November 7, 2014
Ken Burns’ New England
By Mary Schricker Gemberling
“New England has always had a special place in American history and American thought. And New England has become Ken Burn’s backyard – not just the place where he’s raised his family and made his documentaries in the classic New England town of Walpole, New Hampshire, but also a place intertwined with many of the stories he’s told…… It’s a distinct region with its own beauty and its own secret treasures – and who better to share them but one of its proudest residents.”
– Dayton Duncan
Ken Burns, an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs, has produced twenty-seven films and documentaries on various subjects. His best known documentaries are The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Prohibition, and The Central Park Five. His most recent film, The Roosevelts, a seven episode PBS documentary on Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, was an extraordinary look into the lives of these three brilliant and colorful figures in American History.
Recently, Gary and I had the opportunity to tour Ken Burns’ studio in Walpole New Hampshire for an exclusive interview with the individuals who play an integral part in putting together these documentaries. We had just watched The Roosevelts a week prior to our trip and were enamored with the quality and immensity of the project. It was interesting to hear first-hand how the vast amount of information and many photographs had been edited into the final fourteen hour documentary. We also got a glimpse into future projects on Vietnam and Country Music.
Inspired by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, our tour, The Hidden Gems of New England, took us many places throughout the Northeast that have been fodder for their productions over the years. We journeyed through the picturesque heart of New England touring landmarks, homes, farms and wild natural settings that evoked the spirit of a place whose ideas shaped America.
Our tour began in Hartford, Connecticut where we visited the home of Samuel Clemons (also known as Mark Twain).
I knew that his boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri was an inspiration for many of his books, but I was unaware that from 1871-1891 he lived with his wife and daughters in Hartford. It was during these years that he produced some of his best known works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ( 1884). His good friend and neighbor was Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which sold thousands of copies in the first year, inspiring her to go on and write thirty more books.
We drove through the Green Mountain state of Vermont, which until 1965 had more cows than people. This rural state, known for its cheese production, organic farming and maple syrup is also the home of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. We learned from Doug and Ann, third generation owners of The Vermont Maple Syrup Store, how maple syrup was made. After touring Billings Farm, a historic dairy farm from 1890, we stopped for photo ops at one of New England’s many covered bridges set in a backdrop of brilliant autumn colors. Vermont has just over one hundred authentic covered bridges!
After lunch in Hanover, home to Dartmouth College, we headed to the stately Mountain View Grand Hotel nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The story is that in 1865 the doors of the Inn were opened to two weary travelers taken in for the night. Upon waking up to the breathtaking view of the White Mountains, the travelers were so captivated they decided to stay an entire week. The rest is history!! After checking in, with wine in hand, we ventured out to the massive front porch to take in the amazing view. Here, the magnificent fall colors were at their peak. There are only two places in the world that have this variety of brilliant foliage- New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and Kyoto Japan.
The following morning we were on our way to the Canterbury Shaker Village, a historic site and museum in Canterbury, New Hampshire. It was one of a number of Shaker communities founded in the 19th century. It is one of the most intact and authentic surviving Shaker community sites, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. We visited the oldest general store in the country in Bath, New Hampshire and drove nearby Squam Lake where the classic, On Golden Pond was filmed.
No trip to the Northeast would be complete without visiting the weathered, craggy coast of Main. The drive along the coast replicated a picture perfect postcard of the New England shoreline. After settling in our rooms at the Cliff House in Ogunquit, ME, we were treated to a traditional New England Lobster dinner complete with clam chowder, corn on the cob and red potatoes. We somehow made room for a slice of blueberry pie, made with fresh Main blueberries. After our short time in Maine we vowed that we would return someday for a much longer stay!
The final days of our trip were spent in Boston, more commonly referred to as Beantown. The popular nickname most probably was derived from the early Pilgrims and Puritans of Massachusetts. In observance of the Sabbath they did not work or even cook hot meals on Sundays. To circumvent this religious rule, they would bake beans on Saturdays in a bean pot, and leave them in the hot brick ovens overnight. On Sundays the baked beans would still be hot when served. We visited Lexington and the old North Bridge at Concord as well as the Old North Church. We toured Boston both by car and on foot, traveling amidst the ghosts of our American Heritage. We immersed ourselves in the culture, food, and architecture of this great city and even took a tour of Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the US. Our guide was so passionate about the Red Sox, that if we weren’t such diehard Cardinal fans, he might have converted us!
From the covered bridges, and white-steepled churches; to the quaint general stores, and rolling fertile farms; from the vibrant tree lined mountains and lighthouses illuminating the rugged coastline, New England has long been the inspiration for artists, writers, inventors, and Revolutionaries and continues to inspire all who visit.
Mary Schricker Gemberling
Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, is the author of two books, The West End Kid and A Labor of Love; My Personal Journey Through the World of Caregiving ( available at www.amazon.com )
