April 23, 2004
Visiting the Statehouse...
Today was the Antrim Elementary School fourth grade trip to the New Hampshire Statehouse. I initially volunteered to chaperone...joined later by my beautiful wife (since no other parent had yet signed up for it).
The first picture is a plaque which shows something unique about the Statehouse -- it is the oldest one where the legislature meets in its original chambers. I have always found it to be an inspiring building -- especially because of it's gold dome. We frequently travel to Concord for shopping, and I continue to have the same feelings when I glance at the dome while traveling north on 93.
On the way into the Statehouse is a statue to honor one of New Hampshire's favorite sons, Daniel Webster. I'm assuming that other states don't cover him in their primary schools as well as New Hampshire's do. He was a famous statesman and orator...and the inspiration of Stephen Vincent Benét's "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (where Mr. Webster's speaking skills free a guy who sold his soul to the Devil).
(As an aside, remembering this story inspired me to visit Ebay and I found a 1937 copy of the book and got it for $8 plus shipping.)
I won't bore you with all the specifics of our visit (not that the visit was boring)...but I'll share one last photo...of the front of the chambers used by the Legislature. Thanks to our constitution legislators only earn $200 ever two years...
If you click on the pictures you'll get a larger version...
Posted by alan at April 23, 2004 9:34 PM