Loggers from the White Mtns. in NH wanted

[b.bollinger]

This may be a long shot but... I am working on a documentary on logging in the White Mountains on NH. If anybody knows anyone that used to be a logger there (preferably from the ax and saw days) could you please let me know if they would be willing to be interviewed. Ax men, Saw men, River Drivers, Saw Mill workers... anything.

The video will also include construction of the Woodstock Lumber Mill in HO I am building with Jim Harr of Stella Scale Models.

Thanks,
-Brian

[jbvb]

Anybody from the pre-Kancamagus Highway era would pretty much have to be in their '80s by now. I don't know anyone with that background, but the first place I'd ask would be the NH Farm Museum in Milton, then I'd look for Historical Societies in Sandwich, Ossipee, Tamworth, Conway, Lincoln, Berlin etc. Have you asked the people at Clark's Trading Post? The Appalachian Mountain Club might also have some useful contacts/memories.

[REdesignS]

Brian, I will be in Woodstock, NH and enjoying an early Spring week in late April. My sons' condo is right on the Pemmi, soooo relaxing, especially with a single barrel Bourbon, neat. That's the going rate for babysitting services while he's in Jaimaca looking for the sun and surf.
When i'm out and about in-town for breakfast and such, i'll inquire of the locals. Where an original mill once stood is now the location for several touristy shops and restaurants, rooms, etc. There is also several interesting and informative pictures and placards concerning the mill located in the public areas of that building. I'll also stop in the local bookstore/library and inquire within.
The project looks to be monumental but it's a magnificent structure to build an engrossing scene(s) around. Good luck to you and Jim.
Dick

[b.bollinger]

I have a friend whos parents are in their 80 and they live in littleton NH and have their whole life. I'm hoping they'll know a couple of people. I know of places to "search" for old time loggers but I thought I would try friends' friends first. The few people that I have talked to don't really understand the concept of a documentary or understand why I would even want to interview them. They're very humble and have a treasure's worth of information and life experiences to share.

[gnatshop]

Don't forget to include the 'original' loggers from the area!

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[b.bollinger]

Well, I suppose that if I found just one of them critters that spoke just a little english for an interview I'd have all I needed for my video.

[rpdylan]

I live in the White Mountains and (because of my job) I occasionally get to talk to some of the guys who did that for a living, and yes, they are old men now. My suggestion would be to place a small ad in the Berlin Daily Sun newspaper looking for guys who logged the area.
Bob C.
North Conway, NH

[chester]

Brian, I lived in Hillsboro, N.H. about 30 years ago and did some logging there for a few seasons. It wasn't a whole lot different then than now so I probably wouldn't have much worthwhile to contribute. Between the towns of Hillsboro and Henniker there were about seven sawmills back then. I was a limber, trimmed branches after the tree was cut down, a very tough job when the snow in the woods is waist deep. You might want to check out the names Patenaude and Thom Johnson from Henniker, some of the players in logging the Sunapee/Kearsarge area. I remember the Johnson family had a lot of old photos in their office.

[kot2b]

You may also want to try the Lincoln NH Public Libarary and the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society. There is allot of logging history in that area and you may also want to get in touch with the people at the Hobo RR and Clarks Trading Post in NH.
Dave