The New Hampshire Department of Historical Resources announced that 12 properties have recently been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, including three in Hooksett and one in Allenstown.

The New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places recognizes and honors properties that are meaningful in the history, architecture, archeology, engineering or traditions of New Hampshire’s residents and communities. It is one part of the state’s efforts to encourage public and private efforts to identify and protect historically significant properties throughout New Hampshire.

“These irreplaceable resources are the physical manifestation of our state’s history and identity,” said New Hampshire’s state historic preservation officer Elizabeth Muzzey. “They create New Hampshire’s distinct identity and serve as the backbone to the state’s heritage tourism economy.”

The most recent additions to the New Hampshire State Register are:

• Head Chapel and Cemetery, Hooksett. Originally an 1839 school, the Head Chapel was remodeled in 1922 to serve as a chapel for the cemetery, which has been in use since 1800. The chapel was a model school, being not only one of the most substantial schools in the area and representative of local brick manufacturing, but also remains one of the most intact one-room schoolhouses left in the region.

• Hooksett Village Bridge, Hooksett. Known locally as the “Lilac Bridge,” this 1909 structure is one of the state’s nine surviving metal truss bridges designed by engineer John William Storrs, the only bridge design specialist in the state in the early 20th century. The three-high-span truss bridges an important crossing of the Merrimack River, first bridged after 1804 by the proprietors of the Londonderry Turnpike.

Arah W. Prescott Library, Hooksett. Prominent citizen Arah W. Prescott donated the funds to build the town library in 1909, and designed the building himself. Completed in 1910, the building and the institution it houses have contributed significantly to the education of the citizens of Hooksett.

• Allenstown Public Library, Allenstown. Erected circa 1934- 35 by Works Progress Administration workers, this Colonial Revival structure is the only building in Allenstown constructed expressly as a library. The design by Harold, Homes, Owen, Inc. has well served the community for more than 70 years.

Anyone wishing to nominate a property to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places must research the history of the nominated property and document it fully on individual inventory forms from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Having a property listed in the Register does not impose restrictions on private property owners. For more information, visit http://www.nh.gov/nhdhr

New Hampshire’s Division of Historical Resources, the “State Historic Preservation Office,” was established in 1974 in order to preserve the historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural resources of New Hampshire that are among the state’s most important environmental assets. Historic preservation promotes the use, understanding and conservation of such resources for the education, inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of New Hampshire’s citizens. For more information, visit www.nh.gov/nhdr or call 271-3483.