History & Timeline - Camp Mowglis

1902

Origins

Elizabeth Ford Holt in front of Jungle House 1905

The establishment of Camp Mowglis was the result of the convergence of the positive experience of a young man at a camp, his mother’s vision, a famous author’s imagination, and association with her friends who knew, loved, and purchased land around a beautiful lake. The camp movement had just begun, promoting vigorous outdoor experiences for urban children. Elizabeth Ford Holt was among the earliest to buy property to start a girls’ camp (Redcroft 1900) and, up the road, a boys’ camp (Mowglis 1902).

1903

The Kipling Connection

Kipling Portrait - Elizabeth Ford Holt

Mrs. Holt received permission from Rudyard Kipling (who had lived in Vermont) to use the Jungle Book theme and names of characters to define the Camp’s identity. It was, however, more than a theme, it was the spirit and the philosophy that permeated the activities and culture of Mowglis. Kipling suggested the use of the plural form of Mowgli (Mowglis) given the number of boys who would attend.

The Boys

All Camp 1903

Our first season had an enrollment of 10 campers. There was a great deal of interaction amongst Mowglis, Redcroft (Mrs. Holt’s girls camp), and Pasquaney, including beating Pasquaney our first summer in Baseball! The activities during Mowglis’ early years were largely sports, hiking, fishing, and swimming. The first summer included a crew race using boats that resembled large rowboats with four oarsman (two rows of two, side by side) and a rudder-man. There were no lights, well pumps, or refrigeration in 1903. In fact, there was no electricity at all.

Poem by Elizabeth Ford Holt

Mrs. Holt wrote the poem, “There’s a Trail that Thou Must Follow,” which became our first song, followed by “The Graduates’ Hymn.” 1903 was also the first ‘Sports Day’ and the first recognition of camper achievement in the ‘General Excellence Boy’.

General Excellence Award

1903-1924

The Holt Era

Camping Skills 1916

Mrs. Holt focused on designing the program, recruiting staff and boys, blazing trails, and raising dormitories and infrastructure. Most of today’s buildings date from her era. Hiking, singing, watersports, 15-mile walks to Plymouth for haircuts(!), crew and the multiday Long Trip were all features of a boy’s summer, many of which remain. It was also during this time that the Cub program for younger boys was born. Go to THE HOLT ERA to learn more about how the Camp grew and boys lived at Mowglis more than a century ago!

1904

Horse-drawn wagon

This was a time of building. The center of the old Sugar House was renovated with windows, doors, and a floor, initiating what would become the Den, named for the home of the Pack in the Jungle Book. An outdoor Dining Room was built on the west side of the Jungle House. With few trees, the boys and staff could clearly see Bear Mountain, the Big and Little Sugarloaf, and beyond. Land was levelled for the Upper Tennis Court. The Campfire Circle was created and became an enduring feature of camp life. A large barn and a poultry house were built. Mrs. Holt’s son Ford became Assistant Director, under whom the boys and staff walked eight miles to Plymouth for haircuts and ice cream, and then walked back! The only vehicle at the time was a horse-drawn cart.

Ford Holt

1905

The Lair/Kipling

Three junior staff – Alcott and Bruce Elwell and Louis Grandgent – lived in Khaki Tent, the site of the modern-day Panther, named after Bagheera. From the tent platform, Alcott Elwell (later Colonel Elwell) was able to touch the top of an abutting 12’ Pine. This would become the iconic ‘Colonel’s Pine.’ The Lair, also known as Cub House, Club House and Bug House, was built as a dormitory near the Cave. During this period, the Jungle House was further expanded with the addition of two living rooms. An old boat house from Masquebec was skidded across the frozen lake in winter to become the center portion of Waingunga, initially located on the future site of Hope-To-Be. Other firsts were ‘The Long Trip’ to Waterville and a 3 ½ Horsepower ‘Launch,’ the first gasoline motorboat on the lake.

Waingunga

Jungle House with Elizabeth Ford Holt

Baseball 1905

1906

Ford Holt and Fast Squad on Mt Lafayette 1906

The enrollment had surged to thirty-three boys filling three wooden dormitories – the Cave, the Lair, and the Den and the Panther tent. Over a period of two months, men built Gray Brothers Field by hand, and land was cleared for the first Chapel in the same location where it remains today. Camp activities continued including baseball, water sports, hiking, and Long Trips.

