A Cemetery Walk with Stephen Sharon // Lincoln and North Woodstock, NH

Meet Stephen Sharon: Pioneer of Tourism and Early Hospitality in the Western White Mountains

Step back into the 19th century and discover the life of Stephen Sharon, a man whose story is intertwined with the earliest days of travel, tourism, and hospitality in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. As the Industrial Revolution surged and railroads transformed the region, Stephen helped welcome the very first wave of visitors to the western White Mountains.

In this video, you’ll learn how Stephen:
• Was born in 1843 and followed his sister north to the young settlement of North Woodstock
• Served in the 18th New Hampshire Regiment during the Civil War, returning home without seeing combat
• Married Abigail Russell, connecting him to a family deeply rooted in early Woodstock history
• Operated one of the region’s first boarding houses—the Mountain View House, which stood at the height of land in North Woodstock with sweeping views of the Flume and Mount Liberty
• Hosted up to fifty summer guests every year, helping launch the hospitality era that would later define the area
• Raised four children—Florence, William, Lizzie, and Lily—several of whom continued the family’s tradition of running inns and hotels, including the Deer Park Hotel
• Witnessed both joy and heartbreak, including the Thanksgiving Day wedding of his daughter Lily in 1897 and her tragic passing just months later
• Continued running the Mountain View House with his family until his death in 1912

Stephen’s story is set against the backdrop of the railroad boom, the rise of tourism, and the transformation of the White Mountains into a beloved destination. His boarding house helped shape the early visitor experience—and laid the groundwork for the vibrant hospitality industry that still thrives in the region today.

Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Portrayed by: John Saunders
Location: Parker Cemetery, North Woodstock, NH

An Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society Production // Lincoln and North Woodstock, NH

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Видео A Cemetery Walk with Stephen Sharon // Lincoln and North Woodstock, NH канала Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society