Bust of Governor Gallen – New Hampshire
On a drive through the White Mountains, we passed through the dramatic landscape of Franconia Notch State Park. Near one of the scenic stops stands this granite bust honoring Hugh J. Gallen.

The memorial commemorates Galles, who served as Governor of New Hampshire from 1979 until his death in 1982. He was respected for his efforts to promote economic development and strengthen New Hampshire’s tourism industry.
The bust is carved from granite, a fitting material for the “Granite State”. It sits along the highway corridor that passes through Franconia Notch, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in New England.
The memorial reflects the importance of this highway corridor. The modern highway running through Franconia Notch was carefully designed to preserve the natural landscape while allowing travelers to experience the beauty of the mountains. Leaders like Governor Gallen supported efforts to balance tourism, transportation and conservation in this remarkable part of New Hampshire.
Encountering this bust reminds me that the landscapes we enjoy today often owe something to the vision of those who helped protect and promote them.
Read More From Nancy
Union Oyster House
Walking along the Freedom Trail in Boston, it is easy to miss the plaque outside the Union Oyster House. But if you pass it by, you are missing not only a good meal, but an extraordinary chapter in American history. The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States, serving diners […]
Winnie-the-Pooh Characters – New York City
During a tour of the New York Public Library, we made an unexpected stop at a glass case holding the original stuffed animals that inspired the characters of Winnie-the-Pooh. Inside the Stephen Schwarzman Building, tucked among grand marble halls and towering reading rooms, sit the well-worn toys that once belonged to Christopher Robin Milne. Pooh, […]
Henry Knox in Framingham
In Framingham, Massachusetts, there stands a granite block bearing an inscription that is easy to pass by without a second glance. Yet the words carved into this stone marks one of the most daring feats of the American Revolution: “Through this place passed Henry Knox in the winter of 1775–1776 to deliver to General George Washington […]