Concord is a city in the northeastern United States, the capital of the state of New Hampshire and Merrimack County. Population - 42.7 thousand people (2010).
Concord, the capital city of New Hampshire, blends historical
significance, cultural vibrancy, and natural beauty. Settled in 1659 and
renamed in 1765 to symbolize harmony after a boundary dispute, it became
the state capital in 1808. The city offers a mix of government
landmarks, museums, performing arts venues, and outdoor spots, all
within a compact, walkable downtown area along the Merrimack River.
New Hampshire State House
The New Hampshire State House is the
centerpiece of Concord, both geographically and historically. Completed
in 1819, it is the oldest state capitol in the United States where the
legislature still convenes in its original chambers. Constructed from
local granite, the building features a striking gold-leaf dome topped
with an eagle, making it a prominent landmark visible from Interstate
93. Inside, visitors can explore the Hall of Flags, which displays
battle flags from various wars, and the legislative chambers adorned
with portraits of notable figures like Abraham Lincoln, George
Washington, and New Hampshire native President Franklin Pierce. Guided
tours highlight the building's architecture and the state's political
history, including its role in the nation's early governance. The State
House anchors Main Street and symbolizes Concord's enduring civic life,
offering free admission and opportunities to observe sessions when in
progress. For a unique experience, polite requests to security might
grant access to the dome's top for panoramic views. This site provides a
tangible connection to over 200 years of American history.
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center
Dedicated to New Hampshire's
pioneering astronauts—Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who tragically died
in the 1986 Challenger disaster, and Alan Shepard, the first American in
space—this science museum and planetarium is a hub for space exploration
enthusiasts. Located on the campus of NHTI – Concord’s Community
College, the center offers interactive exhibits on astronomy, aviation,
and earth sciences. Highlights include a full-motion flight simulator,
robot-building stations, a rock climbing wall mimicking New Hampshire's
granite cliffs, and planetarium shows projecting the night sky. Outdoor
features add to the hands-on appeal, making it ideal for families. The
museum honors McAuliffe's legacy of education and Shepard's
achievements, with artifacts like space suits and mission replicas. It's
wheelchair-accessible with ample parking, and visitors often praise its
engaging, educational vibe that inspires curiosity about the cosmos.
Pierce Manse
As the former home of Franklin Pierce, New
Hampshire's only U.S. president (serving from 1853 to 1857), the Pierce
Manse offers a glimpse into 19th-century life and presidential history.
This Greek Revival-style house, built in the 1830s, was Pierce's
residence from 1842 to 1848 before his ascent to the White House.
Restored and open to the public, it features period furnishings,
personal artifacts, and exhibits on Pierce's life, including his
controversial presidency marked by events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Guided tours delve into his family tragedies, political career, and the
era's social context. The site also displays unique items like a dress
worn by young Pierce before his "breeching" ceremony. Though often
ranked among America's less successful presidents, the Manse humanizes
him through intimate details. It's a key stop for history buffs, with
adjacent galleries showcasing regional artists' works.
Capitol
Center for the Arts
Opened in 1927 and lovingly restored, the Capitol
Center for the Arts (CCA) is New Hampshire's largest performing arts
venue and a cultural cornerstone of Concord. Housed in a historic
theater on Main Street, it hosts a diverse array of events, including
Broadway shows, concerts, comedy acts, and film screenings. The ornate
interior, with its grand chandeliers and plush seating, evokes the
glamour of early 20th-century entertainment. Notable features include
the Chubb Theatre, which seats over 1,300, and smaller spaces for
intimate performances. The CCA regularly features top-tier acts and
community events, making it a go-to for a "glitzy night out." Its
location in the revitalized downtown enhances the experience, with
nearby dining options. Visitors appreciate the venue's acoustics and the
blend of historic charm with modern amenities.
