Spanning Time is inspired by the era going back to the 1800s when the White Mountains began to occupy a special place in the history of America. Men discovered the picturesque highlands of the mountains, which formed a relatively compact geographic area and chain with the Appalachian Mountains--the glacier-worn peaks dominated by the Old Man of the Mountain, Indian Head, and Mount Washington. The covered bridge is an intrinsic part of our New England heritage. The Northeast acknowledges 192 covered bridges; 59 of these spans dot New Hampshire's granite mountains and pined forests. The state's covered bridges are representative of the various styles of crossings used in early New England. These pathways were a tribute to the great advances in bridge engineering of the day. The covered roadways also offered communities early billboard advertising. The local merchants posted signs for powders, potions, and cures. County fairs, political rallies, and church socials vied for wall space. And let us not forget the appeal of the covered bridge to young lovers. The "kissing bridge" afforded couples a quick embrace or stolen kiss in the darkness of its cover.