Michael J. Maddigan Knihy

"Lying at the heart of Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume has enthralled travelers since the first decades of the nineteenth century. Early tourists like Emerson and Thoreau were awed by the gorge's wild grandeur and spectacular granite walls rising nearly ninety feet overhead. Railroads in the 1850s brought a flood of visitors, including artists, poets, scientists and photographers, who richly documented the natural splendor of the Flume. Since that time, the Flume has become one of New Hampshire's most popular attractions, drawing thousands to view its beauty each year. Join historian Michael J. Maddigan as he explores the fascinating history of one of New Hampshire's most beloved scenic treasures"--Back cover.

"A history of how herring shaped the culture and society of towns along the Nemasket River in Massachusetts"--

South Middleborough explores one of the major villages that comprise the town of Middleborough, Massachusetts. Michael Maddigan recounts the history of the town from its founding to present day. He includes the tale of Revolutionary War veteran Samuel Smith who attempted to halt the progress of the railroad by facing down a locomotive in 1848 and a feisty candy maker, Lucy Braley, who challenged Massachusetts' blue laws" in the 1960s. The town was initially settled as a Baptist community following King Philip's war and struggled through a personality conflict between its religious leaders who threated to tear the community apart."

Once known as MCI-Bridgewater and earlier as the Massachusetts State Farm, the Bridgewater Correctional Complex opened in 1854. It was one of several progressive charitable institutions the state created as a model for communities around the world. However, deteriorating conditions for its residents shadowed Bridgewater's evolution from an almshouse to a prison and hospital for the criminally insane. A century later, it was among the nation's most notorious asylums. Historian Michael J. Maddigan offers a riveting examination of this infamous history, including the inspiration for state-sponsored welfare, moral and legal challenges and the experiences of the people who lived and worked there.

Inaugurated in 1877 as a camp meeting ground by eastern Massachusetts residents who believed in communication with the dead, Onset quickly emerged as the nation's leading spiritualist summer community. By 1900, however, spiritualism had been overwhelmed by an influx of tourists, and Onset subsequently developed as a secular summer resort noted for its scenic bluffs, recredational pursuits, and beaches. At this same time, neighboring Point Independence found wide appeal among middle-class vacationers interested in swimming, sailing, and relaxation.