Camp Merrimac
Encyclopedia
Camp Merrimac was a mostly Jewish boys and later coed camp
located in Contoocook
, New Hampshire
in the United States
.
In 1919, the patriarchs of the Clough family, Joseph and Sylvia Clough, died. That year the property known as "Cloughville" -- it had been a small town in the 19th century—was sold to Mr. Price and Mr. Pick of New York
, who established a summer camp for Jewish boys on the site. "Cloughville" was changed to "Camp Merrimac", and the first campers arrived at the property in 1921. The camp was in a scenic location at the end of a dirt road on a lake officially known as Clement Pond, but known to generations of Merrimac campers as Lake Josylvia. Several of the old Cloughville buildings survived the transition—the town post office became the camp office. The ice house (built without the use of steel nails) was the head counselor's shack. The town hall housed the mature staff, and a 19th century barn lasted until it fell down one winter about 1960.
Mr. Price and Mr. Pick ran Camp Merrimac until the late 1940s when it was purchased by Abe Beleson, a teacher
at the Bronx High School of Science
. In 1953, Maury Bleifeld became a part owner, and in 1954, Harry Levine bought a share of the camp. In 1957, Werner Rothschild, Robert "Bob" Bomze, and Fred Egre purchased the property.
In 1958, Egre was bought out, and Rothchild and Bomze continued operating the camp. Keeping the name Camp Merrimac, they continued to run a general summer camp
program. One innovation they introduced in the 1960s was to have counselors from England, Sweden, and other European countries. In addition, being physical education teacher
s, they began the New England Hockey Camp and New England Figure Skating Camp. Youth would travel by bus to Concord, New Hampshire
to the Everett Arena
for ice time.
Both boys and girls attended the camp from after World War II until 1998. The majority of campers came from the New York metropolitan area
at first. From the late 1980s until the end campers came from all over the US, and Canada, Mexico and Europe. It was a rather international place.
Nearing retirement, and perhaps a bit exhausted after 40+ summers at camp, Mr. Rothchild and Mr. Martin (as Bomze was then known) were ready to sell. They wanted the property to remain a youth facility. They were searching for a buyer who would continue youth programs. In 1998, the camp was sold to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis
of Boston
, Massachusetts
.
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
located in Contoocook
Contoocook, New Hampshire
Contoocook is a village and census-designated place within the town of Hopkinton in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,444 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In 1919, the patriarchs of the Clough family, Joseph and Sylvia Clough, died. That year the property known as "Cloughville" -- it had been a small town in the 19th century—was sold to Mr. Price and Mr. Pick of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, who established a summer camp for Jewish boys on the site. "Cloughville" was changed to "Camp Merrimac", and the first campers arrived at the property in 1921. The camp was in a scenic location at the end of a dirt road on a lake officially known as Clement Pond, but known to generations of Merrimac campers as Lake Josylvia. Several of the old Cloughville buildings survived the transition—the town post office became the camp office. The ice house (built without the use of steel nails) was the head counselor's shack. The town hall housed the mature staff, and a 19th century barn lasted until it fell down one winter about 1960.
Mr. Price and Mr. Pick ran Camp Merrimac until the late 1940s when it was purchased by Abe Beleson, a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
at the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
. In 1953, Maury Bleifeld became a part owner, and in 1954, Harry Levine bought a share of the camp. In 1957, Werner Rothschild, Robert "Bob" Bomze, and Fred Egre purchased the property.
In 1958, Egre was bought out, and Rothchild and Bomze continued operating the camp. Keeping the name Camp Merrimac, they continued to run a general summer camp
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
program. One innovation they introduced in the 1960s was to have counselors from England, Sweden, and other European countries. In addition, being physical education teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
s, they began the New England Hockey Camp and New England Figure Skating Camp. Youth would travel by bus to Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
to the Everett Arena
Everett Arena
Everett Arena is an indoor arena in Concord, New Hampshire. It hosted the Northeastern Hockey League's New Hampshire Freedoms in 1979. The arena holds 3,000 people.-References:*...
for ice time.
Both boys and girls attended the camp from after World War II until 1998. The majority of campers came from the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
at first. From the late 1980s until the end campers came from all over the US, and Canada, Mexico and Europe. It was a rather international place.
Nearing retirement, and perhaps a bit exhausted after 40+ summers at camp, Mr. Rothchild and Mr. Martin (as Bomze was then known) were ready to sell. They wanted the property to remain a youth facility. They were searching for a buyer who would continue youth programs. In 1998, the camp was sold to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston is an ecclesiastical territory or metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Church in the New England region of the United States. It is led by a metropolitan bishop and is part of the Archdiocese of America which itself is under the control of the Ecumenical...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.