NEW HAMPSHIRE
Located in the northeastern United States, our 9th state is New Hampshire. The postal abbreviation is NH. (Nevada was NV.) It was one of the original 13 colonies and became a state on June 21, 1788. The capital is Concord and was named in honor of the peaceful agreement reached between Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 1762. The city, originally named Mumford, was incorporated by Massachusetts but was later found to actually be within the boundaries of New Hampshire.
This state is relatively small, just over 9,000 square miles, making it the 46th biggest state. With more than 1.3 million people living here, it ranks as the 41st most populous state. Those who call New Hampshire home are referred to as New Hampshirites.
According to Biography.com, there were at least 26 famous people born in New Hampshire, including activists and political leaders, authors and actors, athletes and astronauts. The list includes such people as Dan Brown, Benjamin Butler, Salmon P. Chase, Mary Baker Eddy, Horace Greeley, John Irving, Scotty Lago, Mandy Moore, Franklin Pierce (14th President), Alan Shepard, Daniel Webster, Harriet E. Wilson, and Henry Wilson. Many of these people played a prominent role in our nation's history. Pick one and research him or her.
The economy of New Hampshire is supported by tourism, manufacturing of electronic equipment and metals, and the mining of sand and gravel. Agriculture is another important sector of the economy with dairy farming, greenhouse products, and hay.
New Hampshire's motto is "Live Free or Die." It is credited to Revolutionary War hero, General John Stark. The state nickname is "Granite State" due to its history of quarrying granite. Granite is also the state rock.
The state bird is the purple finch, and the state animal is the white-tailed deer. The ladybug is the state insect, and the Karner blue butterfly is the state butterfly. The pumpkin is the state fruit (what makes it a fruit and not a vegetable?). The state flower is the purple lilac, and the state tree is the white birch. The pink ladyslipper is the state wildflower. The state sport is skiing. There aren't too many other states with a state sport. Vermont and Colorado share skiing as their states' official sport.
The New Hampshire flag was adopted in 1909. The seal depicts the Revolutionary War ship, "Raleigh," near a large chunk of granite. Nine yellow stars (NH is the 9th state) surround the seal, combined with yellow laurels.
New Hampshire has some little known but very interesting details. For example, the author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb," Sarah Josepha Hale, was from Newport. Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who died in the Challenger explosion, was from New Hampshire. The hamlet of Merrimack is where the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales reside (you've seen the winter commercials with those humongous horses, haven't you?). A man from Concord invented the alarm clock in 1787. I wonder what he was always late for.
If you are planning a visit to New Hampshire, there are quite a few things you should see:
Mount Washington stands at 6,288 feet tall and is the tallest mountain in the Northeast. The park provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation in both summer and winter. Camping, hiking, swimming, skiing, snowmobiling, and mushing are some of the activities available. The Mount Washington region also has beautiful waterfalls, an aerial tram ride, covered bridges, Clark's Trading Post, a scenic drive on Kancamagus Highway, the Cog Railway with the steepest railroad tracks in the world, The Brick Store, and a mile-long alpine slide to ride.
There are amusement parks and theme parks. Caves abound in New Hampshire for spelunking. The outdoor history museum, Strawberry Banke, is located in Portsmouth. Tour the 16-room mansion, Castle in the Clouds, in Moultonborough. Canterbury Shaker Village is a unique hands-on experience where visitors can catch a glimpse of Shaker life in the 19th century. Ruggles Mine is a working-mine-turned-tourist-attraction located in Grafton.
Old Man of the Mountain Memorial, Flume Gorge, and the Isles of Shoals are some other interesting and beautiful sites.
If you are interested in learning further about New Hampshire, the following items can be found at Christianbook.com. If you purchase through my blog, I will receive a commission.
 |
Voices from Colonial America: New Hampshire 1603-1776 By Scott Auden / Random House, Inc |
 |
New Hampshire Poster/Map By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International This oversize map features key cities, landmarks, historic sites, rivers, regions, borders, and major geographic features plus an array of state"must-haves" including state symbols, as well as fascinating state trivia, a timeline of important state events, and more. Excellent as a classroom, library, or resource center's primary visual focus. Available for all 50 states! All ages. |
 |
New Hampshire Wheel of Fortune, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International Students learn about history, geography, people, economics, civics and more, while developing math, spelling, and language skills! Students will solve word puzzles about wars, women, agriculture, transportation, government, and more. Includes game instructions, how to make a "Lazy Susan wheel", and prize suggestions. Students will spin the wheel while learning state facts and improving grammar, critical thinking, and memory skills. Scoring makes it fun. Reproducible prize coupons included! Grades 3,8; ages 8-14. |
 |
It Happened in New Hampshire, 2nd: Remarkable Events That Shaped History By Stillman Rogers / Globe Pequot |
 |
History of the Second Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers By Martin Haynes / Applewood Books |
|
Mary Baker Eddy By Gillian Gill & Gill Gillian / Da Capo Press |
|
A History of the Struggle for Slavery Extension or Restriction in the United States By Horace Greeley / Applewood Books |
 |
Alan Shepard: Higher and Faster By Janet Benge & Geoff Benge / YWAM Publishing The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history. When he wasn't soaring above the clouds, astronaut Alan Shepard used his expertise to benefit others, raising money to fuel the dreams of science students and guiding NASA missions. The achievements of this high flyer—America's "Lindbergh of Space"—inspire all who dare to live their dreams. For ages 10 and up. |
 |
Heroes of History Unit Study: Alan Shepard By YWAM Publishing This unit-study CD-ROM accompanies the sold-separately Alan Shepard: Higher and Faster. Perfect for homeschoolers, students, or teachers, one can easily print off student projects and activity sheets. This unit study includes the curriculum unit study guide; instructions for classroom, homeschool, or group use; a biographical sketch; and more. Unit Study elements include "Student Explorations" (writing assignments and hands-on projects); social studies activity sheets on geography and history; Scripture memorization; devotional applications; community links (service projects & field trips); and related cross-curricular themes to explore. A final project that includes displays, presentations, or era-based activities is also included. Ages 10 & up. System Requirements: Windows:
|
 |
Daniel Webster, Sower Series By Mott Media, LLC Daniel Webster was a farm boy who loved books. He became a lawyer, congressman, senator, and Secretary of State. He was also a strong Christian. In the halls of Congress, he debated Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Before the Supreme Court, he argued for freedom from government intrusion for little Dartmouth College. Through every turn in his career, the silver-tongued orator was found always on the same side of every political debate—the side of the United States of America. For ages 9 to 13. |
