Links

Check out these great covered bridge links!

National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges

Founded in 1950, the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges (NSPCB) provides national advocacy for the preservation of covered bridges and, maintains the largest repository of historical archival material related to covered bridges, past and present.

Covered Spans of Yesteryear

The Covered Spans of Yesteryear project is recording all covered bridges, past and present, in the United States and Canada.

New Hampshire Rail Trail Coalition

Almost any rail trail on the list of New Hampshire rail trails has some kind of covered bridge on or near it.  For example, the Presidential Rail Trail has the boxed pony truss bridge, the Winnipesaukee River Trail has the Sulfite or “Upside-down” covered bridge, and the Peterborough Rail Trail has the Hancock-Greenfield Covered Bridge near its northern end.   But several trails have multiple opportunities to see bridges during your ride or on the way to or from the trails. 

Trailspotting

Many covered bridges are located along or near hiking, biking and walking trails. Check out this website for detailed trail information, maps, and photos.

New Hampshire Covered Bridges List

A thorough and updated listing of every covered bridge in the state, including number, location, length, year built, truss type, and GPS coordinates, as well as a link to photos.

New Hampshire Covered Bridges: A Link With Our Past

The 1991 New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) publication outlined the state-numbered covered bridges. Compiled by Richard G. Marshall, Chief of Systems Planning, this book was the first to offer historical details on the 54 covered bridges in the state.

National Covered Bridges Recording Project: HAER

Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) has surveyed over 100 covered bridges as part of the National Covered Bridges Recording Project. The archival documentation produced for these surveys is housed at the Library of Congress in the HAER Collection.

Guidelines

Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Covered Bridges

In 2019, HAER produced the Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Covered Bridges. Edited by Christopher H. Marston, HAER Architect, and Thomas A. Vitanza, Senior Historical Architect, NPS Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC), this publication provides specific guidelines for the rehabilitation of covered bridges. Click on the link for a PDF or to order a paper copy.

Covered Bridges and the Birth of American Engineering

Covered Bridges and the Birth of American Engineering (2015), edited by HAER Historian Justine Christianson and HAER Architect Christopher H. Marston, “examines the development of wood trusses and covered bridge construction, profiles the pioneering craftsmen and engineers involved, explores the function of trusses in covered bridges, and looks at the preservation and future of these distinctly American bridges.” Click on the link for a PDF or to order a paper copy.

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