New Hampshire Pine Tree Riot inspired Boston Tea Party, Ayotte says

NASHUA, NH – As the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence, the actions of Massachusetts colonists that contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution will once again be in the national spotlight.

But Gov. Kelly Ayotte in neighboring New Hampshire, another of the 13 colonies that seceded from the British Empire, told Fox News Digital that her state’s Pine Tree Rebellion also deserves attention, an event that may have inspired the Boston Tea Party a year and a half later.

“Before the Boston Tea Party, we had the Pine Tree Riots here in New Hampshire. That was because the British came in and tried to tax our pine trees and take them for themselves, and we’re not going to let that happen,” Ayotte said.

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The rebellion was against a long-standing British policy that prevented colonists from reserving white pine trees larger than 12 inches in diameter for the Royal Navy to use as masts on its ships. And this was important because it showed that colonists could oppose British policies.

“We were the first participants in the revolution and we are very, very proud of this nation,” the governor emphasized. “New Hampshire has a very special role in the history of this country.”

Ayotte also noted that New Hampshire “was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, so we were the state that made the decision to make sure we had the Constitution,” adding that “we were the first state in the country to draft our own Constitution.”

The Pine Tree Rebellion and New Hampshire’s first state Constitution in the nation are highlighted in the state’s exhibit at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST MYTHS ABOUT THE BOSTON TEA PARTY HAS BEEN REVEALED

An archway across the street from the 33-foot “Liberty 250” Ferris wheel during final preparations for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Al Drago for Washington Post via Getty Images)

“New Hampshire is very proud to be a part of the fair on the National Mall. In fact, at this fair, we’re showcasing the history of New Hampshire. We have a video of notable figures from both sides of our state, on both sides of the aisle, reading from the Declaration of Independence. We also talk about our history. We’re going to be handing out some great New Hampshire maple syrup,” the governor said.

“We’ll keep our visitor center open in our own Capitol. We’ll have some very special documents there,” Ayotte said back home in the Granite State.

An 1818 painting by John Trumbull depicts the Committee of Five (Adams, Livingston, Sherman, Jefferson, and Franklin) presenting a draft of the Declaration of Independence. (iStock)

These include one of the Dunlap Broadsides, the first edition of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the original 1823 William J. Stone engravings of the historic document.

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Cities and towns in New Hampshire have long taken the lead in celebrating the Fourth of July with parades, fairs, fireworks and other festivities, and this year is no different.

Ayotte, a former U.S. senator and former state attorney general who is running for re-election this year, said in an interview with Fox News Digital ahead of the holiday that he will march in four Independence Day parades on July 3 and 4.

“It’ll be great.”