Bill > HB1664

This bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to remove the Hannah Duston Memorial in Boscawen, a monument commemorating a colonial-era woman known for killing Native Americans during a conflict. The bill's extensive findings section provides historical context, highlighting the problematic nature of the memorial, which celebrates an act of violence against Native Americans during a period of forced assimilation and genocide. The legislation acknowledges New Hampshire's rich Native American history and the devastating impacts of colonial and government policies on indigenous populations. The bill gives the department two options: completely remove and destroy the memorial and its associated historic marker, or store it for potential future display, with the stipulation that any future display must provide an accurate and objective historical interpretation that respects all participants. The bill emphasizes that the current memorial misrepresents historical events and causes ongoing harm to Native American communities by glorifying violence and scalp bounty practices. No specific funding is provided for the memorial's removal, though the department estimates potential costs ranging from $30,000 to $200,000 depending on the removal method. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2189&inflect=2