Eric, Diane & I Tour the New Hampshire State House in Concord, New Hampshire

Diane & Eric in front of

The Solders Memorial
in front of the New
Hampshire State House

Eric & I are happy to have our

daughter, Diane, with us to 

visit her State House in

Concord, New Hampshire.

Built in 1819, the New Hampshire State House has been enlarged by additions several times

in its last nearly 300 year history.  The rear addition included much needed rest rooms.

Diane stands between the displays

 honoring  the 320 year history of

 New Hampshire's National Guard.

Diane & Eric pose with
President Obama.











They are continuing our family tradition of having photos taken with cardboard cutouts of U.S. Presidents.  Eric,, Adam, Diane and I gathered around cutouts of President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush for a picture in 1989 in Washington, D.C.

We are tagging along on a

tour with fourth graders.

Virginia is our tour guide.

Representative Joe Hannon
joins the tour.

He represents the children's
district in the New Hampshire
House of Representatives.





There is no rotunda in the New Hampshire State House.  The dome was added at a later date. It is ornamental.

The group gathers around this

mural of Pickett's Charge on

July 4, 1863.

Virginia points out the flags &

talks about how they signaled

 rally points to soldiers

during battle.

New Hampshire's battle flags are from
the Civil War, the Spanish American 
War,  World War I, World War II
& the Vietnam War.










The next stop on the tour is the House of Representatives.  This room looks like a theater.  Where are the Representatives desks?

The class debates a "proposed bill" to add one hour to the school day.

There is much discussion.  Amendments are proposed & voted on.

The result; The group passes a bill to extend the school day

by 30 minutes.

This class of fourth graders likes debating a mock bill that could affect their lives.  There may be future New Hampshire Legislators in this group.

The public is welcome to sit in

the Public Gallery & watch the

House of Representatives when

 it is in session.

The House of Representatives has four hundred seats.  Representatives are issued lockers that they can keep their coats in.  They bring whatever papers and laptops they need and work off their laps when the House of Representatives is in session.

The New Hampshire State Senate has twenty-four members.  The Senate Chamber is tiny, compared to the House of Representatives.  The Senators have desks, that they share.

Senator Kevin Avard, New
Hampshire's Singing Senator,
sings a song he wrote about
New Hampshire citizens
choosing their state
representatives.






The children are excited to learn that their concerns are important to New Hampshire's legislative process.

I learned that New Hampshire's Representatives and Senators serve for $100.00 per year.  All the legislators have full time jobs that they take leave from to represent their constituents during a Legislative Session. The legislators meet as many times as necessary to pass the laws that are brought before them in any given year.

The last stop on the tour is the Governor's Reception Room.  Governor Maggie Hassan, who loves spending time with children, has been out of the State House today.  There's no guarantee that the fourth graders will meet her.

Governor Hassan leaves an

 important meeting to

 greet the children.

Representative Hannon

looks on.

Governor Hassan & Representative
Hannon pose for a picture with the
fourth grade class.







The young girl in white, to the left of the Governor is star struck.  She has been studying Governor Hassan for a report.  Now she can include this meeting in her essay.

How does this 36th state capitol rate?  Best tour ever!  Virginia does a great job sharing the New Hampshire State House's history and the business of state government.

Having your State Representative join the tour and answer questions is awesome! Singing Senator Avard used music to teach the children that their voices are important in New Hampshire governance.

Governor Hassan is the first governor Eric and I have seen during a state capitol tour.  Her taking time away from a meeting to meet fourth graders, chat with them and pose with a picture made each nine year old feel special and important.