The New Hampshire State Capitol building, officially called the State House, sits at 107 North Main Street in Concord and is the oldest state capitol in the country where the legislature still meets in its original chambers.1Wikipedia. New Hampshire State House Built of granite between 1816 and 1819 in the Federalist style, it houses the state Senate and the 400-member House of Representatives, the largest state legislative body in the United States. The gilded dome, topped by a metal eagle that replaced the original 1818 wooden one, is the building’s most recognizable feature.2NH.gov. History of the State House
Plan Your Visit
The State House Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and closed on weekends.3New Hampshire General Court. General Court of NH Visitor Center The building has elevator access and accessible entrances for visitors with mobility needs.
Parking in downtown Concord is straightforward. On-street meters run $1.00 per hour. The downtown parking garage charges $0.50 per hour with a 10-hour limit. There are also free public lots nearby at Storrs Street, Canal Street, and McKee Square. Vehicles displaying accessibility placards or plates are exempt from meter fees, though posted time limits still apply.4City of Concord. Downtown Parking
If you’ll be there through midday, the State House Cafe in the basement serves food on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Security and Entry
The New Hampshire State Police runs a dedicated State House Security Unit for the building.5New Hampshire State Police. State House Security The capitol has historically been one of the more open and accessible in the country. After a 2025 shooting targeting a legislative leader in Minnesota, State House leaders added safety precautions, including temporarily removing legislators’ home addresses from the state website.6New Hampshire Public Radio. NH State House Leaders Take New Safety Precautions After Minnesota Shooting Entry procedures can change, so if you have questions about what to expect, call the Visitor Center or State Police ahead of your trip.
What to See Inside
Hall of Flags
The ground-floor lobby, originally called Doric Hall, displays over 100 battle flags carried by New Hampshire soldiers in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, both World Wars, and Vietnam. It was modeled after a similar display in the Massachusetts capitol and is the first thing most visitors encounter.
The Legislative Chambers
Upstairs are the Senate Chamber and the House Chamber. The House Chamber is unusually large because it has to seat all 400 representatives. The room is the oldest continuously used legislative chamber of its kind in the country; by one account, the main additions over the years have been carpet, electricity, and female representatives. Portraits of former governors line the walls, along with woodwork and painted murals depicting moments from state history. When the legislature is in session, you can watch from the galleries. Keep quiet and let the lawmakers work.
Statues and Grounds
The lawn around the State House holds a collection of bronze statues honoring notable New Hampshire figures. Daniel Webster was placed in front of the building in 1886, followed by General John Stark in 1890, John Parker Hale in 1892, and Commodore George Hamilton Perkins in 1902. Franklin Pierce, the only U.S. president from New Hampshire, was added at the front corner of the lawn in 1914. The Perkins statue is the only one on the back side of the building, facing State Street. Various plaques and memorials around the grounds also mark the state’s role in presidential politics, given its first-in-the-nation primary.
Taking a Tour
You can walk through the building on your own or arrange a guided tour through the Visitor Center, where staff can point you to the highlights and tell you if any areas are temporarily off limits because of legislative activity.3New Hampshire General Court. General Court of NH Visitor Center
School groups and civic organizations can coordinate visits through the New Hampshire Historical Society, which offers guided visits and works with groups also planning a State House stop. The Historical Society is at 30 Park Street in Concord and can be reached at 603-228-6688.7New Hampshire Historical Society. Guided Visits Book ahead for groups, especially during the school year.
Sitting In or Speaking Up
Watching a session from the gallery is one way to see the building at work. If you want to weigh in on a bill, the House of Representatives runs an online testimony portal where any member of the public can upload written testimony or type it in directly. You pick the bill, mark whether you support, oppose, or are neutral, and identify yourself as a member of the public, an elected official, a lobbyist, or another role. The deadline for online submissions is 11:59 PM on the day of the hearing. Everything you submit becomes part of the public record and is subject to disclosure under New Hampshire’s Right to Know law.8New Hampshire General Court. House of Representatives – Online Testimony Submission
Filming or Holding an Event
A regular visit doesn’t require any paperwork, but filming or holding an event on the grounds does. You submit a Special Event Application to the Department of Administrative Services at least five business days ahead. There’s no application fee. If your activity touches the public sidewalks on the east side of the arch facing Main Street or along Capitol and Park Streets, you’ll also need to coordinate with the City of Concord. Filming inside the State House requires approval from both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.9Visit NH. Filming in New Hampshire