New Hampshire Governor's Mansion facts for kids
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H. Styles Bridges House
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 21 Mountain Rd., Concord, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Built | ca. 1835 |
| Architect | Graham, Charles |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001444 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 2005 |
The New Hampshire Governor's Mansion, often called "Bridges House", is the official home for the governor of New Hampshire and their family. This historic house is located at 21 Mountain Road in Concord, which is the capital city of New Hampshire. Bridges House has been the governor's official residence since 1969. It was built around 1836 and is recognized for its historical importance. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in December 2005. It was also listed on the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in July 2005.
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About Bridges House
The New Hampshire Governor's Mansion is in a quiet, green area. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of downtown Concord. The house sits on 11 acres (4.5 ha) of land. From here, you can see parts of Concord, Rattlesnake Hill, and the Merrimack River valley.
What the House Looks Like
The house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It has a roof that slopes down on the sides and chimneys at each end. The front of the house faces south and has five sections. The main door is in the middle. It has windows on either side and a decorative top part. The windows are rectangular with stone sills. The side of the house facing the street has a triangular brick section at the top.
History of the Mansion
Charles Graham built this house around 1836. It is one of the earliest examples in New Hampshire of the Greek Revival architecture style made with brick. Brick was just starting to become a popular building material for homes in central New Hampshire back then.
Styles Bridges was a very important person in New Hampshire. He served as the governor from 1935 to 1937. After that, he was a U.S. senator for 25 years. Senator Bridges lived in this house from 1946 until he passed away. When his wife, Doloris Bridges, passed away, she left the house to the state. In 1969, it officially became the governor's residence.
Changes Over Time
In the 1980s, New Hampshire's First Lady, Nancy Sununu, led the first big updates to the mansion. These renovations helped keep the historic home in good condition.
Who Lives There?
Even though it's the official residence, not all governors choose to live in the mansion during their time in office. For example, John Lynch, who lived in nearby Hopkinton, did not move into the mansion. Also, Maggie Hassan, who lived in Exeter, stayed at the Phillips Exeter Academy campus. Her husband, Thomas Hassan, was the principal there.
More to Explore
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 67: Bridges House-Governor's Residence
