CONCORD, NH – New Hampshire’s Hall of Flags displays 115 historic, war-time flags, including 88 Civil War flags, but those historical treasures are slowly degrading. To raise critical funds to pay for restoration and preservation of the Hall of Flags, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) is launching a brand new commemorative liquor bottle series this week. The ceramic, commemorative bottles, which are filled with premium vodka, feature a New Hampshire camping-themed bottle, and a newly-designed Old Man of the Mountain bottle. Liquor Commission officials expect sales of these new commemorative bottles to generate $70,000 to support flag preservation.
Camping-themed bottles are available at select NH Liquor & Wine Outlets now. The new Old Man of the Mountain bottle will be available in stores beginning this fall. Both bottles will cost $29.99 each and NHLC will have a total of 14,400 bottles available for sale statewide. In 2013, NHLC designed and sold an Old Man of the Mountain commemorative bottle, raising more than $88,000 to support Hall of Flags preservation. Visit www.liquorandwineoutlets.com for more details.
Displaying a total of 115 flags from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, the New Hampshire Hall of Flags greets visitors as they enter New Hampshire’s historic Statehouse. The Hall of Flags is visited by more than 30,000 school children each year and about 100 people each day during peak tourism periods. Many of the flags have been displayed in the same large, oak cases since 1899. While the oak cases are well-maintained, they are not air-tight, and with flags made from mostly silk and cotton—with some actually containing gold leaf, as well as lead-based paint—the flags have gradually deteriorated over time. Officials estimate it will cost more than $1 million, perhaps significantly more, to properly preserve the flags.
“With 115 war time flags on public display, New Hampshire’s Hall of Flags captures a major piece of our state’s rich and storied history, and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission is proud to be able to help generate funding to preserve and restore these treasures,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “For NHLC’s 11 million annual customers, this is an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind New Hampshire memento, while contributing to a meaningful effort to preserve the Granite State’s history.”
State Senator David Watters was the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 155 in 2013, which called on NHLC to produce commemorative liquor bottles with proceeds benefiting flags’ preservation. Other sponsors included Senator David Boutin, current Representatives David Hess and Janet Wall, and former Representative Terie Norelli. Senator Watters purchased a commemorative bottle yesterday at the NH Liquor & Wine Outlet on Storrs Street in Concord.
“New Hampshire’s Battle Flags led the way in the fight for freedom and equality in the Civil War,” Senator Watters said. “With patriotic pride, these New Hampshire commemorative bottle sales will ensure future generations will see the flags. Let’s raise a glass to thank the New Hampshire Liquor Commission for producing these beautiful bottles.”
Following battle, New Hampshire soldiers returned a U.S. flag, state flag, and a regiment flag to the state capital, where they have been displayed ever since. Some Civil War flags in the Hall are bloodstained and battle scarred. The Fifth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, whose flag is on display at the Hall, holds the distinction of having sustained the most combat losses of any infantry or cavalry regiment in the Union Army during the Civil War.
Along with military flags and portraits of Civil War heroes, the Hall of Flags also houses a case dedicated to New Hampshire astronaut Alan Shepard.
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