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Forum
Oct. 10, 2003 Edition
The
view from the UNH/Durham Station
A guide for Amtrack Downeaster
passengers
The experience of the Downeaster visitor to UNH – Durham,
New Hampshire begins at the historic Durham Station which served
as the original Lynn, Massachusetts Station from 1895 to 1911. This
station was moved to Durham in 1911 and served as the Boston and
Maine RR Passenger Station here until termination of service in
1965. Durham Station today also houses the UNH Dairy Bar, a delightful
breakfast/lunch cafe and server of the best ice cream bargain north
of Boston. (These folks don’t know what “small”
is when it comes to ice cream cones, chosen from a long list of
flavors. And oh those jimmies/sprinkles!)
The big modern white building of contemporary architecture seen
from the east side of the train is the new Whittemore Center (“The
Whit” as it’s called), home to the nationally famous
UNH Wildcats hockey teams, and venue as well for the Boston Pops,
Tony Bennett, Ani Defranco and other star performers. The brightly
lit and brilliant green athletic field in front of “The Whit”
is UNH’s new Memorial Field, hosting women’s field hockey
and lacrosse. Just beyond view is one of the most unique swimming
pools in the U.S., the very large 1937 WPA-built UNH-Durham outdoor
pool. And just beyond the pool, only a short walk from the station,
is the elegantly beautiful New England Center, the work of famous
California architect William Pereira, a hotel-restaurant-conference
center complex which draws folks from as far away as the Boston
area to its fine rooms and famous Sunday and holiday buffet brunches,
all nestled in a tall white pine forest which so well enhances the
natural beauty of this facility. (Architect Pereira was President
Roosevelt’s WWII Chief of Camouflage on the Pacific Coast
and you can readily see how camouflaged the New England Center buildings
are in their site amidst the tall pines – they blend in totally.
At a three minute walk from the train, you can enjoy a meal or overnight
stay in this architectural jewel, including “tree-top”
living in the hotel and dining in one of the top 100 restaurants
in New England. If you require a ride, complimentary transportation
is provided.)
Look also on campus for the historic Thompson Hall – UNH Administration
Building for this 12,000 student university, the oldest building
on campus whose bells can be heard from the train. “T Hall”,
as it’s called, sits amidst a beautiful cluster of 22 buildings
all designed by the distinguished UNH architect Prof. Eric Huddleston,
a prime reason why so many people comment on the great beauty of
the UNH campus (as does the Princeton Review which considers this
one of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S.). A walk across campus
is truly a delight! And don’t forget Graham Gund’s modern
architectural gem, the Dimond Library, main library building of
UNH. Adjacent to Dimond Library across pretty College Brook Natural
Area is the Paul Creative Arts Center and Johnson Theatre, venue
for music, drama, dance and University Art Galleries. The science
buildings and the internationally famous Institute for Earth, Oceans
and Space are also a very short walk from the station.
At the other end of that delightful cross-campus walk is the Town
of Durham Business District and, just beyond and across the Durham
Historic District, stands the oldest Bed and Breakfast Inn in the
United States, the Three Chimneys Inn, on the shore of the Oyster
River. Durham is a Main Street Community, fulfilling the shopping
needs of students and residents alike. Its business district is
marked by the pre-Colonial era Durham Community Church containing
a steeple with bells, it is believed, that greeted the very first
passenger train to arrive in Durham, in the year 1841.
Easy connections are made to the nearby UNH Wildcat and Campus Connector
bus systems. Little Durham offers a big menu indeed to Downeaster
passengers, all a short walk. Welcome!
And remember: passenger rail is the single most ecological way to
travel!
John E. Carroll, professor of
Environmental Conservation
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