New Hampshire
Historical Society
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical
Society is the state's premier institution for preserving and sharing
Granite State history. Its museum and library in Concord house the most
extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and exhibits related to
New Hampshire's past. Visitors can explore galleries featuring Native
American artifacts, colonial-era items, and displays on industrial
development, politics, and daily life. Highlights include portraits of
historical figures and rotating exhibits on topics like women's suffrage
or the Civil War. The society offers educational programs, walking
tours, and access to a vast research library. It's an essential sight
for understanding Concord's role in broader American history, with a
focus on interactive and informative displays.
Other Notable
Sights and Outdoor Activities
Carter Hill Orchard: A popular seasonal
attraction just outside downtown, this family-owned orchard offers apple
picking, cider donuts, and stunning views of rolling hills. It's
especially vibrant in fall with hayrides and farm stands.
Outdoor
Trails and Rivers: Concord boasts numerous trails like Oak Hill, Broken
Ground Trails, and the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail for hiking,
biking, and birding. The Merrimack and Contoocook Rivers provide
opportunities for floating, canoeing, or fishing, with easy access from
downtown.
Unique and Unusual Spots: For offbeat experiences, check
out the Redstone Rocket Replica, a 92-foot tribute to early spaceflight;
the Steps to Nowhere, remnants of Pierce's final home; or the Haunted
Margaritas restaurant in a former jail.
By Air
Fly into one of the nearest airports, then take ground
transportation to Concord. The closest commercial airport is
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT), about 20 miles south. Other
options include Boston Logan International Airport (BOS, 64 miles south)
for more flight choices, or smaller regional airports like Lebanon
Municipal (LEB, 48 miles northwest) or Portland International Jetport
(PWM, around 90 miles northeast). Concord Municipal Airport (CON)
handles only general aviation, not commercial flights.
From
Manchester-Boston (MHT): Take a taxi, rideshare (Uber/Lyft, ~$40–60,
25–35 minutes), or rental car north on I-93. Limited public transit
options exist, but no direct bus to Concord—consider renting a car at
the airport for convenience.
From Boston Logan (BOS): Direct bus via
Concord Coach Lines runs hourly to Concord (1 hour 40 minutes, $15–21).
Taxis or rideshares take about 1–1.5 hours (~$100–150), or rent a car
and drive north on I-93.
From Lebanon (LEB): Rent a car or take a
taxi/rideshare (about 1 hour, $80–120) south on I-89. No direct public
bus.
From Portland (PWM): Rent a car (1.5–2 hours via I-95 south to
I-93 north) or connect via bus (e.g., Greyhound, 2–3 hours, $20–40).
For international or cross-country flights, BOS offers the most
routes and connections.
By Bus
Buses are a convenient,
affordable option, especially from the Northeast. Major providers
include Concord Coach Lines (frequent service from Boston and Maine) and
Greyhound (broader network).
From Boston (Logan Airport or South
Station): Concord Coach Lines offers multiple daily trips (1.5–2 hours,
$15–25).
From New York City (Port Authority): Greyhound or Concord
Coach Lines (5–7 hours, $40–70, with stops).
From other cities (e.g.,
Portland ME, Manchester NH): Frequent local buses via Concord Coach or
Greyhound (1–2 hours, $10–30).
Buses arrive at the Concord
Transportation Center (30 Stickney Ave), a short walk or taxi from
downtown. Amenities often include free Wi-Fi and outlets.
By
Train
There is no direct Amtrak passenger rail service to Concord—New
Hampshire's Amtrak stops are limited to the Downeaster route along the
coast (e.g., Exeter, Dover, Durham). Take Amtrak to Boston North
Station, then connect via bus (Concord Coach Lines, adding 1.5–2 hours).
For example:
From New York City: Amtrak to Boston (3.5–4.5 hours,
$50–150), then bus to Concord.
From Providence RI or other Northeast
cities: Similar connection via Boston.
Total time from NYC: 5–7
hours. Book Amtrak tickets that include Thruway bus connections if
available.
