It is inexcusable, but yesterday was the first time I got around to visiting historic 'White Park', in 'Concord', New Hampshire -- having lived in New Hampshire for over 40 years.
I driven past it hundreds of time but never thought it was worth a visit. Boy, was I wrong. Wow.
As soon as I read the sign, erected in 1984, I saw the link -- given my appreciation of Acadia's history.
'Charles Eliot' designed White Park.
Charles Eliot was the eldest son of Charles William Eliot. The younger Eliot was one of the earliest scientists/conservationists to visit 'Mount Desert Island' (MDI). He also urged his father to become a MDI rusticator. The father took his son's advice. The father becoming a rusticator was what led to Acadia being created.
The younger Eliot, as a landscape architect in Boston (in the 1880s) instigated the creation of the pivotal The Trustees of Reservations conservation effort in Massachusetts.
Eliot died in March 1897, aged 37, from spinal meningitis [leaving behind a wife and four daughters].
Four years after his death, his father started reading through some of his son’s writings. That is when he got the notion to recreate the equivalent of his son’s ‘Trustees’ in MDI to conserve land deemed to be ‘worthy’.
So, that is the link.
I found it to be real COOL. I wonder how many visiting the Park appreciate that.
😇
Comments
Post a Comment