The original golden eagle stood on top of the New Hampshire Statehouse for 138 years. It was made by Leonard Morse around 1818 in Boston, MA. It is the only example of his work known to still exist.

He carved it out of butternut. The wings and the head were hinged on with wooden pegs. Over time eight coats of gold leaf were applied to its outside. It stood on a gilded ball 115 feet off the ground.

It was the state's first example of public art, and when it was pulled up to the top of the statehouse there were toasts and cheering from the citizens below. We were a new country and everyone was proud.

In 1957 the original eagle (facing left--a symbol of war) was replaced by a peace eagle facing right. The Old wooden eagle was given to the N H Historical Society and it sits in the main lobby of the Tuck Library on Park Street in Concord.