For the first time, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is hosting a modern homesteading tour, according to Deputy Director Virgina Siskavich.

“We want to continue to embrace modern builders,” says Siskavich. “We feel that at some point these modern buildings will be a part of history and we want to remember them. We also want to continue to offer tours that have not been offered before.”

Additional AARCH tours are scheduled from May to October at a range of historic and modern locations.

Since AARCH is a member supported organization, organized tours are open to the public, but selected for the members. There are an array of new offerings, such as a trip to Bartlett Carry Club with Bartlett Carry historian Fran Yardley, a master photography class with Nancie Battaglia and explorations of the Winter Olympic Architecture.

The August 22 Homesteading Tour will take place at the 800-square-foot, off-grid house of Brendan Hoyer and Laura Berube of Berube Botanical and Architectural Jewelry. Livestock outbuildings, house and barn, hay-bale gardens, and garden fresh lunch are all part of the excursion. Living off the land and working to maintain a self-sufficient life has long been an Adirondack tradition.

Siskavich points out that there are also self-guided walking tours through a variety of Adirondack towns.  Since being incorporated in 1995, AARCH has worked to preserve architecturally significant locations as well as provide educational outreach.  Tours, self-guided walks and membership information are available on the AARCH website.

Photo provided by Adirondack Architectural Heritage.