Keene, New Hampshire, USA

Defining Main Street: The Candy Store. Happy Valentine's Day! Did you remember? If not, better head to your Main Street candy shop. Have you noticed how candy stores are re-appearing in those newly-built town centers that are modeled on streets like this? [2009]

Cornish, New Hampshire, and Windsor, Vermont, USA

The Cornish-Windsor covered bridge connects two states across the Connecticut River. From portal to portal, it's the longest in the United States and a civil engineering landmark. Remember, though, you must "walk your horses or pay two dollars fine." [2018 and 1991]

Contoocook, New Hampshire, USA

You know you love summer with its cooling background colors (greens and blues) and its floral punctuation marks in purple, not to mention red, orange, and yellow. What's the river? The Contoocook, of course. [2018]

Old West Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA

Along the Connecticut River are many examples of New England "connecting architecture," sometimes described as "big house, little house, back house, barn." Yes, that garage probably started as a barn. Why do you think such architectural ideas were so popular in New England? Could the snow on the ground be a clue, or is it more complex than that? [2022]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

Here is some advice for anybody turning nine years old today: Avoid being like everybody else, and don't be afraid to be different! [2018]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

That blue crane would be the perfect piece of equipment for (1) washing the windows on that apartment building, (2) re-gilding the New Hampshire state house dome, or (3) polishing the cross on top of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. [2018]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

When the Granite State ratified the U.S. Constitution on this date in 1788, its vote was the ninth, but it was more important than any other: With the ninth ratification, the Constitution went into effect. Here are some flowers to say happy 231st birthday! In the picture below, though: no posies. Concord had been conquered by the cold. [2018 and 1988]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

"Ring around the rosy; pocket full of posies; ashes, ashes; we all fall down." How many cultures around the world celebrate by dancing around in circles and chanting rhymes? But, the origins of this particular folk practice could be darker. Here on the statehouse lawn, though, it seems to offer a lot of harmless family fun. [2018]

Hopkinton, New Hampshire, USA

The Congregational Church is one of the foundation stones of New England. It was perfectly suited to the North American frontier because it insisted on the complete autonomy of local congregations. Compare that with the clerical hierarchy that governed the Church of England. The Congregational Church helped make New England new. [2018]

Contoocook, New Hampshire, USA

Here, along the Contookook River, a rare wooden rail car survives from the early 20th century. It served the people of New Hampshire well during the heyday of passenger service and is now being affectionately restored with one volunteer who was out laboring or Labor Day. See the covered railroad bridge in the background? [2018]

Swanzey, New Hampshire, USA

The Carlton Bridge is in a particularly bridge-rich area of New England with residents who recognize the value of cultural patrimony. In 1993, the townfolk made sure the Carlton Bridge did not continue downspiraling into oblivion. Later that decade the bridge was completely rebuilt. [1993]

Swanzey, New Hampshire, USA

All four of Swanzey's covered bridges contribute to the town's economic base: Visitors come to walk through history and steep themselves in an idealized past. In the process, they spend money. Let's protect the river and the West Swanzey Bridge, lest they go the way of the Old Man of the Mountain. See him? [2009]

Winchester, New Hampshire, USA

Magnificent! That's what all covered bridge hunters exclaim when they discover the Ashuelot Bridge. As a bonus, they can see the latticework that transfers the weight of the bridge to the abutments. It's called a Town Truss after its inventor, Ithiel Town, a Connecticut engineer and architect. [2009]

Winchester, New Hampshire, USA

The summer holidays are here, and it's time for a laugh. We're lucky to have the landscape to tickle our funny bones. Anyone hungry? [2009]

Harrisville, New Hampshire, USA

New Hampshire's Zucchini Festival lasted into the 1990s, with most people coming by car. But, gad zukes! When all the cars were turned into zucchinis, no one could get to Harrisville, and the festivities came to an end. April fools! [1993]