By Car
Driving is straightforward, as Concord sits
at the intersection of I-93 (north-south) and I-89
(northwest-southeast). Use apps like Google Maps or Waze for real-time
traffic and routes. Approximate directions from common starting points:
From Boston, MA (70 miles, 1–1.5 hours): Take I-93 north directly to
Concord.
From New York City (250 miles, 4–5 hours): I-95 north to
I-91 north (through CT and MA), then I-89 south to Concord.
From
Manchester, NH (20 miles, 25 minutes): I-93 north.
From Portland, ME
(110 miles, 1.5–2 hours): I-95 south to Route 101 west, then I-93 north.
From Burlington, VT (130 miles, 2 hours): I-89 south directly to
Concord.
From Montreal, Canada (200 miles, 3–4 hours): Autoroute 35
south to I-89 south across the border.
From Central Maine (e.g.,
Augusta, 150 miles, 2.5 hours): Route 202 west to I-393 west.
Pre-Colonial Era
The area now known as Concord, New Hampshire, has
a rich indigenous history dating back thousands of years. It was
originally inhabited by the Pennacook (or Penacook) people, a branch of
the Algonquin-speaking Abenaki nation. These Native Americans, led by
figures like Chief Passaconaway in the early 1600s, relied on the
Merrimack River for sustenance and transportation. They fished for
salmon, sturgeon, and alewives using nets across the river's rapids,
navigated birch bark canoes from Lake Winnipesaukee to the Atlantic
Ocean, and farmed fertile floodplain soils with crops like beans,
gourds, pumpkins, melons, and maize. The name "Penacook" derives from
the Abenaki word "pannukog," meaning "bend in the river," reflecting the
Merrimack's steep curves. Conflicts with European settlers, including
King William’s War (1688–1697) and the French and Indian War
(1754–1763), significantly diminished the native population, paving the
way for further colonial expansion.
Colonial Settlement and Early
Development (17th–18th Centuries)
European settlement began in 1659
when the area was first claimed as Penacook. On January 17, 1725, the
Province of Massachusetts Bay granted it as the Plantation of Penacook,
attracting settlers like Captain Ebenezer Eastman from Haverhill,
Massachusetts, who arrived between 1725 and 1727. The town was
incorporated on February 9, 1734 (or 1733 in some accounts), as Rumford,
named after Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. In 1741, jurisdiction
shifted to the Province of New Hampshire, sparking a prolonged and
bitter boundary dispute with the neighboring town of Bow. This
litigation escalated to an appeal in England and wasn't resolved until
1762. To symbolize the newfound harmony, Governor Benning Wentworth
reincorporated the town in 1765 as Concord—meaning "peaceful
settlement." Some displaced citizens received compensatory land grants,
including New Pennacook Plantation in 1779, which later became Rumford,
Maine, in 1800.
During the Revolutionary War era, Concord played a
supportive role. In June 1776, local leaders, including Colonel Timothy
Walker, sent a declaration to New Hampshire's Continental Congress
delegates affirming solidarity with the colonies against Great Britain.
Post-Revolution, the town's central location boosted its prominence,
with early 18th-century houses still surviving at the northern end of
Main Street.
Becoming the State Capital and 19th-Century Growth
Following independence, Concord's strategic position made it a prime
candidate for New Hampshire's capital, which had rotated since 1775. In
1808, the legislature officially designated it as the seat of
government. Construction on the New Hampshire State House began in 1816
and was completed in 1819; it remains the oldest U.S. state capitol
where the legislature convenes in its original chambers. In 1823,
Concord became the seat of Merrimack County, with a courthouse built in
1857 on the site of the Old Town House.
The 19th century marked
industrial expansion. In 1807, Samuel Blodget's canal and lock system
around Amoskeag Falls connected Concord to Boston via the Middlesex
Canal, facilitating trade. Key industries included furniture-making,
printing, and granite quarrying—Concord granite was used in the State
House and the Library of Congress. In 1828, Lewis Downing and J.
