Photos of Biker Ladies With Their Custom Made Leather Belts at a Motorcycle Rally in Laconia, New Hampshire, 1947.

It calls itself as “the world’s oldest motorcycle rally.” In 1947 LIFE sent photographer Sam Shere to chronicle an early but already bustling version of the gathering, and the magazine’s story in its Aug. 11, 1947 issue was inspired in part by the growth of cycling as a social activity in the years following World War II.

“Today’s 200,000 “bike” riders are organized like so many Panzer units into well-disciplined clubs with costumes,” LIFE wrote. “…To these stalwarts the motorcycle is a white charger, an emblem of knighthood. The gas fumes, the roaring wind, and the staccato snorting of the exhaust enchant them.”

Shere’s photos capture the joyful juxtaposition of leather-clad bikers converging on a quaint New England setting. But the images that stand out most feature cyclists from the Motor Maids of America. The group, dedicated to bringing female motorcyclists together, began in 1940 with a few dozen riders and today boasts a membership of about 1,300. The photos from the Laconia rally include shots of the group’s founder, Dot Robinson, with her 15-year-old-daughter Betty. Their Motor Maids uniforms are both jaunty and a tad formal. They make the Motor Maids look like meter maids gone rogue.

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Intriguing Photos of Clowns in Front of Ballard’s Novelties in Concord, New Hampshire, 1981

Ballard’s Novelties was a famous shop in Concord, New Hampshire, known for its assortment of unusual and quirky items. The store was a beloved local landmark, operating for many years and drawing attention for its unique collection of novelties, including everything from circus-related items to unusual toys and collectibles. The store had a distinct charm, with displays often evoking nostalgia for a time when novelty shops and independent stores had a magical feel, offering eccentric products for all ages.

In 1981, Ballard’s Novelties became known for an unusual and memorable sight: a group of clowns standing outside the store in full costume. The clowns were part of an event or promotion that attracted attention. The clowns’ presence likely contributed to an atmosphere of fun and whimsy, sparking curiosity among passersby.

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Vintage Photographs Capture the Ice Cutting Process on the Ottauquechee River in 1936

Ice cutting and harvesting was a job pretty much obsolete now due to refrigeration and advances in technology. However, before freezers became the norm in households, teams of ‘icemen’ would undergo ice cutting operations during the winter months to harvest enough ice that could be sold to homes and businesses throughout the year.

These following photographs capture the ice cutting and harvesting process on Ottaqueechee River in New Hampshire in 1936.

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Skiers basking in the winter sun, Cranmore Mountain Resort, North Conway, New Hampshire, 1955

Photo by Slim Aarons.

Amazing Color Photos of the Mount Washington in the Midle of 1950s

These various Kodachrome slides documenting hiking and skiing trips to Tuckerman Ravine at the Mount Washington, New Hampshire from 1952 to 1955.

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Pit-Women Relaxing After Lunch, New Hampshire, 1943

June 1943. Turkey Pond, near Concord, New Hampshire. Women workers employed by U.S. Department of Agriculture timber salvage sawmill. Ruth DeRoche and Norma Webber, 18-year-old ‘pit-women,’ relaxing after lunch. Photo by John Collier for the Office of War Information.

(via Shorpy)