About
The award winning publication, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, by Kim Varney Chandler
THE BOOK
Covered Bridges of New Hampshire
Covered Bridges of New Hampshire is a captivating and richly illustrated tribute to the remaining covered bridges in the Granite State. This 288-page, full-color softcover volume features author Kim Varney Chandler’s contemporary photography of all sixty-one surviving bridges, thoughtfully paired with historical images in a compelling then-and-now format.
To compile this comprehensive history, Chandler collaborated with bridgewrights, timber framers, engineers, historical societies, town officials, libraries, and national organizations—as well as countless passionate community members. The result is a meticulously researched and thoroughly fact-checked collection of bridge histories.
Endorsed by the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, the book has been praised as both a vital reference and a heartfelt homage. “This book is a must-have reference guide and historical resource for everyone who appreciates covered bridges,” says co-Vice President Scott Wagner. President Bill Caswell adds, “Kim has thoroughly researched each bridge and provided documentation to support—and sometimes correct—the stories found in other books and periodicals.”
Once, New Hampshire was home to more than 400 covered bridges. Built long before the age of automobiles, many could not withstand modern traffic and were replaced by steel or concrete. Others were lost to flooding, neglect, decay, or vandalism.
But by the mid-20th century, a preservation movement emerged—one that embraced both the value of these structures and the craftsmanship required to maintain them. Today, more than sixty authentic covered bridges remain in New Hampshire, with forty-six standing for over a century. Their survival is thanks to a dedicated, passionate community that recognized their historical significance and worked to preserve them.
Each bridge has its own story. Some have endured quietly for generations; others have risen from destruction, rebuilt with care and tradition. These covered bridges are more than just scenic landmarks—they’re enduring symbols, linking past to present, here to there.
These are their stories.
THE AUTHOR
Kim Varney Chandler
Award-winning author Kim Varney Chandler is a researcher, photographer, amateur genealogist, bird watcher, and dog lover. A two-time graduate of the University of New Hampshire (’91, ’96G), Kim balances her passion for history with her work as a high school counselor and an enthusiastic commitment to community service.
A lifelong Granite Stater—with the exception of two brief stints below the Mason-Dixon—Kim now resides in Hancock with her husband, Marshell, and their beloved hiking therapy dog, Pemi.
Kim has received widespread recognition for her book, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, including feature segments on New Hampshire Chronicle (WMUR-TV) and Chronicle (WCVB Channel 5). The book was honored by the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance for its contributions to education, documentation, and advocacy. The companion podcast earned second place
in the New Hampshire Press Association Awards, and the book also received honorable mention from the Foreword Indies and was named Book of the Week by the New Hampshire State Library.
In 2024, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire won the Independent Publishers of New England award for Informational Nonfiction.
Kim is an active member of New Hampshire Humanities To Go, traveling across the state to deliver engaging programs on the history of New Hampshire’s covered bridges. She is also a life member of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges and holds memberships with the New Hampshire Historical Society, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, the Historical Society of Cheshire County, and the Hancock Historical Society.
THE VIDEO
Book Trailer
THE MEDIA
Covered Bridges of New Hampshire in the News
