Apr. 4 Arctic Symposium Looks at Peary's North Pole Expedition

Story posted April 03, 2009

On Saturday, April 4, 2009, the public is invited to attend a special symposium at Bowdoin College that will take a close look at Robert Peary's North Pole expedition of 1908-1909.

"Peary's Quest for the Pole: A Symposium in Celebration of Peary's 1908-1909 North Pole Expedition" will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Smith Auditorium, Sills Hall, on the Bowdoin College campus. Admission is free and no registration is required.

This all-day symposium offers a series of short papers that examine aspects of Peary's historic expedition and reflect upon its legacy. Individual presentations will examine Peary's technological innovations, his debt to the people of the High Arctic (the Inughuit) and the impact of his expeditions on Inughuit culture, the Arctic careers of Josephine Peary and Matthew Henson, the contributions of expedition members Robert Bartlett, George Wardwell, and Donald MacMillan, the motivations of Peary's influential backers and hero-makers, and the history of the Peary-Cook controversy.

Saturday's talks are geared to a general audience, and will highlight new research and discoveries from little-studied sources.

Attendees are welcome to drop in for one or two talks, or to spend the entire day.

The full symposium schedule is available at the Arctic Museum Web site.

For additional information, call 207-725-3416.

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