Franconia Notch was privately owned through the 1920s. When the Profile House hotel was destroyed by fire and the owner decided not to rebuild, there was concern about the Notch falling into the hands of lumber companies. So the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests worked closely with the state to save the Notch from “destructive lumbering…and from commercial exploitation.”
The 6,000-acre park was purchased in 1928 using $200,000 in state funds, $100,000 from a Boston financier’s estate and $100,000 that the SPNHF and the New Hampshire Federation of Women’s Clubs raised from 15,000 private donors.
'Forever...Within the State's Ownership and Control'
Gov. Huntley Spaulding spoke at the September 1928 dedication ceremony of what was then called Franconia Notch Forest Reservation and Memorial Park. He said, “It is good to know that henceforth, we have forever these assets of the state within the state’s ownership and control, to be conserved and administered for the sole benefit of the people of New Hampshire and their visitors and guests from beyond our state borders.”
'Forever...Within the State's Ownership and Control'
Gov. Huntley Spaulding spoke at the September 1928 dedication ceremony of what was then called Franconia Notch Forest Reservation and Memorial Park. He said, “It is good to know that henceforth, we have forever these assets of the state within the state’s ownership and control, to be conserved and administered for the sole benefit of the people of New Hampshire and their visitors and guests from beyond our state borders.”
Leasing Cannon to a private operator clearly would clash with the intentions of the people who had the vision, drive and dedication necessary to protect the Notch for future generations.
Public Park to Benefit Private Sector?
While the threat of lumbering is long gone, leasing Cannon to the highest bidder certainly is commercial exploitation of the Notch. And contrary to Gov. Spaulding's soaring words, leasing would take a large area of the park out of the state's control and use it for the benefit of a private corporation -- not the citizens of New Hampshire.
Public Park to Benefit Private Sector?
While the threat of lumbering is long gone, leasing Cannon to the highest bidder certainly is commercial exploitation of the Notch. And contrary to Gov. Spaulding's soaring words, leasing would take a large area of the park out of the state's control and use it for the benefit of a private corporation -- not the citizens of New Hampshire.
Leasing is a threat to the tranquility of Franconia Notch State Park. The private operators of the state-owned Mount Sunapee have filed plans to add new recreational activities over the next two summers, including a canopy tour zip line, aerial adventure park, disc golf, Segway tours and miniature golf. If Cannon is leased, could these heavily commercial activities be far behind?
