The Old Man: His Life and Legacy

Presenter: Inez McDermott

When the Old Man of the Mountain fell from his perch high above Franconia Notch, on May 3, 2003, it made international news. Many in New Hampshire and beyond responded as though mourning a beloved public figure. This program presents the "story" of the Old Man and examines the ways that public perceptions of the Profile played a role in shaping and establishing New Hampshire's identity, both symbolically and physically. We will discuss the stories of the many people who played a part in "saving" the Old Man, from the risk-taking mountaineers and engineers who kept the ledges in place for so many years, to the school children who gave their pennies to help protect the forest around him.  Participants will be encouraged to tell stories of their own encounters with this iconic symbol as we discuss why these granite ledges – the result of a "miraculous accident" according to a state geologist – have played such an outsized role in the hearts of so many. 

Join us as we celebrate 50 years of bringing the humanities to your community!

Snow date will be January 30, 2025 at 6:30pm.

Event Details

When:

Thursday, January 16, 2025 6:30pm

Where:

Meredith Public Library
91 Main Street
Meredith NH 03253

Hosted By:

Friends of the Meredith Public Library

Contact Info:

Erin Apostolos, 603-279-4303