Published: March 30, 2008 11:25 pm      

Peary observances planned

CRESSON — Next year at this time, the 100th anniversary of the first man to reach the North Pole – a hometown hero – will be observed. Plans are in the works for a series of local events geared at celebrating the life of the man credited with the discovery.

Admiral Robert Edwin Peary, the man who first reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909, was born in a two-story house in what was then Washington Township – now Cresson Township.

The explorer was born on May 6, 1856, to Charles and Mary Wiley Peary, who moved to the Cresson area from Maine to take advantage of an abundant supply of beech and oak to start a barrel-making business.

Charles Peary died of pneumonia when his son was 3 and the family returned to their native Maine.

Records show that Peary graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, and soon entered the U.S. Navy.

The enlistment landed him in Nicaragua as a civil engineer, where it is said the intense heat ignited in him a lifelong passion for the Arctic and the North Pole.

“What our emphasis is going to be is on his passion for discovery,” said Etta Albright of the Cresson Area Historical Association.

“None of us are historians. But we want to say that this man had an extraordinary passion for discovery with the North Pole as his goal.”

The first events will be held this year.

On April 6, the recently produced movie “Admiral Robert E. Peary: The Man and His Island” will be shown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site of the National Park Service. The site is just off Route 22 at the Gallitzin exit.

The 48-minute movie was written and produced by members of the Friends of Peary’s Eagle Island. The organization of 4,000 members has as its mission to preserve Peary’s summer home, which he had built in 1904 on the northern end of the 21-acre island, 2 miles off the coast of Maine.

Events planned next year include a dinner and possibly a dog sled event, marking Peary’s means of transportation across the hundreds of miles of frozen Arctic tundra.

Historical association members are looking to other civic and community organizations for ideas and help in planning the yearlong event, said Dorothy DeAngelo.

“It’s important to pass on the history to the children who live in the community,” said DeAngelo, historical association treasurer. “We need to recognize the achievement of the individuals born here and realize the possibilities that exist.”

Celebrating his life and accomplishments is only fitting for a man who gave so much, said Harry Rich, president of the Eagle Island preservation group.

“He is the foremost Arctic explorer in our history and, in fact, the world,” Rich said. “He persevered in the most extreme conditions. He lost toes. He survived in temperatures 70 degrees below zero.”

In fact, Peary lost eight toes to frostbite in his drive to be the first person to reach the North Pole. His passion for this Arctic extreme began decades before the discovery, Rich said.

“He took 23 years to study the ways of the Eskimos. He adapted their way of travel; he adapted their way of dress,” he said.

To this day, the area continues to show the Peary connection in many ways.

His discovery is behind the creation of the Pearyburger at PJ’s Restaurant in Cresson Township, the Peary Room at the Cresson American Legion, Admiral Peary Area Vocational Technical School outside Ebensburg and Admiral Peary Highway – Old Route 22.

A more visible sign of the pride is in Peary Memorial Park, a 3-acre tract on Admiral Peary Highway across from Mount Aloysius College.

The park was dedicated in October 1937 and features a statue of Peary and a sled dog.

While controversy exists to this day regarding Peary’s North Pole triumph, locals as well as the Eagle Island group say they’ve moved past the widely disputed claims made by explorer Frederick Cook – who said he reached the North Pole the year before.

“There is absolutely no doubt. There is no documentation for Cook and even the Eskimos said Peary was the first,” Rich said.

“We’ve decided we no longer refute it (Cook’s claim). It’s an exercise in futility.”



Admiral Robert Edwin Peary

Then ...

• First man to reach the North Pole, April 9, 1909.

• Born in Cresson in 1856 and moved with his family to Maine when he was 3.

• Made six expeditions to the Arctic – including two failed attempts to reach the North Pole.

• Lost eight toes as a result of his efforts.

• Died in 1920 at age 63.

... And now

• First of a number of celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Peary’s achievement.

• April 6 showing of recently produced movie: “Admiral Robert Peary: The Man and His Island.” Showings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Visitors Center Auditorium of the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, at Gallitzin Exit of Route 22.

• Complimentary tickets reserved by calling 886-7311.