The Old Forge Library and the Town of Webb Historical Association are hosting a Local History and Stories Series on Thursdays throughout the summer at 5 p.m.  The series will feature a different speaker each week who will give a presentation and lead a discussion on a variety of interesting local subjects (primarily of historical significance.)

The public is invited to come and enjoy the stories, and add to them too. The series will kick off on Thursday, July 7 with Charles Herr and his presentation on The Forge House, one of the area’s most storied landmarks.

Since the early 1980s, when Herr and his wife purchased a camp in Inlet, he has been interested in the Fulton Chain region of the Adirondacks. Herr has worked at the Goodsell Museum in Old Forge and the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, and helped to establish the Inlet Historical Society.

He is the author of “The Fulton Chain: Early Settlements, Steamboats, Railroads and Hotels” the first, comprehensive regional history in seventy years. He’s also an Adirondack Almanack contributor.

The Forge House. Photo provided by Beth Pashley of the Old Forge Library.

Other historians and speakers throughout the summer will include:

7/14 – Local panel: Remembering our Characters ~ Local history buffs and storytellers remember some of their favorite characters of the past.

7/21 – Bruce Stetzer: William Earl Covey & Fred Pashley ~ The History of Local American Legion Post #893.

7/28 – Edward Pitts: Beaver River Country ~ A presentation from his new book comprising a vivid history of this remote section of the western Adirondacks and its inhabitants.

8/4 – Peg Masters: Answering the Call ~ The History of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Co., and the changes over the years to our current firefighter and EMS volunteers.

8/11 – John Netti: “The Glades” ~ New fiction set in CNY & the Adirondacks.

8/18 – Tom McCabe & Phil Sanzone: Fulton Chain of Lakes Association ~ Preserving and protecting the unique environment of our lakes and the surrounding woodlands, streams and wetlands for over 50 years.

 8/25 – Charles Herr: Raquette Lake Railway ~ The story of this railroad from its origins as a lumber railroad, a right of way obtained through State lands, its building and the railroad stations.

Some presentations will be outdoors under the tent, and others will require the projector for a slide presentation. 

The Local History and Stories series is free and open to the public.

Photo at top: Charles Herr. Photo provided by Beth Pashley of the Old Forge Library.