Hannah Duston Memorial State Historic Site

Hannah Duston Memorial State Historic Site is a memorial location in Boscawen featuring a 35-foot tall granite monument standing on a small island where two rivers meet. The site also includes walking trails along the riverbank and informational signs that explain the historical events tied to this place.

The memorial was built in 1874 and became New Hampshire's first publicly funded statue, honoring Hannah Duston. She gained recognition after escaping captivity by Native Americans during King William's War in 1697.

The memorial represents the complicated relationships between European settlers and Native Americans during New England's colonial period. It raises questions about how different groups remember this era and which stories get told in public places.

The site can be accessed from US Route 4 and sits in a river area that is reachable year-round. The paths may have different conditions depending on the season, so care is needed when walking the grounds.

The location marks the exact island spot where Hannah Duston and two other captives carried out their escape in 1697. This makes it a rare case where the memorial stands directly at the site of a historical event.

Location: New Hampshire

Website: https://nhstateparks.org/visit/historic-sites/hannah-duston-memorial-historic-site

GPS coordinates: 43.28890,-71.59060

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:09