Chapel in the Woods

1907

First Howl 1907

The first Howl was published. Reading it now, you will notice that there are no photographs or writings from the boys, but it reflects the existence of Duties and Inspection, reading in the dormitories, a synopsis for every day of the summer, and the names and addresses of all the campers and staff. Most significant is Mrs. Holt’s exceedingly well-written vision and philosophy for the Camp, and what could be expected for all who came. Hope-To-Be was built on the waterfront and the original part of Waingunga was moved to its current location. The center portion of Headquarters, which served as the early Council Room and Mrs. Holt’s Office, was built in its current location and the first Chapel was constructed, largely of wood. The Lantern House was built at the entrance to the camp property, and the Canoe House and Wood Working Shop were built near the present-day canoe racks at the Waterfront; all three now long gone.

Ford Holt and boys at Tri Pyramid Mt 1907

1909

All Camp 1909

There were thirty-eight boys, again all of the staff coming from Harvard and Trinity. A rough road was carved out from the Jungle House to the lake, an addition was made to the south end of Den, and a tent called Toomai was erected near Ford Hall. The first ‘Fancy Dress Ball’ was held in Kipling, and the baseball team beat both Camp Wachusett and the Hebron “Speed Kings.”

1910

Crew Race 1910

Crew races were in full swing using 4 rowers and a rudder-man. The Upper Ball Field was built, complete with a baseball diamond. Challenges still remained as players dodged significant boulders in their paths! The poultry house was converted into Cook’s Cottage and Mang, named for the bat and originally a cowshed, was converted into staff quarters.

Den 1910

Writing porch 1910 Panther tent

Mang 1950

Cooks Cottage (contemporary)

All Camp 1910

1911

Kipling Thank you letter 1911

Upon receipt of the Howl, Rudyard Kipling wrote to Mrs. Holt that “results of [the Camp’s] work [will] show in the men who were the boys.” Mowglis received two custom-made crew boats that initiated a more robust rowing program; the Camp divided into the Red and the Blue. The First Ice House was built to store the ice that was cut from the lake each winter and stored to keep foods fresh in the summer.

Jungle House 1911

All Camp 1911

1913-1914

Pump House (contemporary)

A 2,200-gallon water tank and a pump were installed to eliminate the need to carry water from the lake and a pump house was built to shelter the pump. (1913) Both still exist as emergency water supplies . The Garage was built in 1914. The entire Camp walked to Mt. Chocorua, excepting for a boat trip to cross Squam Lake (1913). Though boys in early years came predominantly from Boston, in 1914 Mowglis extended its reach to Omaha, Chicago, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. 1914 also saw the first ascent by Mowglis boys of Mt. Washington.

Garage (contemporary)

1915

Craft shop

A fourth dorm, Toomai, named for the elephant handler, was built as was the Craft Shop and the Weather Bureau House. Weather proved to be an extremely popular industry.

1917

Kipling

Kipling was expanded and the Chapel was improved with substantial benches and a wooden tower with a bronze bell named for Mathew Baird. A recent graduate, he spearheaded the casting of the bell from melted coins collected from boys and staff.
“Ring Chapel Bell, through Jungle Woods. Ring out the shadow of Shere Khan. Ring in the Brotherhood of Man. Ring, Ring your message through these woods.”
– Elizabeth Ford Holt

Chapel with Bell Tower

1917-1918

Capt. Elwell 1917

Eighty Mowglis alumni as well as Asst. Director Capt. Alcott Farrar Elwell served in World War I.

1918

1918 Baloo

Baloo, named for the old wise bear who taught the wolf cubs the Laws of the Jungle, was built to replace a tent and the barn was transformed into the Lodge (Infirmary) by Stanley Elwell. The Jungle House Dining Hall and kitchen were vastly enlarged to their current configuration.

