First Cow Hampshire (2006) blog photograph of an elm tree that grew next to my grandparents’ house.
On March 22, 2006, two decades ago, a small but mighty corner of the internet sprouted in New Hampshire soil—equal parts granite dust, genealogy notes, and the faint smell of molasses cookies cooling on a colonial hearth.
Today, Cow Hampshire stands as a living archive of the state’s quirks, characters, and quietly extraordinary history. It’s only fitting to mark its 20th anniversary with a story worthy of the blog’s own blend of wit, reverence, and delight.
A Blog Born of Curiosity (and Possibly a Cow With Opinions)
Legend has it that the blog began when a particularly opinionated cow wandered across the New Hampshire border, looked around, and declared, “Someone should really write this stuff down.” Whether or not that’s true, the composer of Cow Hampshire has spent twenty years chronicling the state’s hidden histories, forgotten faces, and the everyday magic tucked between its mountains and mill towns.
From the start, it wasn’t just a blog—it was a time machine, a detective agency, a genealogist’s dream, and occasionally a comedy club.
Women’s History: The Granite State’s Unsung Heroines
One of the blog’s brightest through-lines is its devotion to women’s history. Not the “famous five” you find in textbooks, but the lesser-known artists, nurses, inventors, educators, business owners, researchers, and eccentrics who shaped New Hampshire in ways both subtle and seismic.
These stories remind readers that history isn’t just battles and ballots—it’s the people who kept the fires lit, the communities running, and the traditions alive.
The Forgotten of World War I: Faces Lost, Stories Found
Among the blog’s most poignant contributions is its work on the “Lost Faces of WWI,” a project that resurrects the stories of New Hampshire soldiers whose names have faded from public memory.
Through meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, these posts give voice to young men AND women who marched off to a war that promised glory but delivered grief. Their stories—once nearly erased—now stand preserved in digital granite.
Oddballs, Originals, and Other New Hampshire Characters
If New Hampshire had a talent show, Cow Hampshire would be the judge who knows every contestant’s great‑grandmother’s maiden name.
The blog delights in spotlighting:
- Artists who painted the White Mountains before Instagram made it cool
- Inventors whose creations ranged from brilliant to “well, that’s… something”
- Local legends, from haunted mill workers to eccentric hermits
- Everyday folks whose lives were anything but ordinary
These profiles celebrate the state’s most interesting export: its people.
History, Holidays, and the Occasional Haunted Barn
Over the years, Cow Hampshire has delved into a fascinating array of topics that paint a rich, textured portrait of the state and its people, including:
- Unusual boulders and rocks that tell geological and cultural stories
- The unique New Hampshire accent and local slang that color everyday conversation
- Crazy weather events that have tested the resilience of Granite Staters
- Civil War casualty lists, aviation pioneers, missing places, and the state’s ever‑changing natural world
It’s a kaleidoscope of New Hampshire life—past, present, and occasionally paranormal.
A Toast to Twenty Years
Twenty years of Cow Hampshire means:
- Thousands of human or nature stories rescued from obscurity
- Countless readers discovering their roots
- A digital museum built with care, curiosity, and a wicked sense of humor
- A community that knows history is best served with heart, wit, and maybe a slice of authentic (slightly intimidating) mince pie
- The support of every reader — you included, who enjoys learning from the past.
What Story Should We Celebrate Next?
Anniversaries are perfect moments to look forward as much as back. Is there a particular corner of New Hampshire lore you’d love to see woven into the next chapter of Cow Hampshire?
