Hanover Holiday 1953
Lectures, June 15-18, to Deal with the North
THE frontier has a natural fascination for the people of the United States. From the days when the first little ships began to poke out into the Atlantic Ocean, the new lands and new peoples they found have had a profound effect on western history. Whether you think in terms of Columbus, or Jacques Cartier, or John Smith, or Myles Standish, or Daniel Boone, or Lewis and Clark, you cannot think of our history without thinking of the frontier and what it has meant, and still means. We are all the product, in part, of the frontier, and the city has not yet taken over the spirit of America.
But "frontier," like many words, is an inexact one. What does it mean? For 25 years Dartmouth undergraduates have learned from Al Foley in History 64 ("Cowboys and Indians" MWF at 11:15) that there have been many frontiers in our past; they have even learned to trace them on a map. They may have heard somewhere that the frontier came to an end in 1890, but of course it didn't. It just moved on to a different region, and to be a different sort of pioneering.
At this point I had intended to point out that the frontier had moved north, and was now in Alaska and Canada; that the importance of this vast area was enormous; that there was immense demand for young men trained for northern needs; that Dartmouth was admirably qualified to turn out such men, had in fact begun to do so, and was planning to do more in its Northern Studies Project; and that the Hanover Holiday, always on the alert for the new and interesting at Dartmouth, would be devoted to the North this June. I had intended to, until I picked up the February ALUMNI MAGAZINE, and read the excellent article by Jack Hurd doing nearly all that. The only thing left out was Hanover Holiday, and so, with all the breathless excitement of a certain radio commentator, I can now add that item. Hanover Holiday, June 15-18, The Northern Frontier."
Actually no arguments are really needed to get people to find out more about the Arctic. Either you are interested in the frontier because you want to go there, or have relatives who want to, or you find it exciting because it is new, adventurous, colorful. The stay-at-homes are always more numerous, but they have sought out accounts of new lands, from Peter Martyr or Hakluyt, to the National Geographic. Personally, and especially right now (February 28), I would prefer Florida to Baffin Island but I'd rather hear about the latter. By far. Perhaps Toynbee is wrong in thinking the challenge of cold climates may be too great.
Hanover Holiday, addressing itself to this host of armchair explorers interested in Dartmouth, has put together an outstanding program. Obviously the northern frontier must be placed in perspective, and it will be by Professor Allen R. Foley '20, in "The Changing Frontier." What has the frontier been, what has it meant to western civilization, how has it influenced us all thousands of Dartmouth graduates can testify to the fact that this talk is one to hear, and would in itself make attendance at the Holiday worthwhile. This is for Monday morning.
The new has always been subject to misinformation, whether the one-eyed men of Sir John de Mandeville, or Champlain's Canadian diamonds. The north is no different, and a talk "The Arctic —Fact and Fable: A Personal Statement" is down for Monday night. Nobody could handle it better than Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Arctic Consultant at Dartmouth, internationally famous as authority on the north, a great person, and a notable addition to the list of Holiday speakers. Beyond this talk, he will be present all week, to add his share to the discussions.
Just as obviously, there should be some explanation of the American north, geologically and geographically. There are some problems peculiar to the region, like permafrost. We ought to know a little more about the resources and possibilities. Professor Richard Stoiber '32, of the Department of Geology, will cover this 1 uesday morning in "The North Our Mineral Storehouse." Professor Stoiber has been north, and knows more about it than he may admit.
There is still a lot not known about the north, and scientists all over the world are trying to fill in the gaps. Dartmouth is doing its share, and in "The Waters of Labrador" Commander David C. Nutt '41, USNR, will tell us something about it, Tuesday night. As Arctic Specialist at the Dartmouth Museum, he goes north in winter to work through the ice, and in summer, as master of the Blue Dolphin, he continues the expeditions sponsored by the College, with the Arctic Institute, the Office of Naval Research, the Navy Hydrographic Office, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Cornell University. What do we need to know about the northern oceans, and how is the research being done? This talk will be a real treat.
In two areas particularly interesting things have been happening in the north. "Alaska, Our Disappearing Frontier," on Wednesday morning, is for Professor Robert A. McKennan '25 of the Department of Sociology, who last month was named Director of the Northern Studies Project. He has spent several years there off and on since 19-9- and has seen it change from the time when the first pioneers were still on hand, to now, when parts at least are different. On foot, by dog team, river boat, car, and plane Professor McKennan has seen a lot of Alaska. Someday I shall go there; this year I'll hear Bob.
For the other area there is, on Wednesday evening, Professor Trevor Lloyd of the Geography Department, who will tell us, in "Modern Greenland," what the white man has been doing there lately to open it up. Professor Lloyd has spent some years in Greenland in research and as Canadian Consul, and has a special familiarity with the region to add to his wide knowledge of the whole north. He has been with the Holiday before, as one of its finest speakers.
Today the airplane is the essential tool in opening up the north, and in return the north has tremendous significance for the air age. The talk for Thursday morning is "Air Operations in the Northern Frontier" by Colonel Jack Hodgson, USAF, Commander of the Air Force ROTC unit at Dartmouth. Thirty-five years of service have taken Colonel Hodgson to many places, and for six years to Canada, where he was Commander, U. S. Army Forces, Central Canada, and Air Attache at Ottawa.
Hanover has been fortunate this last year in having in town Dr. William Anthony Paddon, usually to be reached at the Grenfell Mission Hospital, North West River, Labrador. There he is busy with public health, dentistry, carpentry, agriculture and various other tasks, and from there every winter he flies out a thousand miles, returning slowly by dog sled, tending his patients. This winter he has been telling many local groups about his experiences, and Hanover Holiday has persuaded him to fly down from Goose Bay in June, to talk on "The Problems of Labrador" on Thursday evening. Not many know this part of the north better or can talk about it more interestingly than he can - born and brought up there as well as working there.
That is the program, with an additional point that several of the talks will be illustrated. Come and take it in, and bring the family and, your friends. There will be plenty of room, either at the Inn or in one of the newer dormitories. The Outing Club House, the Inn, and Hovey Grill will all be open for meals. The Library, the Art Gallery, the Museum - all the college buildings will be open for use - definitely including the Ski Hut for evenings after the regular talks. The total expenses can be very low. Anyone interested in either Dartmouth or the north is truly welcome. There will be lots of time, between the morning and evening talks, for full use of New Hampshire's north - for golfing, swimming, tennis, walking, sitting on the Inn porch, or talking with the Tanzis. The weather will be superb, with no chance of permafrost. The Old Farmer's Almanac is quite clear for June 8-19. "Warmer and bright, more summer-like. Fair. Guess wot? It is getting hot." What more do you want for a vacation than the Hanover Holiday?
HANOVER HOLIDAY SPEAKERS: Among the Dartmouth faculty members who will give lectures on the Northern Frontier at the annual "alumni college" June 15-18 are (I to r) Richard E. Stoiber '32, Professor of Geology; Robert A. McKennan '25, Professor of Sociology, who is Director of the College's Northern Studies Project; and Trevor Lloyd, Professor of Geography.
