2023 Award Winner: Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, Kim Varney Chandler

For documentation, education, and advocacy

Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, published in 2022, is the only comprehensive history of covered bridges in the Granite State. It is an engaging and well-researched history of the sixty-one covered bridges that remain standing. The 288-page, full color volume features the author’s own photography paired with historical images, and the text is thoroughly researched and engaging.

To compile her extensive histories of each bridge, Kim visited historical societies, town offices, and libraries, and consulted with bridge wrights, timber framers, bridge engineers, state and national organizations, and community members.  

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

The reference section of Covered Bridges of New Hampshire includes over 500 sources, and the research is ongoing. Kim has supplemented the book with programs, blog posts, and a podcast.

New Hampshire was once home to over 300 covered bridges. Many of these were replaced with modern steel or concrete to meet the 20th century demands of motorized traffic. Others were neglected and eventually lost, and many were destroyed by vandals. Today there is a growing awareness of the value of preserving these historic structures and Kim’s book, along with her podcasts and lectures will help strengthen that movement. Each bridge has its own story to tell, and Kim tells those stories and honors the small but powerful community of people who both recognized their significance and worked to preserve and restore them.