The N.H. Division of Parks and Recreation has received an outpouring of condolences - from citizens of New Hampshire as well as from people across the country and even from around the world. So many are mourning the loss of this familiar icon and have taken the time to share their feelings. Following are samples of their contributions, photos of the day after the collapse and of the Man himself before and after the tragedy.
If you would like to submit any thoughts or remembrances regarding the Old Man for possible inclusion in this online Scrapbook, please e-mail the Division at oldmanmemories@dred.state.nh.us .
To submit recommendations for the future of the Old Man, please e-mail the Old Man Revitalization Task Force at oldman@nh.gov.
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To forget the old man in the mountain is like forgetting the face of God. Once you've seen it you can never forget. I am saddened that so many of us have lost our "face." We will never forget. I was a child the first time I saw the face. I thought God had put his face there on the mountain to let us know he was watching over us. Perhaps the stone has crumbled, but God still watches over us all. I would be happy to contribute to a reconstruction effort if such is planned.
Very respectfully, Rick Cooper, Flowood, MS
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The Profile on 4/11 about 2 weeks
before the landslide
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I just saw that the Old Man passed away. When I was a child, we took family car trips every summer, traversing all 48 continental states over the years. One of my clearest and fondest memories is the sensation of awe--even after having seen Mt. Rushmore--that God and Nature had fashioned this indisputable representation of Earth's most vulnerable specie in seemingly indestructible form. I'm so glad he was memorialized on the New Hampshire state quarter. I hope the governor's planned "monument/restoration" is flooded with more than enough donations. I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to join history by laying eyes on that American wonder.
Best regards and deepest condolences, Margo Lemberger
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Looking south at forehead remains and turnbuckles
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I was saddened to hear of the Old Man of the Mountain collapsing. I spent several summers in the 1960's visiting Meredith, NH, and each year would look forward to visiting the Old Man of the Mountain. It was amazing how perfect it was in its features, for being a natural formation. I hope something can be done to either restore it or a fitting monument can be built.
Carol Mershon
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As a former resident of Conway, New Hampshire for 20 years, I was so distressed to read about the Old Man of the Mountain. It's almost like losing a member of one's family. It will always be a symbol of N.H. whether he's there or not!
Sincerely, Mrs. Barbara Ferguson Baker, Durham, North Carolina
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