May 2010

Arthur Frommer and Pauline Frommer

Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing

2010 Annual Dinner

A NIGHT TO “ASK FROMMER”
Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing

GUEST SPEAKERS
ARTHUR FROMMER AND PAULINE FROMMER

Fifty years ago, only the rich vacationed in Europe. Then along came the guidebook Europe on $5 a Day. Traveling was changed forever! Travel writing legend Arthur Frommer continues to inform the world with books, blogs, articles, and interviews. His latest book Ask Arthur Frommer and Travel Better, Cheaper, Smarter is an indispensable addition to anyone’s travel library with savvy advice on everything from internet tools to exposing the myths of modern travel. His daughter carries on the family tradition in 14 of her own award winning Pauline Frommer Guides with more tips on how to “Spend Less, See More” ... in Paris, New York, London, Costa Rica, and other worldwide destinations. The Geographical Society welcomed this unique father/daughter team for an evening of outspoken and entertaining commentary on travel.

April 2009

Robert E. Peary Centennial

Park Hyatt at the Bellevue

We commemorated a dinner the Society hosted 100 years ago to honor Peary for reaching the North Pole on April 6, 1909. It was at the same location, the present day Park Hyatt at the Bellevue’s elegant Rose Garden. Michael Robinson, author of The Coldest Crucible: Arctic Exploration and American Culture, spoke on “Arctic Fever.” We joined celebrity guests at this glacially “cool” event which included selections from the 1909 dinner menu, re-created by the hotel’s executive chef.

The Geographical Society and its members were strong supporters of Robert E. Peary’s explorations, including the Auxiliary Expedition of 1894 which returned crew members, Mrs. Peary, and her infant daughter to the U.S. Peary was awarded our Elisha Kent Kane gold medal in 1902 and this specially-struck gold medal (right) for his attainment of the North Pole in 1909.

The program included a brief reenactment of the gold medal award ceremony and a speaker on Arctic Fever, then and now. Robert McCracken Peck, Senior Fellow at The Academy of Natural Sciences, impersonated Robert E. Peary. (He is a descendant of attendee James Mapes Dodge.) The current Geographical Society President, G. Theodore Burkett, portrayed Henry Grier Bryant, the President in 1909. The Arctic Fever speaker was Michael F. Robinson, author of The Coldest Crucible: Arctic Exploration and American Culture, winner of the 2008 Prize of the Forum for the History of Science in America. He was available to sign copies of his book.

June 2008

Alone ... At the Bottom of the World

The Union League of Philadelphia

In 1911 two explorers set out to reach the last “unreached” place on earth. With teams of men, dogs, and ponies, Roald Amundsen (Norway) and Robert F. Scott (England) struggled to become the first to arrive at the South Pole – a feat requiring years of preparation and months of exhausting travel.

Nearly a century later, in November 2007, two 21st century explorers made an attempt in unusually grueling conditions and could not complete the mission. Now one of them, Todd Carmichael, are to set out again in November, 2008 to become the first American ever to reach the South Pole solo and unassisted, to plant our nation’s flag. There will be no support crews, no animals, no machinery, no additional food or supply drops, no one to help – but he will use high-tech equipment with capabilities far beyond the dreams of his predecessors.

Although he is embarking on a great Antarctic adventure, many Philadelphians and top chefs know Todd Carmichael better as an owner of the renowned La Colombe coffee business and its Rittenhouse Square and Manhattan cafés.

The Geographical Society is proud to award Todd Carmichael its 2008 Exploration Grant. This special night was a chance to meet him, view images and video from last year’s expedition, and hear his plans for the November 2008 solo trip.

Guided tours of the historic Union League building were available during the cocktail hour. Visitors could see the League House’s beautifully restored decor and distinguished art collection, as well as the club’s private hotel area.

June 2007

Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story

The Union League of Philadelphia

In mid-1972, Tony and Maureen Wheeler set out on a year-long trip around the world with the intention of getting the travel bug out of their systems. After following the “hippie trail” from England across Asia to Australia, they recognized the need for a new sort of travel guide to suit the new breed of laid-back, independent travelers.

More than 30 years later, they are the owners of one of the world’s largest, most successful, and best-loved independent travel publishing companies. Lonely Planet Publications has offices on three continents, with 400 employees, 250 writers, more than 600 titles in print, and annual sales of more than 6 million books. The Wheelers, from Melbourne, Australia, showed favorite images and related their story as told in Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story — a lively mix of autobiography, business history, and of course, travel!

Guided tours of the historic building were available during the cocktail hour. Visitors viewed the League House’s beautifully restored decor and distinguished art collection, as well as the club’s private hotel area.

May 2006

Dr. Mary Albert: International Polar Year 2007 - 2008

The Union League of Philadelphia

In 2006, Annual Dinner attendees received a first-hand preview of plans and expectations for the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY) in 2007 - 2008, a two-year initiative by scientists from more than 40 nations. The first IPY in 1882 - 1883 led to major advances in scientific knowledge and geographical exploration, and set a precedent for international scientific cooperation. Dr. Mary Albert identified an important challenge at the May dinner: “The current climate change, so evident in the Arctic, cries out for a large internationally coordinated program of scientific investigations.”

At the time, Dr. Albert was Chair of the U.S. National Committee for IPY 2007 – 2008, and she shared her vision for this project with the Geographical Society. Albert is a research engineer with the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab, an adjunct professor at Dartmouth College, and an invited advisor to the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs.