New Hampshire State Survey Committee

MC 131

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About the New Hampshire State Survey Committee:

The genesis for the formation of the New Hampshire State Survey Committee was an article by Concord businessman W. S. Rossiter in the July 1923 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. Rossiter wrote of his concern for New Hampshire’s lack of growth, development, and general progress and called for a plan of action to revitalize the state. Major Frank Knox, president and editor of the Manchester Union and Leader, responded by publishing excerpts of the article in his newspaper and by arranging a meeting in late July with a small group of businessmen and state leaders. This meeting eventually led to the establishment of a committee headed by University of New Hampshire President Ralph D. Hetzel.

The committee, comprised of leaders in business, education, government, and industry, assigned itself the task of: 1) surveying and cataloging the resources of New Hampshire; 2) establishing a program to achieve maximum statewide development; and 3) realizing this goal by garnering active participation in the program by residents and other interests in the state, and by attracting persons and resources from outside the state. Through the establishment of several subcommittees, membership quickly mushroomed, but progress toward the survey was minimal or nonexistent. Finally, in December of 1925, President Hetzel, general chairman, recommended that any data collected by the group be turned over to the New Hampshire Council, an organization appointed by the governor, and further, that the committee be dissolved, its stated purposes unfulfilled.

About the New Hampshire State Survey Committee Papers:

The New Hampshire State Survey Committee Collection contains correspondence, statements of organization and purpose, organizational rosters, meeting notes, newspaper clippings, and other papers relating to the business of the committee.