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Ticonderoga, NY – The Ticonderoga Historical Society will present a free public program on Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. at the Hancock House located at 6 Moses Circle in Ticonderoga, NY. “Benedict Arnold: The Traitor Who Saved Ticonderoga” will be presented by Brian O’Connor, who will discuss Arnold’s role at the Battle of Valcour Island in October 1776.

“As an overwhelming British force headed south from Canada, Arnold assembled a ragtag fleet to meet it in a desperate naval action,” said Brian O’Connor. “Though defeated, his heroics gave our infant nation a year to breathe & win the pivotal victory of Saratoga the following year.”

O’Connor, a former history professor, currently serves as Director of Libraries at North Country Community College. The program will be held outdoors under a tent, and attendees should bring their own lawn chairs.

Reservations may be made by calling the Hancock House at (518) 585-7868 or via e-mail: tihistory@bridgepoint1.com.

Photo at top: Benedict Arnold. Photo provided by Diane O’Connor of the Ticonderoga Historical Society.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Adirondack Water Week celebrates the history of waterways

(Paul Smiths, NY, August 1, 2022) – Adirondack Water Week kicks off on Friday, August 5 and runs through Sunday, August 14 this year. The 3rd annual event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, historic legislation that protected our nation’s water resources. Adirondack Water Week is a collaboration involving several organizations and businesses and features more than two dozen programs across the Adirondack region.

The program is coordinated by the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute and is funded in part by the Lake Champlain Basin Program. One of this year’s highlights is the Adirondack Watershed Challenge, a family event encouraging people to get outside and celebrate time spent on Adirondack waters.

“The challenge lets families work through a list of fun activities that they can do in their own town,” said Tom Collins, AWI’s education and outreach program specialist and the Water Week coordinator. “Visit a
local lake or pond, take a picture of wildlife, pick up litter from the shoreline, and eat local ice cream.”

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Organizations mark 50th Anniversary of Clean Water Act with new museum exhibit, other events

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is marking the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972 this summer with a new exhibit and public activities. In tandem with partners around the Champlain Valley, the exhibit and activities give the public the chance to celebrate the importance of clean water through history, action, and educational events.

The new exhibit, “The Clean Water Act,” explores the history that led to the passage of the Clean Water Act, key parts to know about this federal legislation, how it relates to Lake Champlain, and people of the Champlain Valley who continue the fight for clean water. Featured locals include Tom Jorling, one of the architects of the Clean Water Act in 1972, former DEC commissioner for New York state, and professor and attorney; Kelley Tucker, executive director of the Ausable River Association; and Iris Hsiang, youth member of the Vermont Climate Council and founder of the Youth Organizing Coalition.

The exhibit was made possible with generous support from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership. The Clean Water Act exhibit is open for all to visit for free in-person at the museum in Vergennes, VT or online at www.lcmm.org/Clean-Water-Act.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

From the Mountain They Call Thunder’s Nest: An Adirondack poet

by David Gibson

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Throughout our region author Sandra Weber appears in the summer to tell tales of Remarkable Women of the Adirondacks. One of the remarkable women she features is the “poet Jeanne Robert Foster.”

Eileen Mach has similarly studied and expertly performed Jeanne Robert Foster many times in our area, including her production of Voice of the Mountains: Jeanne Robert Foster, an Adirondack Legacy.

Noel Riedinger-Johnson edited Adirondack Portraits – A Piece of Time (1986, Syracuse University Press). The jacket cover reads:

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Raquette Lake: Durant Days festivities set for Aug. 5 – 7

Those in the Raquette Lake/Long Lake area are gearing up for a weekend jam-packed with an array of festivities for the annual Durant Days celebration slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 5, 6 and 7. The weekend serves as a celebration of the birth of Great Camps Architecture and William West Durant, the creator of this amazing style of architecture. History buffs of all ages are invited to travel back in time to the days when waterways were the highways and travel was by boat. Durant Days features boat tours of Raquette Lake aboard the W.W. Durant, tours of Great Camp Sagamore, a boat parade, live music, a fireworks display, and much more.

