Dartmouth students constantly refer to Hanover as "the middle of nowhere." But the reality is that everywhere is somewhere and there is something unique and enduring about even the smallest of towns even Hanover, New Hampshire. Furthermore, Dartmouth is more than just Hanover, there are more than 27,000 more acres of land and properties that the College has accrued since it's founding. Dartmouth is also the largest private landholder in the state of New Hampshire.
Dartmouth owns a great deal of land in New Hampshire. Being one of the state's biggest employers and one of its main sources of revenue the College and its land has a significant impact of New Hampshire as a state.
You might ask: how did Dartmouth come to acquire all of this land?
"Dartmouth has had a positive relationship to the state of New Hampshire reflected in the initial gift of the College Grant," Dan Nelson, the Director of Outdoor Programs Office said.
The first college grant was made in 1770 under the Royal charter of the colony. The second college grant was a gift given by the state of New Hampshire in 1807.
The second college grant has been "subsequently managed as a timberland property, producing revenue for scholarships and other uses of the College" including recreation, sustainable logging, and for educational purposes such as research and internships.
Students, staff and alumni are permitted to make use of the Second College Grant. For recreational purposes it includes 12 cabins on site as part of the DOC. In 2010 so far, 4,261 people have visited the grant.
The Second College Grant works with New Hampshire fish and game to establish wildlife habitat plans, sustain riparian area, and practice sustainable land management.
There are also various properties that Dartmouth owns which were gifts from alumni. Income from rents provides a large part of the endowment revenue.
"I think it gives the College a standing and a presence in the state which is important for many reasons: prestige, political power, etc," Rory Gawler, Program Coordinator for the DOC said.
"Dartmouth has from the very, very beginning had a profound sense of place and when Samson Occum and Eleazar Wheelock founded the College they were looking for a particular type of place," Nelson said.
Dartmouth's location is significant because it fosters an appreciation of nature and its unique location also breeds its unique character. The Appalachian trail runs right through campus.
"There are phenomenal outdoor opportunities all over campus," Gawler said.
He added that the students of Dartmouth are immersed in nature.
"I think it infuses the character of Dartmouth beginning with DOC Freshmen trips and I think it brings a certain type of student to Dartmouth, one who is active, connected to the land, future stewards of the environment and also their fellow man, for neither people nor the earth will survive without each other," Gawler said.
Dartmouth's founders considered placing Dartmouth in Haverhill another town in west central New Hampshire, according to Peter Allen, the Senior Map Room Specialist.
"I often do wonder how that had they made that decision because the College is a huge economic engine in this area," Allen, said.
Allen makes an interesting point that Hanover and its neighboring towns would not be as well developed or wealthy if not for the presence of the College. He points out that if not for Dartmouth, Hanover would have the same status as a neighboring town like Haverhill, a town only about 30 miles away from Hanover.
Hanover is also distinct from the surrounding area because that it is a town whose inhabitants are mostly transplants. That is to say that they are not native New Hampshire residents.
"Being from here it is interesting to see a town that's full of people that don't necessarily have familial ties to the region or deep roots here," Allen said.
But Dartmouth and the surrounding New Hampshire landscape is the common experience or bond that we all share and some grow to love.
Think about it, Dartmouth is situated in the middle of natural resources with access to Appalachian trial, golf course and its own ski area. All you have to do is walk outside to experience the great outdoors, and that's pretty cool.
