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 Pulled into History
Chinook at the New Hampshire Historical Society For many the name Chinook conjures up images of exploration and discovery. In January the Perry Greene Collection, documenting the life and adventures of Arthur T. Walden, his famous dog, Chinook, and dog sledding in New Hampshire, were donated to the New Hampshire Historical Society by Rick Skoglund and Martha Kalina, owners of the Perry Greene Kennel in Waldoboro, Maine. A rich assemblage of more than two hundred photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, and artifacts, covering the period from 1920 to 1940, it is the first collection of its kind documenting the early years of dog sledding in New Hampshire that the Society has acquired. Society staff developed an exhibition, Pulled into History, using these important materials. With a small sample of materials from the collection, the display explores how dog sledding was part of early 20th-century Americans’ fascination with frontiers and faraway places. The collection and exhibition explore the life and sledding adventures of Tamworth dog breeder and racer Arthur T. Walden (1875-1947), who set out to find a dog like he had known in Alaska with the right combination of strength, endurance, speed, and good nature. He found this and friendship in a dog named Chinook, born at Wonalancet in 1917, the first of many generations of a sturdy breed of lovable sled dogs. Chinook and his children were first tested at the New England Sled Dog Club, founded in 1924, to promote the sport of dog sled racing across Canada and New England. He led the first sled dog team to reach the summit of Mount Washington. Chinook went on to earn national recognition participating in Commander Richard E. Byrd’s first Antarctic expedition. The collection includes important documentary photographs of Edward E. Goodale, Frederick E. Crockett, Norman D. Vaughan, Arthur T. Walden, and Chinook as they prepared for Byrd’s expedition at Walden’s Wonalancet Farm during the winter of 1927-28. Walden was the lead driver and trainer of the dogs on the expedition. In addition to expedition dogs and sleds, Walden took a team of his own dogs, including Chinook as the lead dog. They played an important role carrying supplies and equipment for the expedition, which charted Antarctica and flew over the South Pole for the first time. Two ships, three airplanes, and 100 dogs left Boston Harbor in August 1928 on a journey of exploration and adventure that lasted until June 1930. Exploring one of the final frontiers of the world – the frozen Antarctic – Walden’s dog teams pulled supplies on sleds from the ships to the expedition base camp called “Little America,” on the Great Ice Shelf. Walden lost his best friend when the aging dog Chinook died during the expedition. Newspapers around the world reported the death of the mighty lead sled dog with sorrow. Chinook, the wise faced mongrel, who grew to a massive 100 pounds, became the inspiration for books, newspaper articles, and a movie. To this day his descendants remain popular recreational sled dogs and companions. 
Seventh-grade students from the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School in Bedford are leading an effort to establish Chinook as New Hampshire’s official state dog. The students and their teacher Jen Wells worked with Senator Sheila Roberge who sponsored the bill. The bill has been approved by both the New Hampshire Senate and House.
Historical Bobblehead Chinook is one of the newest in the New Hampshire Historical Society's popular series of historical bobbleheads. Order yours today! Plan Your Visit Today The Museum of New Hampshire History is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. The museum is also open Monday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from July 1 through October 15, and in the month of December. Admission is $5.50 for adults; $4.50 for seniors; $3 for children 6-18, with a family maximum of $17. Children under 6 and members of the New Hampshire Historical Society are admitted free. Guided and self-guided group tours are available by advance reservation. For adult tours, the fees are $4.50 per person for a guided tour (with a $50.00 minimum charge) and $3.50 per person for a self-guided tour (with a $40.00 minimum charge). Guided school and youth tours also are available. Visit our school programs page for details on our varied programs. For more information, and to arrange your visit, contact Education Services Coordinator Chris MacLeod at 603/856-0604 or cmacleod@nhhistory.org. Directions The Museum of New Hampshire History is located at 6 Eagle Square in downtown Concord, NH. Telephone: 603/228-6688. Take Interstate 93 to Exit 14. Northbound -- turn left at the light at the end of the exit ramp; Southbound -- turn right at the light at the end of the exit ramp. Stay in the right lane. At North Main Street turn right. Take the next right onto Storrs Street. Pass under a bridge and overhead parking garage; the museum parking lot entrance is on the left just as you begin to emerge from under the overhead parking garage. At the parking lot entrance gate, take a ticket to open the lot gate. After parking, cross Storrs Street to the museum entrance. The museum is a four-story granite building. Parking is free for museum visitors. Bring your parking lot ticket to redeem for an exit token at the museum reception desk. About Us The New Hampshire Historical Society is the independent nonprofit that saves, preserve, and shares New Hampshire history. The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its museum, library, educational programs, and award-winning publications. Join Us! The New Hampshire Historical Society is not a state-funded agency. All of the Society's programs and services are made possible by dues and contributions from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Free admission to the museum and free use of library research resources are two of the many benefits of membership in the New Hampshire Historical Society. You are invited to join today! Call the membership department at 603/856-0621 or use our convenient and secure online membership form.  |
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