Monday, August 1, 2022

1922 Centennial Event: Evolution of the Adirondack Wilderness set for Aug. 6

The year 2022 marks the centennial of three historic events that ignited public interest in exploring the Adirondack wilderness and climbing the “46” high peaks: formation of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), publication of Robert Marshall’s High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and Grace Hudowalski’s first 46er ascent of Mount Marcy.

The Adirondack History Museum invites the public to celebrate these three seminal events on August 6, 2022. The day-long celebration will include lectures and presentations, a special screening of the film “The Mountains Will Wait for You,” and a retrospective on the history and future of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

A new exhibit featuring this significant year in Adirondack history and its effect on recreation, development, and stewardship in the High Peaks will be on display. Programs will be followed by musical selections by Peggy Lynn and Dan Duggan, as well as a reception recognizing ADK’s 100th anniversary.

Friday, July 29, 2022

Long Lake: Two short plays, historical showcase slated for July 30

All are invited to drop by the Long Lake Town Hall on Saturday, July 30, a day which will serve as a celebration of the robust history of Long Lake. Guests are encouraged to view a historical showcase and chat with a member of the Long Lake Historical Society from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. before enjoying two short plays that evening beginning at 7 p.m. The two performances, A Walk on the Wild Side with Mary Ann Keller & Mystery of the Buttercup, are written and directed by Gail Huntley and based on the original settlers of Long Lake. These events are offered free of charge.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Raquette Lake: Great Camp Sagamore offers guided history hikes

Hiking enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are encouraged to take advantage of a unique opportunity to embark on an educational guided hike where participants will venture into the great outdoors at Great Camp Sagamore and learn about the area’s rich history.

Great Camp Sagamore once had a farm, a 100,000-gallon covered reservoir, and a hydroelectric powerhouse, all hidden away in the surrounding forest. These historic structures were located conveniently close by for the workers who operated them, but hidden from view for the Vanderbilt’s distinguished guests.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Mapping the Adirondacks

The Ticonderoga Historical Society will present a free public program on Friday, August 5 at 7 p.m. at the Hancock House, 6 Moses Circle, Ticonderoga. “Mapping the Adirondacks” will be presented by Pete Nelson, who will discuss the life and work of Rochester physician William Watson Ely.

“Who produced the first detailed map of the Adirondack wilderness, showing most of the water courses, peaks and topography,” said Nelson. “The answer might surprise, for it was not one of the well-known professionals, but an amateur.” Ely’s Map of the New York Wilderness dominated the world of Adirondack maps from the 1860’s until nearly the turn of the century.

Nelson is a mathematics teacher and history lecturer at North Country Community College, a co-founder of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and an avid writer, lecturer and Adirondack history buff whose articles appear regularly in numerous regional publications (such as the Almanack). He is currently writing a book on early Adirondack surveyors.

The program will be held outdoors, under a tent and attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. Reservations may be made by calling the Hancock House at 518-585-7868 or via e-mail to: tihistory@bridgepoint1.com.

A portion of W.W. Ely’s Map of the New York Wilderness from 1867. (Source: New York Heritage Digital Collections, Adirondack Experience Library, https://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16694coll65/id/7033/rec/1)

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Keene Valley Library to host July 23 celebration for Adirondack Community story project’s success

KEENE VALLEY, N.Y.— Town of Keene residents and guests will gather at the Keene Valley Library from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 to celebrate the over 250 stories available through “Adirondack Community: Capturing, Retaining, and Communicating the Stories of Who We Are,” an OurStoryBridge project. All are welcome.

