FEBRUARY 15, 2025 — New Hampshire lawmakers are once again considering changing the state’s flag, with two bills introduced this session that propose different approaches, Seacoastonline.com reports.
One bill would establish a commission to study the flag’s history and design, while another would replace it with a new design featuring the Old Man of the Mountain.
Rep. Thomas Cormen (D-Lebanon) argued that the current flag, adopted in 1909, fails to stand out. “We like to think of New Hampshire as unique,” he said at a hearing on February 12. “But our flag is anything but.”
The flag features the state seal on a blue background, a design shared by over 20 other states. Critics say it is indistinct, overly detailed, and does not follow principles of good flag design.
A 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association ranked New Hampshire’s flag as the 10th worst in the country. Since then, some lower-ranked flags, such as Georgia and Minnesota’s, have been redesigned. Cormen emphasized that New Hampshire’s flag violates several key vexillological principles, including simplicity and distinctiveness.
“Take a typical eight-year-old and ask them to draw this and imagine what you’re going to get,” he said.
One alternative design has been proposed by 13-year-old Andrew Flockton of Milford. His flag design, supported by HB 176, would feature the Old Man of the Mountain in black on a half-white, half-blue background, with nine stars and the state motto, “Live Free or Die,” in gold.
Flockton, who has received support for his design from members of the North American Vexillological Association, said, “I think that the design I’m proposing would be a unique symbol of New Hampshire… It brings people together in these times of dispute.”
HB 210, sponsored by Cormen, would not set a new flag design but instead create a commission to study vexillological principles and evaluate whether a redesign is necessary. “This is the process to go through,” he said. “To actually have a commission with informed people on it to decide what we might want to do with our non-unique state flag.” The commission would include state lawmakers, members of the New Hampshire Historical Society, and a representative from the New England Vexillological Association.
It remains uncertain whether either bill will pass. At least eight prior attempts to modify the flag have failed since 1989. However, Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D-Hillsborough) encouraged lawmakers to take action.
“For such a unique state, you think we’d want a distinct flag that shows our character, respects our traditions,” he said. “I think that Mr. Flockton has put together a very well-designed flag that shows what could come if we opened up a commission.”
Image: change.org