Stephens Abbot founded Abbot-Downing Company, producing the iconic
Concord coach, which symbolized the city's manufacturing prowess and
aided westward expansion in the U.S. Railroads transformed Concord into
a hub, while Penacook (a northern village) became a textile center
powered by the Contoocook River.
Healthcare also emerged as a pillar.
The New Hampshire State Hospital, one of the first U.S. psychiatric
facilities, opened in 1842 and expanded significantly. In 1891, Margaret
Pillsbury General Hospital (now Concord Hospital) became the state's
first general hospital. Notable figures from this era include Franklin
Pierce, the 14th U.S. President (1853–1857), who practiced law in
Concord and is buried in the Old North Cemetery.
20th Century and
Modern Developments
The early 20th century saw declines in railroads
and textiles, shifting focus to politics, bolstered by New Hampshire's
first-in-the-nation presidential primary, drawing candidates and media.
Concord evolved into a center for law, healthcare, and insurance.
Educational institutions like the University of New Hampshire School of
Law, St. Paul's School, and NHTI (Concord's Community College)
solidified its role. The state government remains the largest employer,
followed by Concord Hospital.
A space industry identity emerged with
the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, opened in 1990 as the Christa
McAuliffe Planetarium to honor Concord teacher Christa McAuliffe, who
perished in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. It was renamed
in 2009 to also commemorate Alan Shepard, the first American in space
(from nearby Derry).
In recent decades, infrastructure improvements
have modernized the city. Passenger rail service from Boston ended in
1981, but highways like Interstates 89 and 93, along with Concord
Municipal Airport, support connectivity. The Complete Streets
Improvement Project (2015–2016) revitalized downtown Main Street,
widening sidewalks, adding pedestrian and bike features, improving
accessibility, enhancing lighting, incorporating art, and reducing
driving lanes from four to two with a stone-paved median. This project
earned awards from groups like the American Public Works Association and
earned recognition for promoting sustainability and community gathering.
As of the 2020 census, Concord's population is 43,976, maintaining its
status as New Hampshire's capital and a hub for politics, education, and
innovation.
Concord, the capital city of New Hampshire, is situated in the south-central part of the state at coordinates 43°12′24″N 71°32′17″W. It lies approximately 38 miles north of the Massachusetts border, 40 miles west of the Maine border, 54 miles east of the Vermont border, and 170 miles south of the Canadian border at Pittsburg. The city is 16 miles north of Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city, and 66 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. Concord spans a total area of 67.2 square miles, including 64.0 square miles of land and 3.2 square miles of water (about 4.81% of its area). The entire city falls within the Merrimack River watershed, with the river serving as its central feature, flowing from northwest to southeast.
The city's topography is varied, featuring a mix of river valleys, hills, and plains. Downtown Concord is built on a low terrace west of the Merrimack River, with residential neighborhoods rising up hills to the west and extending south toward the town of Bow. East of the river, a 100-foot bluff gives way to the flat, sandy plain of Concord Heights, which has become the hub for much of the city's commercial development since the 1960s. The city's elevation averages 272 feet (83 meters) above sea level, with the highest point reaching 860 feet (260 meters) on Oak Hill, located just west of the 970-foot summit in the neighboring town of Loudon. Concord encompasses its downtown area (including the North End and South End neighborhoods) and four distinct villages: Penacook in the north along the Contoocook River, Concord Heights in the east, East Concord, and West Concord.
Water plays a significant role in Concord's geography, with the Merrimack River dominating the landscape as it winds through the city. The river's broad floodplain provides fertile soil historically used for farming. The eastern city boundary is defined by the Soucook River, a tributary of the Merrimack that separates Concord from Pembroke. In the southwest, the Turkey River flows through areas like the St. Paul's School campus before joining the Merrimack in Bow. The northern village of Penacook is situated where the Contoocook River meets the Merrimack. Penacook Lake, the largest body of water in the city, serves as its primary water source and is located in the western part. These rivers and lakes not only shape the terrain but also historically supported Native American settlements, with the Pennacook tribe fishing for salmon, sturgeon, and alewives in the Merrimack's rapids.
