The rugged profile of New Hampshire's Old Man of the Mountain looking out across a dated map of Franconia notch that has the word "Gone Overnight" written on it with an arrow mysteriously pointed towards the stone profile

What Happened to New England’s Most Iconic Landmark?

The Old Man of the Mountain collapsed in 2003—but its face still appears everywhere across New Hampshire. Why?

The Old Man of the Mountain, a stone face carved by nature, stood sentinel over New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains for centuries. On May 3, 2003, he collapsed. Decades later, his face is still everywhere… but why?

Join us as we explore the history, legacy, and significance of the Old Man of the Mountain — one of New England’s most iconic landmarks. From its discovery in 1805 to its sudden collapse in 2003, we follow the story of this legendary rock formation that became a cultural symbol and helped shape New Hampshire’s identity.

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Kolya Partan

Kolya currently coordinates communications at Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust -- a regional land trust that has helped protect over 40,000 acres in North-Central Massachusetts. He has a background in digital media and completed his B.A. in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross in 2022, after which he spent two years working as a conservation corps field leader in Colorado and Maine. Kolya is passionate about connecting people with the land, and he’s an avid outdoorsman, likes to hike, fish and write in his free time.

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