Ernest Harold Baynes: New Hampshire’s Own Doctor Dolittle

Friends of the Library Lecture Series

Mary Kronenwetter tells the story of wildlife conservationist Ernest Harold Baynes, fondly remembered in New Hampshire as our own Doctor Dolittle.

To the rest of the nation, he is known as an important early 20th century wildlife conservationist. A self-taught naturalist, Baynes wrote and lectured extensively on animal behavior, bird and bison restoration, the role of animals in WWI, and vivisection. Baynes shared his New Hampshire home with tame bear, fox, boar, bison, and wolf. He fought to end the trade in bird feathers for fashion and established one of the first bird sanctuaries in America. While serving as conservator to the Corbin Park bison herd, he convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to support the preserving of the American bison from extinction through the founding of the American Bison Society.

Baynes’ work inspires us to consider how we intervene to help wildlife recover from the harms inflicted on them by humans. This illustrated lecture includes archival Baynes photographs from the Plainfield Historical Society collection.

About Mary Kronenwetter

Mary Kronenwetter holds a doctorate in educational research, policy, and administration and has held academic administration and teaching positions at colleges in the United States, China, and Japan. Upon returning to New England, she has worked at historical sites including Historic Deerfield, Enfield Shaker Museum, and The John Hay Estate at The Fells. Mary currently teaches for OSHER at Dartmouth and Adventures in Learning at Colby-Sawyer and has recently published the New Hampshire-based historical fiction, Pauper Auction.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Peterborough Library who host a monthly lecture.

Find out more about the Friends here: https://peterboroughtownlibrary.org/friends

This month's event is made possible by a generous grant from the NH Humanities. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org 

Please note that library parking is not guaranteed. Patrons who are able are encouraged to take advantage of Peterborough’s walkable downtown by parking in the Depot Square or Riverwalk lots. 

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