In the serene setting along Boulder Path Road in Waterville Valley, NH, a small statuette of the Virgin Mary stands nestled in a bluff of trees. This statue, lovingly placed on a moss-covered pedestal, has been a silent guardian of the valley for decades, if not centuries. Local legend whispers that the statue was placed there by a devoted villager, Maria, in the late 1800s. Maria had fled to Waterville Valley seeking solace and healing after a personal tragedy.
One evening, as the sun dipped behind the White Mountains, Maria claimed to have a vision of the Virgin Mary in a grove of trees near her home. Compelled by this divine encounter, she erected the statuette in that very spot, hoping it would bring peace and protection to all who visited. Over the years, the statue became a hidden sanctuary for locals and travelers alike, who left offerings of flowers, candles, and handwritten prayers.
The statuette, though weathered, remains a symbol of hope and faith, quietly watching over the valley. Its presence is a gentle reminder of the enduring power of belief and the comfort it can bring, even in the quietest corners of the world.