State flower
The purple lilac, Syringa vulgaris, is the state flower of New Hampshire. New Hampshire historian Leon Anderson writes in To This Day that the purple lilac was first imported from England and planted at the Portsmouth home of Governor Benning Wentworth in 1750. It was adopted as our state's flower in 1919. That year bills and amendments were introduced promoting the apple blossom, purple aster, wood lily, Mayflower, goldenrod, wild pasture rose, evening primrose and buttercup as the state flower. A long and lively debate followed regarding the relative merits of each flower. The purple lilac was ultimately chosen, according to Anderson in New Hampshire's Flower -- Tree -- Bird because it "is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State." New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 3:5
state bird
Name: Purple Finch
Binomial Name: Carpodacus purpureus
Adopted: Legislation of 1957
The Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) is a small finch whose breeding habitat is coniferous and mixed forest in Canada and the northeastern United States.
Adult Purple Finches have a short forked brown tail and brown wings. Adult males are raspberry red on the head, breast, back and rump and their back is streaked. Females of the species have light brown upperparts and white underparts with dark brown streaks throughout as well as a white line on the face above the eye.
Binomial Name: Carpodacus purpureus
Adopted: Legislation of 1957
The Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) is a small finch whose breeding habitat is coniferous and mixed forest in Canada and the northeastern United States.
Adult Purple Finches have a short forked brown tail and brown wings. Adult males are raspberry red on the head, breast, back and rump and their back is streaked. Females of the species have light brown upperparts and white underparts with dark brown streaks throughout as well as a white line on the face above the eye.
state flag
The state flag shall be of the following color and design: The body or field shall be blue and shall bear upon its center in suitable proportion and colors a representation of the state seal. The seal shall be surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves with nine stars interspersed.
state song
Old New Hampshire
Written by Dr. John F. Holmes
Composed by Maurice Hoffmann
With a skill that knows no measure,
From the golden store of Fate
God, in His great love and wisdom,
Made the rugged Granite State;
Made the lakes, the fields, the forests;
Made the Rivers and the rills;
Made the bubbling, crystal fountains
Of New Hampshire's Granite Hills.
Old New Hampshire, Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
Builded He New Hampshire glorious
From the borders to the sea;
And with matchless charm and splendor
Blessed her for eternity.
Here, the majesty of mountain;
Here, the grandeur of the lake;
Here, the truth as from the hillside
Whence her crystal waters break.
Old New Hampshire, Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
Written by Dr. John F. Holmes
Composed by Maurice Hoffmann
With a skill that knows no measure,
From the golden store of Fate
God, in His great love and wisdom,
Made the rugged Granite State;
Made the lakes, the fields, the forests;
Made the Rivers and the rills;
Made the bubbling, crystal fountains
Of New Hampshire's Granite Hills.
Old New Hampshire, Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
Builded He New Hampshire glorious
From the borders to the sea;
And with matchless charm and splendor
Blessed her for eternity.
Here, the majesty of mountain;
Here, the grandeur of the lake;
Here, the truth as from the hillside
Whence her crystal waters break.
Old New Hampshire, Old New Hampshire
Old New Hampshire Grand and Great
We will sing of Old New Hampshire,
Of the dear old Granite State
state motto
Live Free or Die New Hampshire's official state motto is "Live Free or Die," adopted in 1945 as World war II approached its end (the Old Man of the Mountain was also adopted at this time as the state emblem).
"Live Free Or Die," is a quote from a toast by General John Stark, New Hampshire's most distinguished hero of the Revolutionary War. In 2007, New Hampshire adopted its 10th official state song: "Live Free or Die" by Barry Palmer.
"Live Free Or Die," is a quote from a toast by General John Stark, New Hampshire's most distinguished hero of the Revolutionary War. In 2007, New Hampshire adopted its 10th official state song: "Live Free or Die" by Barry Palmer.
State Quarter
The 2000 New Hampshire state quarter was loved by millions when it was first released because of its beautiful depiction of a famous set of natural rock ledges dubbed "The Old Man of the Mountain."
Sadly, 3 years later, the New Hampshire quarter unofficially earned the status of memorializing the famed natural edifice, for time caught up with the "Old Man." In 2003, the beloved rock face collapsed.
Sadly, 3 years later, the New Hampshire quarter unofficially earned the status of memorializing the famed natural edifice, for time caught up with the "Old Man." In 2003, the beloved rock face collapsed.