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Camp Santanoni, the National Historic Landmark Great Camp in Newcomb, is the recipient of a 2015 New York State Historic Preservation Award from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Three organizations that have worked together to preserve it – Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the Town of Newcomb, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – accepted the award at a recent ceremony at the State Capitol.
The annual New York State Historic Preservation Awards honor excellence in the preservation and revitalization of New York’s historic and cultural resources.
“We are delighted by this recognition of Camp Santanoni and the strong partnership that continues to restore, interpret, promote and staff it, year after year,” said AARCH Executive Director Steven Engelhart in a statement ot the press. “This unique site in the Adirondack Park shows the value of preserving heritage and wilderness together, and AARCH looks forward to working with the Friends of Camp Santanoni, DEC staff, and Newcomb officials and residents to continue to develop this much-loved place in the future.”
Completed in 1905 and now owned by New York State, Camp Santanoni is a 12,900 acre Preserve within the Adirondack Park, and includes dozens of structures on three sites. It attracts thousands of visitors annually, year-round.
Photo provided: The gate house at Great Camp Santanoni in Newcomb.
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Well done Newcomb! Won’t congratulate DEC because for every good thing they do , they do bad..new unecessary skimobile trail, possible mining company in Adirondack Park, alleged unlawful deviation from Park’s LAWs..hmmmnot trusting them or Cuomo right now
So you condemn DEC when they do good stuff AND when they do bad stuff? Jeezus…
Great job! Last time I saw Santanoni in the 80’s, it looked like it was ready to be condemned. It is a great piece of history with great access. Hopefully it will have a useful future.
This past September 11 a friend and I walked back to Camp Santanoni. It was my first walk back there. It was 57 degrees at trailhead at begin of walk (630 hrs) and warmed up quite much by the time we got out. (Early morning is the best time for walks.) A very nice walk and ditto for the camp.Very interesting architecture which has been restored over the past some years by Michael Frenette whom we met on the way out. A true craftsman Michael is and a very interesting man…we talked for at least an hour. The stories some people share.He should write a book.
Coincidentally I just (minutes ago) obtained two books on Camp Sagamore and was talking about my walk to Camp Santanoni to the man who sold me the books and what do I see when I pull up Adirondack Almanack? This story. I took some photos of some very interesting mushrooms along the trail to and fro this camp. One bunch of mushrooms were the most beautiful shrooms I have ever seen.They were protruding from a dead log just off-trail and were the most curious things on this whole hike. If I knew how i’d enclose a link of a photo of them.
There is a very pretty small sandy beach past the bridge prior to the camp on the west end. I was tempted to put on my birthday suit and take a dip but never did. Past the first stone-wall bridge I saw In the woods an old tin bucket hanging from a limb.I walked into the woods to find this bucket next to a small pool where a stream was flowing through.My sharp eyes are always finding remainders of the past.
It was very peaceful back at the camp. Me and my hiking partner were the only ones there…and a loon,which now and again sounded off from the lake.A very nice experience. I needed that walk! Thanks you NY State for all you do to preserve the wild places and for this great camp.
I prefer that structures be removed when the lands becomes forest preserve.
Typically I agree with that practice but in this case I am glad the structures weren’t removed. A unique camp like this can always be razed, but would never be built again. If no one can find a use for it, then it should be removed. However, given the easy access, I would suggest that it could possibly be used as a retreat for disabled individuals and/or vets with PTSD. This way, it may be able to receive some federal funding into the future.
Congrats to all and especially AARCH, of which I’m a member. Been to Camp Santanoni a few times on foot and on skis, and each time has been an experience not to forget. One work day at the camp I volunteered to mop the hardwood floors. After the first two rooms I was thinking “this isn’t too bad” but then I forgot how the layout is a series of connected rooms in the pattern of a large bird….and on and on I mopped. My thoughts at the end were “I’m so glad I wasn’t a servant in this house and had to mop these GD floors on a regular basis!”
GREAT work AARCH, George Canon and the Town of Newcomb’s board and citizens, and the DEC! We appreciate it VERY MUCH!
Folks, everything about Santanoni is spectacular, whether you walk, bike, ski or take a horse drawn carriage in it’s a great trip through the woods, capped off by whatever time you spend at the restored Great Camp. Sitting there on the steps, looking across Newcomb lake, wondering what it must have been like for the folks who spent time there back some 110 years past, is truly special. Thankfully it was prevented from being removed, and and even bigger thanks to all those that helped with the restoration over the years.