Joseph Battell

Who was Joseph Battell?

Joseph Battell was a publisher and philanthropist from Middlebury, Vermont. Battell is credited with preserving Vermont forest land including the land for Camel's Hump State Park. Battell edited a newspaper and authored several books, including the "American Morgan Horse Registry". He donated his horse farm to the federal Morgan horse breeding program, and is credited by some as saving the breed. In addition, he served at the Vermont Legislature, and as a trustee for Middlebury College.

He was also the author of one of the more peculiar books ever written, Ellen--or the Whisperings of an Old Pine, a dialogue between a sixteen year-old girl, Ellen, and a wise old white pine tree. Among the matters they discuss is a refutation of the wave theory of sound propagation. It is illustrated with many photographs of Vermont scenery, including several of Ellen. . Her mountain, Mt. Ellen, a 4000-footer near Sugarbush ski area, can be found here.