New Hampshire architecture largely reflects the history, geography and industry of the state. It is one of the northernmost states of the United States; beyond its northern border is Canada. There are distinct districts in the state each with its own peculiar style of buildings. The state is named after a southern English county called Hampshire and much of the architecture in some districts is similar to what might be found in England.
This is perhaps least true however in the north of the state which is mostly rural and forested. Not many people live in this section and the buildings are reflective of the remote countryside environment. Timber is the material of choice in buildings here.
Toward the centre of the state is lakes country and is the main tourist destination of New Hampshire. There are hotels built in traditional settler style as well as modern edifices. There are also many timber houses and cabins available for rental. Many are built in the traditional woodsman hut styles which lend a great sense of nostalgia for the entire American past rather than just this region alone.
The coastal towns have a rich history and carry a strong essence of their early English settlement. Most bare the same names as coastal towns of England such as Devon, Portsmouth and Exeter. Indeed back in the day England was very much viewed as the mother country until a certain tea party event took place in Boston in the neighboring state of Massachusetts. Industry in the old coastal towns was mainly built on fishing, shipbuilding and other maritime activities.
As we move further south we enter the areas that had the heaviest industrial activities in the state. Manufacturing of textiles and railway construction were centered on towns such as Manchester. Again, this is synonymous with Manchester England which was also built up on the same industries. Construction and manufacture are still important in this area of the state albeit the modes of production and the products themselves have changed.
Georgian style architecture imported from Europe was popular in the eighteenth century. Most of these houses are elaborate in design. They include ornate facades with molded figurines of cherubim or ancient Greek decorations such as wreaths and grapes. Bay shaped windows and doorways are reinforced with highly decorated pillars and plasterwork. Many have attic rooms with small attic windows visible in the rooftops.
The interiors of the properties are equally as elaborate as the exteriors. Front doors are large and often framed with stained glass windows. Hallways are large with high ceilings. They often have polished wood floors or are tiled with slate or mosaic. A common feature an ornate staircase made of a dark hard wood and an upper floor that overlooks the hallway beneath.
Most New Hampshire architecture interiors feature intricate cornice designs and fancy ceiling roses. The fireplaces were a central design element. These were often large grates constructed from cast iron. They may also have been inlaid with gilt designs and motifs of flowers and emblems. Today, many houses have been restored to their former Georgian grandeur.