Adirondack Community, sponsored by the Keene Valley Library, is a multi-year local history project that collects and organizes 3- to 5-minute audio stories and related photographs from town of Keene community members through an online platform to share the rich social and cultural history of this community located in New York State’s Adirondack Mountains. Stories are used in classrooms from elementary school through college. In a town of about 1,100 residents, six times that number of users have visited the website to listen to stories. Adirondack Community is the model used by the national story project charitable nonprofit, OurStoryBridge Inc.

Sunday, July 17, 2022

What’s in a Name: O.K. Slip Falls

by John Sasso

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One of the most popular destinations for those who seek out waterfalls is O.K. Slip Falls in the Town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County. From the parking area on State Route 28 between North Creek and Indian Lake, it is just over a 3-mile hike over a well-maintained, marked trail to get to a viewing area where one can gaze upon this natural wonder. O.K. Slip Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in New York State, having a 250-foot drop. On several occasions I have seen or heard the following inquiry: how did O.K. Slip Falls get its name?

Thursday, July 14, 2022

History Matters: News from Historic Saranac Lake

by Amy Catania

So much is happening here at the museum, and we want you to be a part of it! As a member of Historic Saranac Lake, your involvement matters so much! We invite you to share your ideas as we plan for the expansion of the museum into the Trudeau Building. And please mark your calendar for our Membership Party on Monday, July 25.

Join today, and you will receive free admission to the museum, free admission to many events and tours, and a 10% discount in the museum store. Members at the $100 level and above also receive benefits at museums around the country through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association. Business Members receive special benefits! We will send you a membership card effective for twelve months from the date you join. Memberships are distinct from our end-of-year annual fund campaign or special fund drives. Member benefits are only available to those with active memberships!

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Play ADK contracts with Phinney Design Group for first phase of museum project

SARANAC LAKE, NY — Play ADK has contracted with Phinney Design Group to begin phase one of its project to establish a children’s museum and family resource center in downtown Saranac Lake.

Phase one of the project will establish a scope of work and create a conceptual design and blueprints, which Play ADK hopes to reveal to the community in the fall of 2022. Phase one also includes acquiring permits and site assessments.

“We are thrilled to contract with Phinney Design Group,” said Deb Roddy, chair of Play ADK’s Board of Trustees. “This has been a long time coming, and it’s surreal to see them get to work on transforming our old warehouse into the Adirondack’s first children’s museum and family resource center.”

Monday, July 11, 2022

ADK launches free naturalist programs in Lake Placid

Lake Placid, NY – Starting July 2, ADK will resume its popular naturalist-led walks and programs in the Lake Placid area. This includes all-new, one-hour interpretive walks at the Cascade Welcome Center, which will be offered every Saturday at 1 pm until mid-August.

Walk participants will meet inside the Cascade Welcome Center. All walks and programs are free, open to the public, and do not require advanced registration.**

Additionally, ADK will resume its popular summer naturalist series at the Heart Lake Program Center.

Guests and visitors are welcome to explore the natural world of the Adirondacks through hands-on activities by attending one or all of the following programs:

Naturalist Guided Walks

Join an ADK Naturalist and learn about the natural history of the Adirondacks. Interpretive walks run at 10 am daily all summer long through mid-August. Meeting place is outside the Adirondak Loj.

Sunday, July 10, 2022

John Brown Lives! Seeking Storytellers for Freedom Story Project

LAKE PLACID, NY— On June 29, AARP announced that John Brown Lives! (JBL!) has been selected to receive a 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant for its new initiative, “Freedom Story Project.” JBL! is seeking storytellers whose first stories will be released on a new website on August 20 during the first Adirondack Family Book Festival at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid, making these stories and all that follow easily accessible to all.

Freedom Story Project collects and broadcasts three- to five-minute audio stories and related photographs online, centering around themes of freedom and justice, human and civil rights, activism and engagement, at local, national and international levels. One of its goals is to inspire younger generations to tell their stories and connect to their communities and these issues, including through powerful personal narratives by elders who share their experiences.