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On November 8, 2023, the City of Dover, New Hampshire unveiled a pair of commemorative markers honoring the heroes in a half shell, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles manhole cover designed by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman. Ninja Turtles fans converged on Union Street for the unveiling of the TMNT commemorative sewer manhole cover marking the birthplace of the comic 40 years ago in November 1983. TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman spoke about how he and Peter Laird started their turtle odyssey at the since-demolished house at 28 Union St. The state of New Hampshire also unveiled its historical highway marker at Union Street and Central Avenue that details the TMNT were first born above these sewers.
The tribute was crowdfunded by Dover resident James Lane, who lived nearby where Mirage Studios was and often thought there should be a historical marker there, but the house was gone. While on a walk, he looked down and there was a manhole cover and instantly thought there should be a commemorative site. Lane proposed the idea years ago to the city's Arts Commission that the Turtles are "a part of Dover's hidden history that needs to be told." The unveiling was timed to coincide with the citywide celebration of Dover's 400th anniversary.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Receives
Commemorative Sewer Manhole Cover
The commemorative sign reads: "In November 1983, while living in Dover, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird created a cast of ninja-weapon-wielding turtles during a late-night drawing session. Amused by the absurdity of the idea, the duo developed the story of four teenage brothers — Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. The one-shot comic, published independently by Mirage Studios on Union Street, debuted in 1984. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soon became a full comic series and ultimately an international multimedia franchise."
Geekpin Entertainment