Lodge shortly after it's conversion 1917

1918 All Camp

1918 Exterior of expanded Dining Hall Jungle House

1919 Interior expanded dining hall

1919

1919 Honor House

The Honor House was built to commemorate the veterans of World War I. Housing photos of men and battlefield souvenirs; it originally stood on the current site of Gray Brothers Hall. The Inner Circle was created, and the Athletic House was built to store equipment near Gray Brothers Field. Col. Elwell became the Assistant Director.

Campfire with Inner Circle 1922

1920

Red Cross House (contemporary)

A major programmatic shift occurred when Cubs, the youngest boys, were separated from the Pack, taking over Ford and Kipling Hall. The Red Cross house was built to allow for doctor visits, weights, and height measures; an indication of the concern for the development of healthy young men. The Den Song was written by C. E. Hadley.

Den Song

1921

Map of Mowglis 1921

Cubland field and Campfire circles were built, thus completing a separate environment for the youngest boys. At the request of the New Hampshire Forestry Dept., Mowglis took responsibility for the Groton-Orange Trail, which had been obscured by wartime clear cutting. The US Geological Survey renamed the route the Mowglis Trail. This began a long tradition of Mowglis’ involvement in trail clearing and maintenance in the area.

1922

1921 Gray Brothers

Gray Brothers Hall, named for Mowgli’s cub-brother, was built. Col. Elwell established the concept of “industries” which though not academic, challenged boys to become knowledgeable and proficient in a range of activities. Ultimately a boy could earn a colored “Ribbon” aka Husky Mark as proof of achievement. Achievements, provided entry to the Inner Circle at Campfire. Industries still remain the backbone of the Mowglis program. Electricity came to Mowglis in 1922

1924

Wood Shed (contemporary)

Col. Elwell added “School of the Open” to the Camp’s name, to emphasize that Mowglis instills proficiency, not merely exposure, to a range of activities. The Wood Shed, aka the Axe Yard, was constructed.

1925

Portrait Col. Elwell and Mrs. Ford Holt

Mrs. Holt died February, 1925 and Col. Elwell became the owner and director of Mowglis. Elwell earned his Doctorate in Education from Harvard upon the acceptance of his thesis entitled The Summer Camp – A New Factor in Education. His philosophy of Education still permeates Mowglis traditions and culture.

Letter from Rudyard Kipling to Elizabeth Ford Holt

Unaware of Mrs. Holt’s death, Kipling wrote that the recent Howl caused him to “admire the spirit that made so magnificent and helpful work grow out of such a tiny little seed of a name.

1925 All Camp

1925-1953

The Elwell Era

Trail Work 1929

Col. Alcott Elwell became Assistant Director in 1920 with Mrs. Holt and began to influence the development of the Camp program. His academic and military backgrounds are strongly reflected in the values Mowglis holds today. It was Col. Elwell who formalized “Industries” to develop boys’ in-depth skills in their chosen activities and who added “School of the Open” to Mowglis’ name. He became Director after Mrs. Holt’s death in 1925. Go to THE ELWELL ERA to learn more about camp life during that time including people like Wah-Pah-Nah-Yah!

1926

Architectural drawings of Chapel by Blackall and Elwell Architects, Boston

Changes were proposed for the Chapel of the Woods in memory of Mrs. Holt. Panther dorm, named for Bagheera the black panther, was built to accommodate older boys, replacing a tent erected in 1906. The Camp continued to thrive under Elwell’s direction.

Panther interior

Winning Blue Crew

Campfire Circle 1926

1927

Letter from Col. Elwell to Kipling

The pronunciation of Mowglis was a conundrum even in the early years as it remains today. Col. Elwell wrote Kipling requesting a definitive answer. Kipling’s secretary confirms that the first syllable of “Mowglis” rhymes with “cow.” In an earlier correspondence, Kipling had affirmed that the “s” in Mowglis is silent.

Letter From Kipling's secretary

1927-1928

Chapel of the Woods 1928

The present configuration of the Elizabeth Ford Holt Chapel of the Woods was constructed under the direction of Alcott Elwell, Gaius W. Merwin, J. Tyson Stokes and Stanley Elwell (architect). Built of stone, it featured a staircase, entry gate, retaining walls and upended boulders. The granite was obtained locally (Tenney Hill) and trees were harvested from Camp property for the benches. The new design included a memorial stone altar and the Baird Bell. The final cost was $3500.

