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This original drawing by Marion Gorham was created for the History.

The Montpelier Section recently announced the publication of A Capital Section: The History of the Green Mountain Club’s Montpelier Section 1955-2005 by Reidun Nuquist. It was written to mark the section’s fiftieth anniversary and the result is a comprehensive history based on research in club and section archives as well as on personal interviews and correspondence.

Although details from the formative years are sparse, records indicate that section members performed trail work in 1956 and 1957. The inaugural outing, a sugar-on-snow-party, was replicated in 2005 (see the report.) As the membership grew, the section assumed more responsibility for maintaining portions of the Long Trail, and the number and variety of outings expanded. Favorite destinations have included Camel’s Hump, Mt. Mansfield and the Worcester Range. Oyster stew (a recipe is included) hikes are legendary and members have enjoyed mystery walks, holiday parties, and bike, ski, canoe and kayak trips. To describe the outings, Reidun often uses quotes from trip reports which make them informative as well as entertaining.

The history is arranged in nine chapters each of which has a catchy title. In addition to outings, trails, and shelters work, they cover meetings, members and membership, and the nitty-gritty of the section’s business. In a chapter titled “Giants”, tribute is made to four deceased section members who made extraordinary contributions to the club and to the section. Articles reprinted from the Long Trail News and Trail Talk, and an unpublished eulogy, honor Eugene Bamforth, Frances Holmes, Harlan Farnsworth, and David Morse.

Reidun writes in the “Homes on the Trail” chapter, our section has been a presence in the Smugglers’ Notch area since the 1950s. The present shelter, completed in 2005 by section volunteers, was preceded by two lodges and a shelter whose demise was due to vandals and the elements respectively. Nearby Watson Camp, a structure whose “days are numbered”, is remembered in an amusing piece that describes the great composting bin caper.

Section presence on Camel’s Hump is shorter but nonetheless important. The Bamforth Ridge Shelter, dedicated in 2002, replaced Gorham Lodge although it was in a different location. Section volunteers not only conducted “several scouting trips” to select a site, but also “built a privy, three tent platforms, cleared and blazed the new 0.2 mile access trail from the LT.”

For those who enjoy lists there are many to study. The appendixes include section officers as well as end-to-end’ers. In the text there are lists of the most active members and trip leaders, and speakers at both annual meetings and section- sponsored Taylor series lectures. The inclusion of these may well solve some friendly arguments!

In spite of the daunting task of gathering a vast amount of information, Reidun has produced a history that is well organized, clearly written, and fun to read. A generous number of black and white photographs and several line drawings enhance the text. Browsers and researchers alike will appreciate the index and a list of sources.

Copies are available from: Reidun Nuquist (no mailing) at 29 Bailey Avenue, Montpelier, VT 05602 for $8.00; or by mail from Steve Lightholder for $11.50. His address is 40 Beacon Street, Barre, VT 05641, (802) 479-2304. Please make checks payable to the Montpelier Section/Green Mountain Club.