The U.S. state of New Hampshire has placed historical markers since 1958 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. The program is authorized by RSA 227 C:4, X, and RSA 236:40 to 44. , DHR has installed 291 markers, although several have been retired or refurbished.
Markers New Hampshire's historical markers are green with white text; the state seal sits atop each one. There is generally a title line and up to 12 lines of text, each of which has no more than 45 characters. 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. The installation date is not listed on older markers.
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. The state's Division of Historical Resources has final decision rights for all markers. Markers funded by the state must be located along a state highway. A "co-operative marker" must be funded by whoever proposes it, and it can be located on a locally maintained road or on municipal land. , the state's website listed the cost of a marker at $2,000 to $2,500.
Markers generally have the same text on both sides, with some exceptions. Marker number one in Pittsburg only has text on one side. 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: Number 127 in Portsmouth provides a two-part narrative on a single subject, directing the reader to "see other side". Number 207 in Madison includes an image of the Gee Bee Model R-1 airplane built by Granville Brothers Aircraft. Number 208 in Manchester has text on one side in English, and the same information on the other side in French. Number 236 in Concord discusses Civil War mustering on one side and lists specific regiments on the other.
Organizers have advised, via the state's website, "As of January, 2025, the Historical Highway Marker program is currently focused on the rehabilitation and repair of existing markers and is not currently accepting new marker proposals."
Marker status The state periodically publishes a roster of markers which lists the status of each one. 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."
Retired markers In 2023, the state published and revised criteria whereby markers may be retired: The marker contains errors of fact The condition of the marker is such that the cost of repair approaches the cost of a new marker The marker requires refurbishment, but its historical or educational value is "severely limited"
Since March 2022, the following markers have been listed as retired: Number 36 in Bow, which discussed an 1833 visit by Andrew Jackson Number 55 in Rumney, which discussed the 1712 destruction of "a Pemigewasset Indian village" and resulting "scalp bounty" Number 85 in Raymond, which discussed "the 1747 massacre of [three residents] by Indians of the Winnipesaukee Tribe" Number 278 in Concord, which discussed Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, a labor leader and feminist who served as chairwoman of the Communist Party USA and was convicted under the Smith Act
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.
List of markers
The following pages list each marker, ordered by marker numbers as chronologically assigned by the state. Each page contains 25 entries, noting each marker's city or town, and providing the text on the marker. List of New Hampshire historical markers (1–25) List of New Hampshire historical markers (26–50) List of New Hampshire historical markers (51–75) List of New Hampshire historical markers (76–100) List of New Hampshire historical markers (101–125) List of New Hampshire historical markers (126–150) List of New Hampshire historical markers (151–175) List of New Hampshire historical markers (176–200) List of New Hampshire historical markers (201–225) List of New Hampshire historical markers (226–250) List of New Hampshire historical markers (251–275) List of New Hampshire historical markers (276–300)
Markers by community The below table alphabetically lists each city or town that has at least one historical marker. 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 Allenstown 193, 205, 211, 230 Alton 164, 288 Amherst 3 Andover 54 Antrim 178, 228 Ashland 100, 163 Barnstead 201 Barrington 96, 212, 279 Bartlett 109 Bath 121, 217 Bean's Grant 45 Bedford 102 Belmont 235 Bennington 153 Benton 245 Berlin 159, 215, 254, 255 Bethlehem 198, 218, 257 Boscawen 49, 256 Bow 36 Bradford 108 Brentwood 180, 249 Bristol 269 Brookline 271 Campton 196 Canaan 21, 246 Candia 141, 237 Canterbury 283 Carroll 30, 87, 122, 233, 274 Center Harbor 7 Charlestown 2, 117, 177 Chester 14, 139 Chesterfield 60, 95, 216 Claremont 41, 57, 188 Clarksville 115 Concord 66, 67, 80, 105, 110, 125, 128,147, 148, 175, 184, 236, 238, 278 Conway 38 Cornish 16, 76, 134, 158, 265 Danville 169, 258 Deerfield 25, 145, 183, 214 Derry 48, 58, 126, 266 Dixville 171 Dover 51, 92, 165, 264, 282, 289 Dunbarton 111 Durham 8, 50, 89, 154 Easton 200 Effingham 83 Enfield 202, 241 Epsom 199 Exeter 32, 97, 131, 161, 240 Farmington 98 Fitzwilliam 99 Francestown 23, 43 Franconia 9, 263 Franklin 91, 129 Fremont 142, 156, 157, 167, 170, 277 Gilford 118, 239 Gilmanton 17 Gilsum 168 Goshen 140 Grafton 251, 252 Greenfield 130 Greenland 113 Hampstead 247 Hampton 28, 119 Hampton Falls 37 Hanover 261 Hart's Location 186, 213 Haverhill 56, 104, 136, 160, 190 Hebron 223 Hill 162 Hillsborough 65, 107, 203 Hinsdale 112, 204 Holderness 39 Hollis 260 Hooksett 132 Hopkinton 195 Jaffrey 13 Jefferson 19, 152, 229 Keene 69, 86, 226 Kingston 46 Laconia 135, 172 Lancaster 84, 173, 219 Lempster 182 Lincoln 224 Lisbon 70 Littleton 71, 185 Londonderry 166 Loudon 15 Madison 207 Manchester 124, 208, 225 Mason 35 Merrimack 29, 79 Milan 227, 284 Milford 133, 268 Nashua 267 New Boston 146 New Castle 4 New Durham 222 New Ipswich 10, 101, 137 Newbury 81 Newfields 272 Newington 151 Newmarket 209, 290 Newport 6, 106 North Hampton 62 Northwood 24, 181 Nottingham 259 Orford 33 Ossipee 20 Pelham 176 Pembroke 144, 187, 250 Peterborough 206, 210, 244, 270 Pinkham's Grant 11 Pittsburg 1 Pittsfield 197 Plainfield 77 Plymouth 179, 189 Portsmouth 75, 114, 127, 194, 234, 281, 286 Randolph 220 Raymond 85, 273 Richmond 59 Rindge 138 Rochester 42, 191 Rollinsford 88 Rumney 55, 174 Rye 18, 63, 78 Salem 72, 221, 253 Sandown 26 Sandwich 82, 248 Seabrook 103, 120 Sharon 68 Somersworth 280, 287 Stark 150 Stewartstown 47, 64 Stoddard 27, 52 Strafford 291 Stratford 34 Sugar Hill 73 Surry 93 Sutton 44 Swanzey 22, 232 Tamworth 31, 90, 155 Temple 12 Tilton 149, 262 Tuftonboro 276, 285 Wakefield 5, 123 Walpole 61 Warner 243 Warren 231, 275 Washington 94 Weare 143, 192 Westmoreland 74 Wilmot 40 Wolfeboro 53, 116, 242
denotes markers with a different inscription on each side
denotes markers listed as "retired"
Notes
References
Further reading RSA XIX 227-C:4 Historic Preservation Functions RSA XX 236:40-48 Marking the Location of Public and Historic Incidents (Highway Regulations) RSA XX 236:40 Historic Markers RSA XX 236:41 Historic Preservation Office RSA XX 236:44 Cooperative Markers
External links New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers from New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources at NH.gov Interactive map with marker photos at storymaps.arcgis.com New Hampshire Historical Markers on Flickr NewHampshire.com list of markers from August 2010 via Wayback Machine Photos of historical markers by number from April 2016 via Wayback Machine