1928

A Special Field Trip

Autograph from Chinook, sled dog on Antactic Expedition

Ninety-four boys enrolled for the summer. Some twenty Mowglis boys and Col. and Mrs. Elwell visited the kennels in Wonalancet where sled dogs were in training for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition later that year.Camp photos document the awareness of and involvement in current events.

Lane Blackwell's Howl entry. 1928 Baloo

John Scott's Howl entry 1928 S. Kipling

Rawhiding the sleds

South Pole tents

Mowglis was deeply connected to major events in the world especially when they involved exploration and nature.

Mt. Washington hike

The Mt. Washington Squad enjoyed the snow in August on the upper reaches of the Six Husbands Trail. In the Howl of that year, it was reported that they enjoyed a snowball fight!

Hiking Song

The Mowglis Hiking Song’s lyrics were composed on the summit of Mt. Jefferson by William G. Land.

1929

Fancy Dress Ball

The boys at the Fancy Dress Ball, started in 1911, were encouraged to be totally self reliant in making their costumes this year and it was a great success. Crew continued as a major feature and Mowglis continued to establish its presence as trailblazers in the White Mountains.

Crew boat

Trail maintenance

1930

Horseback riding

Horseback riding was introduced and 45 boys participated under the supervision of Mr. A. W. Stuart.

Amphibean at Camp Mowglis!

Spirit of Camp Mowglis

Col. Elwell map of Camp Mowglis

1931

Packing for a trip

A custom 1½ ton Ford truck with extra-long wheelbase was purchased for camping trips.

1932

Mr. William B. Hart

William B Hart was hired to run the Mowglis Music Program, including an 18-player orchestra. This began a decades-long relationship between him, his family, and the camp.

1933

Boating Song

Both the Boating Song by Wilton E. Henley and the Akela Song by William Eareckson were written.

Blue Racing crew 1933

Mr. Spock Crew Coach 1934

Akela

Akela Song

1937

The Rifle Range was expanded with a gift from the wife of Stanley Elwell.

Stanley Bruce Elwell

1938

Telegram after fire. George Cruickshank was the financial secretary for the camp.

In the summer of 1938, Gray Brothers burned to the ground resulting in the deaths of 2 junior counselors who were sleeping there. The cause of the fire was never established and was contained to Gray Brothers Hall. Other dorms and staff were safely evacuated until the danger passed. Parents were urged to allow their sons to remain in camp and finish the summer as usual. Resilient as always, the staff and boys carried on.

All Camp

From Carrie Kipling, Rudyard Kipling's wife.

1939

Gray Brothers rebuilt

Gray Brothers was rebuilt with much of the funding provided by current and former campers. The Great New England Hurricane (1938) blew down a large number of trees that were reclaimed and milled into lumber for the new building. Mrs. Robert Blake, whose son Robert Clement Blake, Jr died in the fire, donated $1000 to establish a library in his memory.

Mssrs. West and Merriman

Walter Richard West Sr., also known by his native name Wah-pah-nah-yah, arrived in 1939 as a counselor. He shared his art and culture and thus began a lifelong relationship with Mowglis. His art still graces Gray Brother’s Hall. He remained at Mowglis as a counselor for 4 years but remains a Mowglis legend to this day.

Wah-pah-nah-yah on horseback at Mowglis

Portrait of Wah-pah-nah-yah

1940

Dick West painting the stage curtain in Gray Brothers Hall

Dick West painted the stage curtain and side panels in Gray Brothers Hall using themes from the Jungle book. These were unique departures from all other art that he did during his lifetime. As one boy remarked in a Howl, “These pictures make a great improvement over the blank screen we have seen every time we went into Gray Brothers.”(F. Lane)

Completed stage curtain

1943

Letter of Elwell rejoining the Army

Alcott Elwell closed Mowglis for the duration of World War II and at age 56, rejoined the Army.

1945

Col Elwell in front of Lodge

Col. Elwell reopened Mowglis and remained Director for 8 more years. The Howl, however, was not published again during that time.

