New Book Releases

Historic Burial Grounds of the New Hampshire Seacoast, a photographic study of Colonial Era-burial grounds, uncovers the fascinating history of the area from the 1680s to 1810. These early cemeteries are a direct link to our past, and yet very little has been done to preserve their history through photographs. By understanding how, why, and by whom these gravestones were made, the symbolism they portray can be understood, and we will gain a clearer understanding of the ways in which our ancestors lived and died. The burial grounds and the gravestones within them have often been called "open air museums." They contain some of the oldest works of art found in the area; some gravestones are more than 300 years old. Through the author's collection of photographs, one can see the entire range of images present in the area's old burial grounds, including grinning skulls and crossbones, heavenly cherubs, and epitaphs that tell magnificent tales. This collection is a must for anyone interested in local history, genealogy, or colonial-era art.

The White Mountains attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, all fascinated by the natural beauty of the area and awestruck each season anew by what the region has to offer. Adventurous city-dwellers began arriving almost as soon as carriages and dirt roads could carry them. As the number of visitors has increased with each passing year, one of the most telling barometers of change in the White Mountains has been the hostelry. This wonderful visual history reveals the history of the hotels, inns, and taverns in the White Mountains, and explains their impact on the area from the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth. Travel was an adventure in the mid-nineteenth century--not for the weak of heart--and travelers would generally find
accommodations in taverns on stage routes or in local farmhouses. The arrival of "steel roads" made the region much more accessible, and large, opulent hotels were built to cater to the rich and famous
while more modest country inns provided a quieter environment for artists and writers seeking sanctuary from the cities. Some of the most fascinating images here portray the opulent lifestyle that was enjoyed amidst the forests and falls of the mountains and capture a sense of serenity that was not to last.

Route 1 in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts is an unapologetic combination of historic gravity, exuberant entertainment, unexpected juxtapositions, and wonderfully kitschy roadside attractions. New England road trippers will encounter roller coasters and candlepin bowling, lobster rolls and homemade pie, colonial-era taverns and granite fortifications. An orange dinosaur overlooks the highway in Massachusetts, a neon whale casts its glow in New Hampshire, and a statue in Maine memorializes a celebrity harbor seal. Motor courts once welcomed weary travelers, and drive-in theaters entertained vacationers on starlit summer nights. A geodesic dome is dedicated to the Maine wild blueberry, and a quirky museum documents the history of the state's sardine industry. A club in Massachusetts showcased jazz greats, and a movie theater in Maine was named after a celebrated racehorse. Mile after mile, Route 1 tells a story about history, survival, loss, and change.

Portsmouth Cemeteries, a photographic study of this city's cemeteries, uncovers a compelling history of the area from the Colonial era to the 1900s. These cemeteries provide a direct link to the past, where many stories are told in stone. The gravestones and monuments feature unusual works of art, and the inscriptions act as documents that preserve family histories, valiant military service, and memories of photographs, readers can see how gravestones evolved over time and learn about some of Portsmouth's own practitioners in the art of stone carving.

Cemeteries Around Lake Winnipesaukee, a photographic study, reveals the compelling history of the region from the time when Native Americans first inhabited the lake's shore to the 1900s. These cemeteries are some of the oldest cultural and archaeological remnants of the past around the lake, and their scenic locations and gravestones and monuments provide a tangible link to the past. Through the author's collection of photographs, readers can see the final resting places of people as diverse as early settlers, ministers, doctors, Revolutionary and Civil War veterans, drowning victims, and even a controversial author. Readers will also discover the art and business of gravestone carving and learn about some of the region's early practitioners in this unusual art form.