THE WHITE MOUNTAINS: FORCES THAT HAVE SHAPED THEIR HISTORY

The White Mountains are in your backyard, and it is said that nearly six million people visit them each year.  From when they were first put on a map in 1561 to the present time they have attracted many visitors.  In 1642 an Irish immigrant named Darby Field became the first person to climb Mt. Washington, a peak now visited by nearly 250,000 people every summer via car, train, and foot.  In the early 19th century the area farms were the overnight inns for visitors.  At the end of that century Grand Hotels welcomed the guests for lengthy vacations throughout the area.  Today there are fewer hotel rooms there than at the end of the 19th century.  During this six week course we will examine many of the people, institutions and social forces that have shaped this region of New Hampshire.  If you have previously visited the area this course will hopefully enhance your knowledge of the region.  If you have not yet been able to go up there, this course will hopefully make you want to take a trip there.  In addition to the assigned readings, participants will be asked if there are any topics that are of special interest to them.  

Class is limited to 20 members.

JOHN MUDGE first visited the White Mountains in 1953.  He received his B.A. from Amherst College and his M.B.A. from the University of New Hampshire after which he worked in accounting and banking for ten years.  Today he writes and does some financial consulting from his home in Etna.  He has authored, edited, or published eight books about the White Mountains.  He frequently gives talks about the White Mountains for the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Mt. Washington Observatory, and other groups.