Ralph C. Larrabee (1870-1935) of Boston, Massachusetts, was one of a group of grass-roots conservationists who helped open the natural landscape to a new generation of Americans during the early 20th century.  As two-time president of the Appalachian Mountain Club, longtime chairman of its guidebook committee, active trail builder, and avid amateur photographer, Larrabee and his work helped to inspire new ways of thinking about and using the natural environment.

On Sunday, November 9, at 2 p.m., Marla Taylor of Dover will present "I Own These Mountains": Grass-Roots Conservation Through the Lens of Ralph C. Larabee, a lecture about Larrabee's life, career, passion for photography, and love of the mountains.  The lecture will be held at the New Hampshire Historical Society's library, 30 Park Street, Concord.  Admission is free for New Hampshire Historical Society members; $5 for nonmembers.

Educated at Harvard University, Ralph Larrabee served for 35 years as a doctor at Boston City Hospital.  Early in life Larrabee showed an interest in nature, joining the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), the nation's oldest outdoor recreation and conservation organization, at the age of 22.   In the AMC Larrabee found men and women with a love of nature that ran as deep as his.  In 1896 he and Herschel Parker made the first known winter traverse of New Hampshire's Presidential Range.  An avid amateur photographer, between 1906 and 1935 Larrabee recorded his life and world in thousands of photographs.  He captured the natural beauty of the landscape on film as he cleared trails, built camps, and explored the mountains.

Marla Taylor holds a Master of Arts in history from the University of New Hampshire with a concentration in museum studies.  She served as guest curator for the New Hampshire Historical Society's current exhibition, On the Trail: The Photographs of Ralph C. Larrabee and the Appalachian Mountain Club, and is author of an article on Larrabee published in the latest edition of the Society's journal, Historical New Hampshire.  The exhibition and publication were sponsored by TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation and the Robert and Dorothy Goldberg Charitable Foundation.

Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is the independent nonprofit that saves, preserves, and shares New Hampshire history.  The Society serves thousands of children and adults each year through its museum, library, educational programs, publications, and outreach programs.  The Society is not a state-funded agency.  All of its programs and services are made possible by membership dues and contributions.  For more information about the Society and the benefits of membership, visit http://www.nhhistory.org or call 603-228-6688.