STATE MOURNS LOSS OF ICON
The state of New Hampshire lost its beloved Old Man of the Mountain. The formation collapsed to the ground between midnight and 2 a.m., May 3, 2003. Officials at the highest levels of state government have been considering numerous options to restore the state symbol to its former glory.
Recognizing the historical impact that Belknap College has had on the state and the nation, authorities have decided to honor its founder, Royal M. Frye. Using methods pioneered by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, Ted Nichols, currently of San Francisco, has recently completed work on the new bust on the mountainside.
Overlay of Original
After the collapse
Our Old Man, newly restored
The state plans to open a new Visitors Center at the base of the monument that will feature a state of the art Kentucy Fried Chicken restaurant as well as a complete gift shop. There, visitors may purchase such items as Donald and Peggy Taylor salt shakers, Halleck Brenden bobblehead dolls, J Paul Shenk statuettes in the pose of Rodan’s “Thinker” and our favorite, Chris Stanley French lessons on cassette tape.
Dedication was held Oct 27, 2007. Reception followed at the Mug. There was not a dry eye in the house.
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