Sign

Object Name:

Sign

Object ID:

2020.022

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

circa 1928

Description:

Sign. Painted pine. "STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE / FORESTRY DEPARTMENT / MERRIMACK RIVER / RESERVATION / 151 ACRES". Double-sided; hand-painted and lettered, gold on black textured surface. Irregular pentagon shape. Pine and hardwoods.

Material:

Wood

Dimensions:

H-32.6 W-37.75 D-2.25 inches

Provenance:

The roots of New Hampshire's Parks and Reservations date back to 1893 with the establishment of a State Forestry Commission by the legislature. The commission established the state forestry department in 1909 to work with public and private organizations to scientifically manage and preserve the state's forest resources for the public benefit. In 1927 the State Forestry Commission purchased 151 acres of farm and forest land in Boscawen, between the Daniel Webster Highway and the Merrimack River, called the Merrimack River Reservation. The tract was improved with the planting of trees as well as the construction of a picnic and camping area by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in 1934. Known today as the Merrimack River State Forest, it is adjacent to the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery. On July 1, 1997, The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery was established by the state legislature. 104 acres of land were taken from the state forest for the cemetery.

The sign, Lot 233, was purchased by the donor at Cowan's Auctions, September 22, 2020.

Credit Line:

Gift of William W. Upton

Subjects:

Signs, Forests, Forest reserves, Merrimack River