A love of nature brought Everett Needham to the newly-formed Wachusett Mountain Reservation in 1899. At the age of 21, he was hired as Assistant Superintendent and nine years later was named Superintendent. For nearly four decades, NeedhamÕs extraordinary vision and foresight shaped the beautiful, accessible recreation area we enjoy today. His stewardship included building the access roads, clearing hiking trails, digging fire ponds, constructing viewing platforms, planting and managing the forest, and protecting native plants and wildlife. A century after he began, Everett NeedhamÕs enduring legacy of preserving the mountainÕs natural beauty continues to delight visitors every day.