Geologically, Concord's landscape is shaped by glacial activity and river erosion from the last Ice Age, resulting in the sandy plains, river valleys, and scattered hills typical of New England's terrain. The Merrimack River's steep bends, which give the area its Native American name "Penacook" (meaning "bend in the river" in Abenaki), reflect ancient fluvial processes. The region's floodplain soils, rich in nutrients, supported early agriculture by indigenous peoples, including beans, gourds, pumpkins, melons, and maize. Today, these features influence urban development, with floodplains limiting certain constructions and hills providing scenic overlooks.
Concord is bordered by several municipalities: Canterbury to the north, Loudon to the northeast, Pembroke to the southeast, Bow to the south, Hopkinton to the west, Webster to the northwest, and Boscawen to the north-northwest. This positioning places it in a transitional zone between the more urbanized southern New Hampshire and the rural, forested north. Nearby natural areas include state parks and forests, contributing to the region's outdoor recreation opportunities, though the city itself is more developed.
Concord experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb),
characterized by long, cold, snowy winters; warm, sometimes humid
summers; and brief springs and autumns. Winters bring moderate to heavy
snowfall from successive storms, with an average annual snowfall of 67.7
inches. Low temperatures drop below 0°F (-18°C) on about 15 nights per
year, and thaws occur 1-3 days per month from December to February.
Summers feature occasional thunderstorms and humid stretches, with an
average of 12 days reaching 90°F (32°C) or higher annually. Freezing
temperatures typically span from September 27 to May 14.
Monthly
average temperatures range from 20.6°F (-6.3°C) in January to 70.0°F
(21.1°C) in July. Extreme records include a high of 102°F (39°C) in July
1966 and a low of -37°F (-38°C) in February 1943. Annual precipitation
averages 41.95 inches, distributed fairly evenly, with slightly higher
amounts in October (4.43 inches). Snow depth peaks in February at an
average extreme of 15.3 inches. Relative humidity averages 69.8% yearly,
with higher values in late summer. Sunshine hours total about 2,519
annually, or 56% of possible sunshine.
According to the 2010 census, 42,695 people lived in the city, there
were 17,592 households and 10,052 families.
The racial
composition of the population:
White - 90.7%
African Americans -
2.2%
Asians - 3.4%
Hispanics - 2.1%
The average annual per
capita income is $29,296 (one of the highest among state capitals). The
average age of citizens is 39.4 years. The crime rate is below the US
average but above the state average.
Like most state capitals, Concord's economy is based on the
government, healthcare and education sectors. The city's largest
employer is the government of the state of New Hampshire (about 6.5
thousand jobs).
In the private sector, the leading positions are
occupied by insurance and retail trade. Concord Litho is one of the
largest independent publishers in the United States. There are also
small enterprises for woodworking and processing of agricultural
products. Tourism plays an important role in the city's economy.
The nearest airport (about 40 kilometers south) to Concord with
regular passenger traffic is Manchester-Boston (IATA: MHT, ICAO: KMHT)
with a passenger turnover of 2.8 million people per year (2010). The
airport has flights to most major US cities except the West Coast. The
main destinations are Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, Orlando and
Detroit.
Major roads through the city: Interstates I-89 and I-93,
US 3 and US 4.
Public transport is provided by 3 bus routes
operated by the Concord Area Transit organization (from Monday to
Friday, from 06:00 to 18:30).
Concord is governed through a mayor-council system of city government. The city council consists of 14 members, 10 of whom are elected from districts with 1 elected deputy. The mayor is elected every 2 years.