Lying at the heart of Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume has enthralled travellers since the first decades of trhe nineteenth century. Early tourists like Emerson and Thoreau were awed by the gorge's wild grandeur and spectacular granite walls rising nearly ninety feet overhead. Railroads in the 1850s brought a flood of visitors, including artists, poets, scientists and photographers, who richly documented the natural splendor of the Flume. Since that time, the Flume has become one of New Hampshire's most poular attractions, drawing thousands to view its beauty each year. The Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch explores the fascinating recreational history of one of New Hampshire's most beloved scenic treasures.