Crew on Newfound Lake 1946

Map of Mowglis Hiking Trails in White Mountains

HMS Pinafore 1950

All Camp 1952

1953

All Camp 1953

The Camp was sold to Elwell’s assistant director, Darwin Kingsley III, who served as Director through 1957. Kingsley was a graduate of Yale who studied and worked in education as Director of Admissions and teaching Latin for Fay School of Southborough, MA. As Director of Mowglis, he developed Baloo Cove, the waterfront used for younger boys, and also moved the former Honor House to Baloo Cove Road, where it was upgraded to become the cottage now known as Hathi. Despite his efforts, the Camp fell into debt.

1954-1962

The Interlude Years

Tetherball and Dorms 1956

While the historical record for this period is thin, we know that the Camp was bought and sold twice. Darwin P. Kingsley, III, a former counselor and assistant director, bought the camp from Col. Elwell in 1953. In 1958, Kingsley sold Mowglis to John C. Adams of Wellesley, Massachusetts, an executive with Boy Scouts of America. Go to THE INTERLUDE YEARS to learn more about their distinctive contributions during their tenures.

1958

Mowglis Prayer and Adams business card

John Adams acquired Mowglis and became Director. Adams had worked for the Boy Scouts of America and had long desired to run a camp of his own. Adams increased the athletic programs at the Camp. Adams can also be credited with reinstating the Howl, an important account and photo record of the boys’ experiences at Mowglis. He also launched the Yearling Program. He suffered a skiing accident before the summer of 1961 and as the Camp became more financially untenable, Adams began to contemplate closing Mowglis.

All Camp 1958

1961

Yearlings 1961 Started by Mr. Adams

In September, Adams made the decision to close the camp. Enrollment had fallen, and he was struggling to pay off creditors, so reluctantly planned to sell.

1962

Gravestone of Alcott Farrar Elwell

Alcott Elwell died and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with William B. Hart in attendance. Shortly after the service, Joseph Beckford, Assistant Director under Adams contacted Hart in an effort to keep Mowglis open. In turn Hart contacted William MacDonald, a Counselor from the 1940s and currently with First National Bank of Boston and Tyson Stokes, a lawyer (Mowglis 1917-1928)

1962

Articles of Association

July 13, the Holt-Elwell Memorial foundation was formed to run Mowglis as a non-profit organization and the Trustees held their first meeting. The following alumni or former counselors were elected officers : J. Tyson Stokes, President, Gaius W, Merwin, Sr., Vice-President, William I. MacDonald, Treasurer, and Fred I. Kent II, Secretary. William B. Hart was selected to be the Foundation’s first Director of Mowglis. An option agreement to purchase Mowglis from Adams was approved. Articles of Association were filed with the Town of Hebron and the State of New Hampshire. A vast fundraising campaign was launched among alumni and friends to save Mowglis.

On November 13 the closing takes place for the transfer of the Mowglis property from John C and Virginia Adams to the Holt-Elwell Memorial Foundation. The deed was recorded at the Grafton County Registry of Deeds the following day. Along the way, Adams substantially reduced the sales price, Kingsley reduced the second mortgage, and Mrs. Elwell entirely foregave her loan (second mortgage) of $25,000.

1963

Main dining room

Mowglis opened its first summer as a non-profit, with William B. Hart as Director. The guiding principles and traditions were those of Mrs. Holt and Col. Elwell. Throughout this massive change in organizational structure, camp-life continued seamlessly and without impact on the program or the boys experience.

Bill Hart as new Director, at his desk

1963-Present

The Holt-Elwell Foundation Era

Toomai Dorm Pic 1983

John Adams’ personal injury, low enrollment, and financial strain forced the sale of Mowglis again in 1962. Adams could have sold to a developer but he wanted to preserve Mowglis as a camp. The death of Col Elwell in 1962 brought together many formidable Mowglis men who forged a plan to save the Camp and put it on a firm footing for the future. The non-profit Holt-Elwell Memorial Foundation was founded and continues to underpin and support Camp Mowglis. Go to THE HOLT-ELWELL FOUNDATION ERA to learn how Mowglis has flourished since then!