A representation of the Granite State sits hundreds of miles away on the National Mall: a TV livestreaming the peak of Mount Washington, maple syrup party favors, a replica of the 1776 New Hampshire state constitution.
New Hampshire’s display at the Great American State Fair blows the rest of New England out of the water, but that’s only because there’s no competition. New Hampshire is the only state in the region that sent an exhibit.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase the best of New Hampshire to the rest of the country,” said Secretary of State David Scanlan said. “There are a lot of tourists that go through Washington, D.C. around the 4th of July.”
Organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership launched by the Trump administration, the Great American State Fair brings the trappings of annual expositions to the nation’s capital, with attractions, performances and exhibits dotting the stretch between the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument.
All 50 states have booths at the fair, but at least 11 states declined to send delegations to staff them, according to reporting in the New York Times.
While New Hampshire’s leadership elected to take advantage of the summer publicity and join in the patriotism, the rest of New England cited scheduling, staffing and financial demands that prevented their attendance. Estimates place the cost of staffing and stocking a booth at around $100,000.
As members of the original 13 colonies, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are focusing their energy on their own semiquincentennial festivities. Maine pointed to the demand of its peak tourism season. While speaking to an NPR member station in Boston, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey called the cost of attending the fair “just ridiculous.”
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont also alluded to resource limitations. Lamont turned down a six-figure donation from residents who wanted their state to be represented, saying the funds arrived too late. He also cited the event’s politicization as a deterrent.
“That’s their decision, not mine,” Scanlan said of New Hampshire’s neighbors’ decision to sit the fair out.
The New Hampshire pavilion features displays from various divisions, like the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ exhibit on the Pine Tree Riot and the Raid on Fort William and Mary. The Secretary of State’s booth emphasizes New Hampshire’s historical and ongoing significance in the democratic process, starting with its January 1776 state constitution.
“Not only were we first in the nation then, but we continue to be first in the nation for the presidential primary,” said Ashley Miller, New Hampshire’s state archivist. “We have this exceptionally long tradition — 250 years — of representative government in New Hampshire. Government for the people, by the people, of the people demonstrated right here in our small state.”
Visitors can pose with a Mount Washington summit sign, sample maple syrup or watch a video of current and former New Hampshire politicians (and filmmaker Ken Burns) reading the Declaration of Independence aloud.
“The main focus is showing our revolutionary spirit,” Miller said.
Scanlan said the feedback has been positive — the booth looks good and has attracted decent traffic.
One woman passing through the visitor center at the State House expressed disappointment that New Hampshire sent a display to Washington. A retired schoolteacher, she thought that New England should present a united front.
But Scanlan maintains that New Hampshire belongs on the National Mall.
“It’s occurring on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” he said. “It’s a big deal, and it’s worth celebrating. Those celebrations should take place regardless of political issues that may be out there. We’re still one country, and all of the citizens of this country should share in that celebration.”
The Great American State Fair runs from June 25 to July 10.
