Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, with Kim Varney Chandler

RESCHEDULED to Thursday, February 2nd, 2023, 6:30 pm

Gibson's Bookstore is pleased to host author Kim Varney Chandler for her engaging and well-illustrated history of the remaining covered bridges in the Granite State, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire. The 288-page, full color, softcover features the author’s own current day photography of all sixty-one covered bridges, paired with historical photos in a then-and-now-theme.

Author Kim Varney Chandler partnered with bridgewrights, timber framers, bridge engineers, historical societies, town offices, libraries, state and national organizations, and community members to compile extensive histories of each bridge.

The histories of the historic covered bridges of New Hampshire have been collected with exhaustive research and constant fact-checking. The new book has been endorsed by the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, with co-Vice President Scott Wagner saying, “This book is a must-have reference guide and historical resource for everyone who appreciates covered bridges” and President Bill Caswell stating, “Kim has thoroughly researched each bridge and provided documentation to support, and sometimes correct, the stories found in other books and periodicals.”

New Hampshire was once home to over 300 covered bridges. Built before the idea of an automobile was even conceived, many of these covered bridges could not handle the increased traffic and were replaced with modern steel or concrete structures. Many were neglected and eventually lost to the rot and decay of time. Many more were destroyed by the vandals’ hand.

But by the mid-twentieth century, a movement began toward not only preserving these historic structures but employing nineteenth-century craftsmanship to do so.

Today, there are over sixty authentic covered bridges in New Hampshire; forty-six of which are over a century old. These bridges exist today solely because of the efforts of a small but powerful community who both recognized their significance and honored their tradition. These covered bridges are an integral part of the fabric of New Hampshire’s history, but each bridge has its own story to tell. Some have stood sentry over their waterways without incident; others have risen like a phoenix from the ashes after a tragedy took them down.

The covered bridges serve as touchstones, providing a link from here to there and from then to now. These are their stories.

Masks are strongly encouraged but no longer required for vaccinated attendees. We can’t predict the future course of the pandemic, so Gibson’s reserves the right to institute masking and/or vaccination rules for this event as circumstances dictate.  

Sign up for the events-specific email newsletter from Gibson's Bookstore! Separate from our main store newsletter, this newsletter sends you notices when we book events, and what our upcoming events are! We promise not to sell your email address. https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1947324/1359315/

Event date: 
Thursday, February 2, 2023 - 6:30pm
Event address: 
45 South Main St
Concord, NH 03301
Covered Bridges of New Hampshire By Kim Varney Chandler Cover Image
$39.95
ISBN: 9781942155522
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Kim Varney Chandler - November 15th, 2022

Categories: