On August 5, 2023, the stars aligned as a spirited crowd of nearly 170 individuals rallied together to champion the preservation of the National Historic Landmark and nonprofit, Great Camp Sagamore. Deep in one of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park, near the hamlet of Raquette Lake, NY, this annual gala was more than just a gathering, it was a union of history, nature, and community.
The journey to Great Camp Sagamore took attendees 4.2 miles up a winding dirt road to a secluded 17-acre haven adorned with 27 historic buildings in the middle of the Historic Great Camps Special Management Area. Tucked away on the shore of Sagamore Lake, surrounded by the vast Adirondack Forest Preserve, Great Camp Sagamore became for the evening a retreat from the bustling world.
Over the weekend, participants who lodged on-site immersed themselves in a range of experiences: savory meals in the historic dining hall, exploring the surrounding natural beauty through hikes and canoeing, and enlightening historic tours of the property. Each moment was an opportunity to connect with Great Camp Sagamore’s essence.
Historical Places Enrich our Adirondack Landscapes, Informing the Present and Future
By Emily Martz, Executive Director, and Connor Williams, Historian, Great Camp Sagamore
Recently, Great Camp Sagamore was mentioned by Peter Baur’s recent article in which he discussed the value that comes from the various uses of lands and waters within the Adirondack Park. This healthy conversation began before the blue line of the Adirondack Park was drawn in 1892 and will continue for as long as the Park exists.
Great Camp Sagamore, a National Historic Landmark, is a nonprofit educational center devoted to historic preservation and life-long learning. Because of its former ownership by William West Durant and Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, it is tempting to paint Great Camp Sagamore today as another retreat for only well-to-do and well-connected people “from away.” We think this is an error.
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