State Showdown: The Big E Highlights Ownership and Pride
The state buildings at The Big E, located on the Avenue of States, are owned by each respective New England state. The idea behind the state buildings was to unite the agricultural and industrial parts of the exposition and showcase the unique products and attractions of each state. The Avenue of States was originally intended to include states outside of New England, but only the six New England states have their buildings. Each building is a replica of the state's original State House and sits on land owned by the state. The cost of each building varies, with the Rhode Island building being the most expensive at $150,000. Visitors to the New Hampshire building can enjoy the perk of not paying sales tax on purchases, as there is no general sales tax in the state.