New Hampshire’s Government Sites & Buildings

Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion

The Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site in Portsmouth was home to New Hampshire’s first governor, Benning Wentworth. The 40-room mansion which features Georgian architecture and overlooks Little Harbor, was purchased in 1886 by John Templeton Coolidge. A shipping mogul from Boston, Coolidge restored the mansion with the help of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities and he and his family used it as a summer home until it was donated to the state in 1954. Today the Edwardian barn has been adapted as a visitor center and houses a gallery of local contemporary art.

New Hampshire State House

The fine city of Concord became the seat of state government in 1808. The New Hampshire State House, built from 1816 to 1819, is the oldest state capitol building in the country.

The grounds of this Greek Revival style granite building, encompass 2.6 acres, surrounded by a granite fence.

Statues of General John Stark, Franklin Pierce, Daniel Webster and John P. Hale are located on the grounds. The State House features a portico with Doric columns and Corinthian columns on the balcony.

The New Hampshire state legislature continues to meet in the Senate Chamber and the House Chamber. The offices of the Governor and Executive Council are also housed in the State House.

Tour this magnificent building to see Doric Hall, the Hall of Flags, which features 107 battle flags for the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and the Civil War.