these solutions com...
Writer Louise Erdrich May 14, 2008 PORTSMOUTH -- One of the most gifted, prolific and challenging of contemporary Native American novelists, Award-winning novelist Louise Erdrich will be a part of our Writers on a New England Stage series on May 14. Her new original novel The Plague of D...
Lighthouse Buffet Dinner May 16, 2008 The main event this evening will be the American Lighthouse Foundation's first “Lighthouse Trivia Challenge.” This will be a Jeopardy-style competition, complete with buzzers and sound effects. The winners of the early games will compete in a final roun...
Meteors, Meteorites and Comets May 16, 2008 CONCORD -- Planetarium Educator Bob Veilleux will explain why you can collect meteorites - but not meteors or comets. Learn about these fascinating solar system interlopers, where they come from, how you can see them, and how they are related. See and...
Mother Courage May 16 - 17, 2008 Our mainstage season wraps up in May with the Senior Youth Repertory Company production of Bertolt Brecht’s epic masterpiece Mother Courage and Her Children. Through Brecht’s stark vision, the play relentlessly questions the distinctions between war, bu...
Books & Blooms Sale May 17, 2008 BRENTWOOD -- Our Annual Books & Blooms Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th from 9 - 11:30 am! Come to the Mary Bartlett Library, 22 Dalton Road in Brentwood, to purchase lots of books for little money - and purchase great plants at great prices. Pl...