Great Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Area in Newcomb, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this summer with special events.

This weekend, the Friends of Camp Santanoni will host hourly tours at the historic farm. In August, the Friends are collaborating with Cloudsplitter Outfitters in Newcomb to offer canoe tours on Newcomb Lake.

Santanoni Farm Days, on July 14-15, will focus on the history of the 200-acre gentleman farm that once operated in this remote wilderness setting. Tours will be held at 11, 12, 1, 2, and 3 both days to explore the farm’s buildings and landscapes. No registration is required. The farm area is a one-mile hike from the Gate Lodge off NY-28N.

On August 4-5, explore Newcomb Lake by canoe. Participants will learn more about the early history of Newcomb Lake, the Pruyns’s adventures on the water, and taste water from Deliah Spring, which provided gravity-fed running water to Camp Santanoni. The Pruyns loved the water so much that they bottled and had it sent home to Albany. Tours will be offered at 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30 each day. Spaces are limited to a maximum of eight attendees for each tour, and advance reservations are required. There is a suggested donation of $25. Participants on the 10:30 and 12:30 tours have the option of riding Newcombe Farms’ horse-drawn wagon for an additional $30 fee. Register online or call AARCH at (518) 834-9328.

Construction of Camp Santanoni was completed in 1893 by Robert and Anna Pruyn, of Albany, and eventually consisted of more than four dozen buildings on 12,900 acres including a working farm, gate lodge complex, and a huge rustic main lodge situated on Newcomb Lake.

Camp Santanoni was in private ownership until 1972. Over the last several decades of state ownership, the camp has been gradually restored through a partnership between New York State DEC, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), and the Town of Newcomb.

Santanoni is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. For more information, contact AARCH at (518) 834-9328.

Photo of Main Camp at Santanoni provided.