An ice cap receded from North America. This created the mountains, rivers, lakes and ponds we have in North America.

The American Indians had a legend that said if you follow the Great Merrimack River north you will find a mountain with a stone face.

Several groups of surveyors were working in the Franconia Notch area. Several of those groups have claimed credit for the discovery of the Old Man of the Mountain. We give credit to Luke Brooks and Francis Witcomb.

Rev. Guy Roberts of Whitefield, NH, discovered that the forehead stone of the old Man had begun to slip into the valley. Roberts brought this to the attention of the owner of the Notch, Col. Greenleaf. Together they agreed that they had several problems. 1. The rock was going to fall. 2. The minister did not know how to fix the problem. 3. The Army Col. did not know how to fix the problem. They began their search for a fix.

Rev. Roberts located Edward Geddes, a granite quarry superintendent from Quincy, MA. Edward Geddes used a devise in the quarries to secure rocks. This was called a turnbuckle. Edward Geddes was selected to do this work. The Governor and Council were approached to fund the repair. The turnbuckles were created in St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Rev. Roberts, Ed Geddes and 4 helpers came to work on the Old Man. Ed Geddes worked from sunrise to sunset for 6 days to secure the forehead stone. As a result, the fingers on one of his hands became frostbitten and were crooked for the rest of his life. But because of his work, the stone has not moved a measurable amount in over 80 years.

Owners wanted to sell 6000 acres for $400,000.00. State legislature appropriated $200,000.00. The Society of NH Forests raised $100,00.00 and the NH Federated Woman's raised the remaining $100,000.00.

The land of Franconia Notch is dedicated as a State Forest Reservation and Park.

Ed Geddes makes his last trip to the Old Man. He installs cinder blocks in a crack on top of the Old Man so that any person could see movement. The measurements of 1937 were exactly the same as they were in 1916.

The Old Man of the Mountain became the Official emblem of NH.

Another inspection was undertaken. No work was conducted.

Another inspection was undertaken. The examination found that the crack Geddes had spoken of in 1937 had indeed widened by ¾ of an inch. The Old Man needed help.

A bill was introduced into the NH legislature to appropriate $25,000.00 for the repair of the Old Man of the Mountain. The bill passed in 1957.

The repairs were undertaken by Waterproof Engineering and Products of Revere, MA. There were four turnbuckles installed on top of the Old Man's head over the 1937 crack. A waterproof cover was put over the crack. A water diversion ditch was created above the Old Man's head.

Niels Nielsen went to work for the State of NH Highway Dept. For over 30 years he dedicated his life to his labor of love, "Saving the great Stone Face." Niels Nielsen became the First Official Caretaker of the Old Man of the Mountain.

Annual inspections of the old Man began, led by Dolph Bowles of the NH Highway Dept.

Niels F.F. Nielsen became the leader of the work parties.

The work party was made up of Niels, Thomas, Robert and Michael Nielsen with assistance from Austin Macauley of the Cannon Mountain staff.

David Nielsen made his first trip to the Old Man with his father because his father told him that he had to give him a shave and a haircut. David has worked on the Old Man every year since then. David became the Second Official Caretaker of the Old Man of the Mountain. Seismology studies by the University of Maryland take place.

Niels descended the face of the Old Man for the first time using a boatswain's chair. The first close inspection of the south face and front face of the Old Man occurred.

Niels sealed up the crack on the south face of the Old Man by creating a membrane of wire, cloth, and fiberglass. This covered the Old Man's ear.

Niels installed 14 numbered tags across the Old Man's face in order to properly measure any movement. Those check points were checked annually.

Annual inspections occurred with only minor repairs and replacement of work. No major work was undertaken.

David made his first trip over the edge of the Old Man.

Niels and David go over the edge together in separate chairs.

Deborah Goddard made her first trip to the Old Man with David. This was their second date. They were married in 1984 and became partners on and off the mountain.

Deborah became the first women in history to go over the edge of the Old Man. Their son, Thomas, made his first trip to the Old Man.

Niels made his last trip to the Old Man. He was flown by helicopter to the Old Man's landing area. He said goodbye there and was flown off.

David Nielsen and others descended the Old Man's face and inspected the Old Man's "Adam's Apple."

A plan was put into place in which the Old Man's "Adam's Apple" was glued back together.

Annual inspections occur. The measurements are exactly the same over the 10-year period.

Niels F.F. Nielsen, Jr. passes away.

Part of the ashes of Niels F.F. Nielsen, Jr. is buried in the left eye of the Old Man by David and Deborah.

May 3rd - The Old Man falls.

May 6th - Governor Benson establishes the Old Man of the Mountain Revitalization Task Force and Revitalization Fund. Task force members will examine possible options for an enduring tribute to the Old Man of the Mountain.

May 10th - First meeting of the Old Man of the Mountain Revitalization Task Force.

May 10th - Family Remembrance Day in Franconia Notch State Park. The day provides an opportunity for individuals and families to visit Franconia Notch and reflect on what the Old Man of the Mountain has meant to people young and old.