Plan NH Is Founded

Plan New Hampshire (Plan NH) is established as a nonprofit organization to bring together architects, planners, engineers, and others passionate about the built environment in New Hampshire. The organization seeks to support the current and future professionals and serve as a catalyst for thoughtful community development across the state.

Belmont, NH: The First Charrette

The Town of Belmont hosts the first Plan NH Community Design Charrette, focused on the future of the historic Belmont Mill and helping determine whether it should be demolished or reused. Spearheaded by Jeffrey Taylor, former Director of the NH Office of State Planning, this event launches what becomes Plan NH’s signature program. 

Early Charrettes Expand Across the State

Following Belmont, Plan NH facilitates charrettes in communities such as Franklin, Greenfield, Bradford, and Farmington, establishing early momentum and demonstrating the value of collaborative, volunteer-driven planning.

Growing Geographic Reach and Scope

Throughout the 2000s, additional towns and small cities engage with the charrette program. Projects span historic downtown revitalization, village center design, corridor planning, and neighborhood-scale studies. Notable communities include Bristol, Peterborough, Rochester, and Sunapee.

Toward the end of the decade, Plan NH refines its mission to “fostering excellence in planning, design, and development across the state,” a statement that reflects and reinforces the expanding scope and impact of the Community Design Charrette Program.

Second Belmont Charrette

Plan NH returns to Belmont for a second charrette — the first of several communities to invite Plan NH back for another charrette. This time, the focus expands from the Belmont Mill to comprehensive village revitalization, building on earlier successes and advancing center-wide design, connectivity, and community amenities. The charrette helps energize Belmont’s long-term revitalization strategy and contributes to infrastructure and streetscape improvements, enhanced pedestrian walkways, and strengthened public gathering spaces.

Continued Multi-Community Engagement

The charrette program continues steadily throughout the 2010s, with hundreds of volunteer professionals contributing their expertise. During this decade, the model evolves to become even more interactive and dialogue-driven, broadening participation through facilitated small-group discussions and creating meaningful space for community voices to shape outcomes. Communities including Colebrook, Hanover, Nashua, Somersworth, and Rye explore visionary planning solutions through inclusive, design-driven processes.

Program Hiatus During COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Plan NH places the Community Design Charrette Program on temporary hiatus to prioritize public health and safety. Because the charrette model is built on in-person collaboration and community engagement, no charrettes are held in 2020 — marking the first year since the program’s inception in 1996 that the schedule pauses.

A Resilient Return and New Generations of Charrettes

From 2021 through 2025, the program continues to evolve with charrettes in communities including Wolfeboro, Temple, Brentwood, Campton, Newmarket, and Manchester. These projects address a wide range of priorities — from waterfront connectivity and historic preservation to walkability, economic vitality, and public space activation.

During this period, Plan NH launches the “It Started with a Charrette” event series, highlighting how past charrettes have catalyzed long-term community transformation across New Hampshire.

30 Years of Charrettes

Plan NH formally announces the 30th anniversary of its Community Design Charrette Program, marking more than 85 charrettes in 69 communities since 1996. Throughout the year, the organization spotlights past projects, shares volunteer and community testimonials, and revisits former charrette communities — culminating in a statewide celebration honoring the people and places that have shaped this work.