Celebrating The Mount’s 150th Anniversary
At The Lake Winnipesaukee Museum

PHOTO: Artist Peter Ferber notes that “Arriving at Wolfeborough” (2018) depicts the Wolfeboro waterfront in the early 1930s, showing a number of buildings (such as the Town Hall) still visible today. Ferber included the biplane “New Hampshire” which did sightseeing tours of the Lake out of the seaplane base at the Weirs, as well as an early gas balloon, to activate his composition (Private Collection).

The Lake Winnipesaukee Museum is now welcoming visitors to this season’s recently opened special exhibition focusing on the 150th anniversary of the Mount Washington. Located at 503 Endicott Street North, next to Funspot in the Weirs, the Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM to 4 PM, through mid-October.
The Mount has been cruising the Big Lake since 1872, and the Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society’s permanent collection features numerous images and objects representing this icon of Lake Winnipesaukee. The summer show celebrating The Mount’s 150th anniversary includes two paintings by renowned Lakes Region artist Peter Ferber, as well as photographs and ephemera loaned by Captain Jim Morash of Mount Washington Cruises, who spoke about his 40-plus years on The Mount at the Museum on July 20th.
From the original steam-powered sidewheeler to the 230-foot motorship cruising the lake today, the Mount Washington has been a fundamental part of life on Lake Winnipesaukee for 150 years. In 2022, Mount Washington Cruises celebrates not only the legacy of the Mount Washington, but also the dedication of her crew, the loyalty of communities around the lake, and the enthusiasm for The Mount within the tourism community. On August 12th, there will be a 150th Anniversary Gala on the M/S Mount Washington, with associated events in Wolfeboro.
On August 24th, historian and ship modeler David Warren will give a talk on “The S.S. Mount Washington and WW II,” tracing the coincidences, calamities, and coverups in The Mount’s wartime history. Warren’s interest in Winnipesaukee steamboat history stems from his hobby making ship models; he currently has 24 models on exhibition in six Lakes Region museums. The Lake Winnipesaukee Museum displays his scale model of the Mount Washington, which is recognized as the oldest steel passenger ship on a freshwater lake in the world.
The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society was founded in 1985 with the mission to promote and preserve the history and heritage of the Big Lake and its vicinity. Programs focusing on the Lakes Region and New Hampshire history are held on Wednesdays during the summer season. For more information, see www.lakewinnimuseum.org.