They Led the Way: Mt. Washington Explorers in the 1800s

On Tuesday, November 10 at 6 pm, the Moultonborough Public Library will host Peter Crane for a presentation on the 19th-century pioneers who first explored Mount Washington.

Dr. Crane serves as curator and overseer of the Mount Washington Observatory’s Gladys Brooks Memorial Library. His presentation will focus on the historic 1870–1871 winter expedition led by Dartmouth geologists Charles H. Hitchcock and Joshua H. Huntington, who organized the first scientific team to spend an entire winter atop the summit.

During this expedition, the team documented the mountain’s harsh winter weather, enduring sub-zero temperatures, heavy rime ice formations, and hurricane-force winds. Living in summit quarters, members of the party regularly stepped outside to measure wind velocity and record atmospheric observations. Their findings proved that continuous meteorological recording was possible in severe environments and paved the way for the establishment of the U.S. Signal Service weather station on the peak in 1932.

Now approaching 100 years of service to the community, the Mount Washington Observatory continues its work in the three main areas of activity for which it was founded: to maintain a rigorous program of weather observations and environmental monitoring, to perform and collaborate with others in performing basic and applied scientific research, and to participate in public education about weather, climate, and the mountain environment. 

Did you know that the Moultonborough Library offers passes to the Mount Washington Observatory, the Auto Road and the Cog Railway? These passes are valid between May and October. Find more information here about our available museum passes.

They Led the Way is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Library, as is our museum passes program.