Dartmouth College Grants: A History of Land and Forestry Management
The history of Dartmouth College is inextricably linked to the land. From its inception, the institution sought territorial grants to secure its financial future and provide a foundation for its academic mission. This journey involved complex legal battles, royal charters, and a transition from simple land sales to sophisticated, sustainable forestry management.
The Early Struggle for Land: Landaff and Wheelock
In 1766, New Hampshire Governor John Wentworth promised Eleazar Wheelock a township grant to support the establishment of Dartmouth College. By 1770, shortly after Wheelock received the royal charter, the governor granted the township of Landaff, located east of present-day Woodsville, New Hampshire. However, after surveying the area, Wheelock chose to establish the college in Hanover instead.
The American Revolution complicated these holdings. Because the Landaff grant was derived from royal authority and faced rival claims from American settlers, the college lost its claim to the land in 1791.
During the litigation surrounding Landaff, the state of Vermont provided assistance. In 1785, Vermont granted the college the township of Wheelock, situated northwest of St. Johnsbury. The college divided this land into 100-acre (0.40 km) lots, which were leased to settlers. While most of these lots were eventually sold to meet financial obligations, the college still retains title to some properties in the town.
The First and Second College Grants
Anticipating the loss of the Landaff Grant, New Hampshire fulfilled its original promise in 1789 by granting the town of Clarksville in northern New Hampshire. Known as the First College Grant, this land was intended as a replacement. The college sold the majority of this land within two years, completing all sales by 1872.
Finding the proceeds from Clarksville insufficient, the college petitioned the state for more land in 1792. This request was finally met in 1807 with the Second College Grant. Although the land was initially unattractive to settlers, it became a steady source of income for the next 150 years through the sale of timber.
Evolution of Modern Forestry Management
The approach to managing the Second College Grant shifted significantly in 1947 with the hiring of Robert S. Monahan as College Forester. Monahan introduced a multiple use philosophy, which balanced timber production with recreational and educational opportunities for the Dartmouth community.
Following Monahan's retirement in 1970, the college adopted a "10-20 Year Plan" developed by the Prentiss & Carlisle Company. This plan established an annual sustained yield cut of approximately 4,000 cords of wood. Management was overseen by the Seven Islands Land Company, while Al Merrill, the Director of Outdoor Affairs, managed the recreational aspects, including the Dartmouth Outing Club and the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge.
Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Practices
In 1976, the college faced an ecological crisis when the spruce budworm—a forest pest—reached epidemic levels in Maine and Canada. Dartmouth responded by imposing a two-year logging moratorium. From 1978 to 1986, the college conducted a salvage operation to remove dead fir trees while preserving spruce and hardwood species.
After the salvage operation, the college transitioned back to internal management by hiring Edward Witt as College Forester. Based on a timber cruise survey (a systematic sampling of forest stands to estimate volume and quality), Witt implemented a new strategy. He initially increased harvesting to 10,000 cords for ten years to remove poor-quality trees and improve forest health, eventually settling on a sustainable annual cut of 6,000 cords.
Since 1987, the forest has been managed with a focus on wildlife benefit, with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department collaborating on the design and methodology of harvesting activities.
Recent Events
In 2019, the Hell Gate Gorge cabin, which had been built in 1974, was destroyed by a chimney fire. Among the guests staying at the cabin during the fire was Colin Van Ostern, a former candidate for Governor of New Hampshire.
Key Facts
- First College Grant: The town of Clarksville, NH, granted in 1789 to replace the lost Landaff Grant.
- Second College Grant: Granted in 1807; transitioned from timber sales to a multiple-use recreational and educational forest.
- Sustainable Yield: Current management allows for a sustainable annual cut of 6,000 cords.
- Wildlife Integration: Harvesting activities are coordinated with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
- Historical Shift: Moved from royal grants (Landaff) to state grants (Clarksville and the Second Grant).
| Grant Name | Year Granted | Location | Primary Outcome/Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landaff Grant | 1770 | East of Woodsville, NH | Lost in 1791 due to royal derivation and rival claims. |
| Wheelock Grant | 1785 | Northwest of St. Johnsbury, VT | Divided into 100-acre lots; some properties still held. |
| First College Grant | 1789 | Clarksville, NH | Mostly sold by 1872. |
| Second College Grant | 1807 | New Hampshire | Managed for timber, education, and recreation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dartmouth College lose the Landaff Grant?
The college lost the claim to Landaff in 1791 because the grant was based on a royal derivation and was contested by American settlers in the area.
What is the "multiple use philosophy" in forestry?
Introduced by Robert S. Monahan in 1947, this philosophy manages the forest for several purposes simultaneously, including timber production, education, and recreation.
How did the college handle the spruce budworm epidemic?
The college implemented a two-year logging moratorium in 1976, followed by a salvage operation from 1978 to 1986 to remove dead fir trees while protecting other species.
Who currently helps manage the harvesting activity in the Second College Grant?
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is actively involved in the location, design, and methodology of harvesting to ensure the forest is managed for the benefit of wildlife.
What happened to the Hell Gate Gorge cabin?
The cabin, built in 1974, burned down in 2019 due to a chimney fire while guests, including Colin Van Ostern, were staying there.