The Adirondack History Museum celebrated the grand opening of its “Hiking the Adirondack High Peaks” exhibit on July 20 with over 130 people attending a ribbon cutting and reception.

Museum staff and volunteers spent over 1,000 hours developing the exhibit. The interactive permanent display explores High Peak’s hiking history dating back to the mid-19th century. The exhibit highlights the work of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers, hiking pioneers, old time guides, and other historic and contemporary figures, such as Adirondack 46ers historian and founding member Grace Hudowalski.

The exhibit features the work of both historic and contemporary photographers, including pieces donated by Carl Heilman II and Nancie Battaglia. The exhibit utilizes some of the earliest photos of the High Peaks region from the George Bacon Wood collection from the 1880s and from Lake Placid Club member J. L. Harrison’s images from the turn of the twentieth century.

After the ribbon cutting over 100 people attended a screening of the film, The 46ers, which was introduced by Film Director Blake Cortright.

The Adirondack History Museum seeks to serve as Essex County’s center for the stories that reveal the roots and values of its people. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for students.

For more information, contact the museum at (518) 873-6466, echs@adkhistorymuseum.org, or visit the Museum’s website.

Photo of Hiking the Adirondack High Peaks exhibit provided.