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New England's rich history and beautiful scenery are what make it
a popular
vacation destination during the warm summer months, now and in
years past.
From the large resort hotels in the mountains, to the trendy beach
communities,
New England has long offered a variety of choices for those
looking for
a summer retreat.
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The main attraction for most vacationers has been the
scenery. The American
Antiquarian Society has a diverse collection of photographs,
lithographs,
engravings, and illustrations depicting favorite attractions that
have
changed little in the past century. Maps, books, guidebooks,
newspapers,
and journals also hold a great deal of information and images that
document
popular New England destinations. Shown here is a sheet music
cover titled
Glen House Galop, which shows the popular resort and its
surroundings.
Click to enlarge.
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New England vacation spots were visited by many and written about
frequently.
This written material, including books, newspapers, and
guidebooks, often
acted as a recruiting tool to entice potential vacationers.
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) spent many summers as a child in
Maine
within view of the White Mountains. In the fall of 1832 he stopped
at
Ethan Crawford's farm and climbed Mt. Washington. During his stay
he heard
the legend of "The Great Carbuncle" which he expanded
into a
short story. In 1840, the idea for "The Great Stone
Face" came
to him, and he used the White Mountains as the setting, and the
Old Man
of the Mountains as the 'profile.' Both of these short stories can
be
found in Hawthorne's Tales of the White Hills, published in
1877.
Newspapers, such as the Martha's Vineyard Herald ran ads
for hotels
and cottages in the area.
Click to enlarge.
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