Cornish-Windsor Bridge
No. 20
Built in 1866 by James F. Tasker and Bela J. Fletcher for $9,000, the Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge crosses the Connecticut River between Cornish, New Hampshire, and Windsor, Vermont. The bridge was framed in a nearby meadow and reassembled over the river. Tasker and Fletcher used a modified version of the Town lattice truss, using square timbers instead of planks to form the lattice, and they notched and bolted the lattice members together instead of using traditional trunnels.
The bridge underwent a major renovation in 1954. After decades of use and deterioration, it was closed to traffic in July 1987 for an extensive rehabilitation. Engineers developed a plan that preserved the original Town lattice system while strengthening areas of high stress with glued-laminated timber chords and floor beams. The $4.45 million project was completed in 1989, and the bridge reopened on December 8.
At 460 feet, it is the longest wooden bridge in the United States and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. The bridge is maintained by the State of New Hampshire.
Cornish-Windsor Bridge Video
Cornish-Windsor Bridge Podcast Episode
The Covered Bridges of Cornish with David Kruidenier
Kim speaks with David Kruidenier, President of the Cornish Historical Society. David shares what makes Cornish one of New Hampshire’s most historically significant towns and explains how its four covered bridges, historic architecture, and deep sense of place reflect the community’s rich heritage and ongoing commitment to preservation.
James F. Tasker Article
Cornish-Windsor Bridge Photo Album
