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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 2009, the Perry Greene Collection, documenting the life and adventures of Arthur T. Walden, his famous dog, Chinook, and dog sledding in New Hampshire, was donated to the New Hampshire Historical Society by Rick Skoglund and Martha Kalina, owners of the Perry Greene Kennel in Waldoboro, Maine. The collection includes more than two hundred photographs, letters, newspaper clippings, and artifacts, covering the period from 1920 to 1940. Visitors can see a small sample from this rich collection in the exhibition "New Hampshire Through Many Eyes," on view at the Society's museum. The Perry Green collection documents 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. 
In 2009 seventh-grade students from the Ross A. Lurgio Middle School in Bedford led a successful 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.
Historical Bobblehead Chinook is one in the series of the the New Hampshire Historical Society's historical bobbleheads. Order yours today! The New Hampshire Historical Society is the independent nonprofit that saves, preserves, 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. About 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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