Cultural Life
Since artists first journeyed to the Valley over a century ago, the arts have been an important part of the life of the area. The Valley served as the foundation for the White Mountain School of Landscape Art beginning in 1850 when artists Benjamin Champney and John Kensett traveled through the Mt. Washington Valley sketching the area's dramatic scenery. The art community continues to thrive.
The
tradition of strong visual and performing arts in the Valley continues. The Valley
boasts three community theatres: Barnstormers
in Tamworth; the Eastern Slope Playhouse in North Conway Village (tel. (603) 356-5776),
and M&D
Productions in Conway. Summer stock companies fill the vacation calendar
while community theatre productions offer off-season performances. The Valleys
annual calendar is full of festivals, and special events, including the Equine
Festival, the circus, rodeos, and symphony concerts in the park. There are also
six movie theaters featuring current box office films. A local choral society
and town band welcome new members and perform a number of concerts throughout
the year.
Public libraries are found
in most communities. Websites include those for the libraries in
Conway,
Freedom,
Jackson,
Madison,
North Conway,
Ossipee,
and Tamworth, New
Hampshire, and Brownfield, Maine. Basic information about the libraries at
Bartlett
and Chocorua,
New Hampshire, and Fryeburg, Maine can be found at the LibraryBug website.
The
area also provides a wide array of cultural organizations and events.
Many residents also visit regional cultural centers which are well within reasonable driving distances. Examples include: Portland, ME (62 miles), Manchester, NH (94 miles), Boston, MA (131 miles) and Montreal, Quebec (221 miles).
Churches
There are many churches in both Carroll County, NH and in Oxford County, ME.
Civic Organizations
- Kiwanis International - North Conway
- Lions Clubs International - Fryeburg Area, tel. 207-935-2678
- Rotary International - Fryeburg Area, tel. 207-935-3341
- Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Town of Fryeburg, ME