A Tribute to Walter Harding
A long, descriptive, and heartfelt obituary detailing the enormous influence Harding had on the Thoreau Society, and Harding's personal search for Thoreau.
The mature and aesthetic appearance of this modern publication of the Thoreau Society Bulletin is a far cry from the simple type-written affair which Harding produced, but the Society is clearly still in touch with its roots. This article speaks to how central Harding was to it, and notes his considerable academic accomplishments and progress in the field of Thoreauvian study, but the most moving sentiment is the focus on the personal relationships Harding still maintained within the Society.
Witherell, Elizabeth
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #215
The Thoreau Society
1996
Casey Vincelette
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The Thoreau Society's Foundation: The First Meeting
The first meeting of the Thoreau Society. Notable among those pictured are Rev. Roland D. Sawyer, Raymond Adams, and Allen French, whom Harding wrote of frequently.
From the files of Walter Harding, this photograph depicts some of the founding members of the Thoreau Society, whom Harding was so fond of reminiscing on.
Harding, Walter
The Concord Saunterer, N.S. Volume 3
The Thoreau Society
1941-07-12
Casey Vincelette
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Thoreau Society of America. Bulletin.
A small flier advertising a compilation of the Thoreau Society Bulletins, published by Johnson Reprint Corporation.
The devoted work which Harding put into his homemade bulletins can now been seen in published volumes, courtesy of the Thoreau Society.
The Thoreau Society
Johnson Reprint Corporation
Unknown
Casey Vincelette
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English
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The Thoreau Society Bulletin #2
Although still very basic in format, Harding's organization of the second Thoreau Society Bulletin is meticulous and shows a great enthusiasm for his duty.
An interesting contrast arises when this bulletin is compared to the first one, which had been published the previous year. There seems to be more direction and structure, and the activities of the Thoreau Society seem more clear. The evolution of the society is evident as its bulletins advance in complexity, especially within the very early stages of development.
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #2
The Thoreau Society
1942-01
Casey Vincelette
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The Thoreau Society Bulletin #1
The first ever Thoreau Society Bulletin shows the initial intentions of Harding and the other charter members, who had very recently met for the first time.
As a creation of the very early days of the Thoreau Society, this bulletin gives a fascinating glimpse into the process of the organization coming into being. At the time of this publication, the Thoreau Society was still in its formative stages, and much was uncertain. Harding's writing shows some uncertainty, but great enthusiasm.
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #1
The Thoreau Society
1941-10
Casey Vincelette
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The Thoreau Society: A History
Apparently by popular demand, Harding addresses the familiar tale of the Thoreau Society's formation to the society itself, which, from his writing, we can tell has evolved into a new generation, with Harding still in his position of secretary.
In four parts, Harding reminisces on the roots of the Thoreau Society for the enjoyment and reflection of his fellow members. Inserted among other Thoreau-related items in the semiannual bulletin, this casual and personal reflection is a shortened version of the much longer account that Harding is prone to use for various purposes (i.e. The Concord Saunterer's "A Rambling History of the Thoreau Society")
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin
The Thoreau Society
Unknown
Casey Vincelette
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Thoughts on Editing Bulletin 150
Harding commemorates the 150th Bulletin with a brief reflection about the very first publication and how it came to be.
A very condensed version of Harding's tale of the Thoreau Society's beginnings, this blurb appeared as the front page article in the 150th Thoreau Society Bulletin. It is a personal but brisk recollection from Harding's perspective, and is a summary of the more detailed accounts he gives elsewhere. The milestone of 150 issues was clearly significant enough to him that it called for a brief meditation, at least.
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #150
The Thoreau Society
1980
Casey Vincelette
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The Early Days of the Thoreau Society
Harding's summary of 50 years of his work as secretary of the Thoreau Society, some of the colorful characters he's met and the early events which led to the Thoreau Society's formation.
One of the last memoirs that Harding would write on the origins of the Thoreau Society, the decades of hindsight between Harding's account and the events he describe allow him to recount many events familiar to those who have read a great deal of Harding's writings on this subject. However, he sums up this account with some amount of closure: he mentions his stepping down from the role of secretary after 50 years and thanks those who have made his time enjoyable. This seems to be one of the most complete summaries of the Thoreau Society's early years by Harding. It may be a manuscript used to create Harding's article entitled "A Rambling History of the Thoreau Society," published in the Concord Saunterer in 1995. This would imply that Harding felt it necessary to write down his thoughts on his experience in the Thoreau Society just to have them for himself.
Harding, Walter
Walter Harding Collection at Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo: archive LD 3840 G48 H37, Box 1, Folder: Manuscripts, Folder 1.
State University of New York at Geneseo
1991
Casey Vincelette
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Thoreau Society Bulletin-- Gandhi and Thoreau
A summation of Thoreau's considerable influence on the recently deceased Mahatma Gandhi
Harding was highly involved in his role as secretary, and used the Thoreau Society Bulletin to talk about important contemporary events--such as the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi--through the lens of Thoreauvian thought.
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #23
The Thoreau Society
1948-04
Casey Vincelette
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The Concord Summer Seminars
Announcement in the 180th Thoreau Society Bulletin of the Last of the Concord Summer Seminars, a course which Harding taught.
What began as a summer course for Geneseo students became a wide-reaching retreat with many scholarly works stemming from the inspiration which Harding provided. The same drive which led him to found the Thoreau Society continued to drive other, similar projects which involved Harding sharing his expertise with others. His summation of his experience with the program, published in the Thoreau Society Bulletin, shares his highly relevant work with the rest of the society.
Harding, Walter
The Thoreau Society Bulletin #180
The Thoreau Society
1987
Casey Vincelette
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