Visit the John Winant Statue outside the NH State Library

John Gilbert Winant was born in New York in 1889 and graduated from St. Paul’s School in 1908. Winant served in World War I, taught at St. Paul’s, and served in the NH Legislature before being elected Governor of New Hampshire in 1925. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed Winant as the first chairman of the Social Security Board. He later became director-general of the International Labor Organization.

As World War II loomed, Roosevelt appointed Winant as the American ambassador to the Court of St. James in London. Winant and Prime Minister Winston Churchill became close friends. Throughout the war, Winant frequently traveled throughout England; he is remembered here and abroad for his kindness and compassion. After the war, Winant retired to Concord to write his memoirs. He died in 1947, and is buried in St. Paul’s School cemetery off Hopkinton Road.

A life-size bronze statue of Gov. Winant stands on the front lawn of the NH State Library on Park Street in Concord. The statue was dedicated in 2017; it was commissioned by a committee led by Rep. Steve Shurtleff and the late Van McLeod, and funded through private donations.

All are welcome to stop and take a seat on the bench proffered by the Gov. Winant statue, and take a moment to honor his humility and heart.

In case you missed #7 on our “30 Ways” list…in 2009, a scenic 85-acre city park astride one of Concord’s highest hills was created in honor of Gov. Winant and his wife Constance. Winant Park was a gift to the City of Concord from Winant’s son, Rivington Winant, and his wife Joan. The transfer and conservation of the property was made possible through collaboration among the Winants, the City, St. Paul’s School, and Five Rivers Conservation Trust. Click here for more information and trail maps for Winant Park, off Fisk Road in Concord.