March 3-13, 2023 10-Day Guided Adventure to Guatemala — in the heart of Central American architecture and culture Guatemala is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in Central America with an extraordinary landscapes and civilization-spanning culture that reaches back centuries. On this outing, we will explore the best that Guatemala has to offer,…
The bucolic Town of Schuyler Falls, a quiet and historic section of Clinton County, became its own municipality when it separated from the Town of Plattsburgh in April 1848. Its two scenic rivers—the Saranac and Salmon—provided power, while its bountiful woodlands and fertile farmland spurred both the lumber industry and agricultural pursuits. Simultaneously, other natural…
Running approximately 24 miles along the border between New York and Vermont, the Slate Valley has been a source of slate since 1848 and is the only place in the world where such a wide variety of slate colors can be found. Over the past 160 years, this industry, which relied heavily on immigrant labor,…
William H. Miner is perhaps best known as the wealthy railroad industrialist who returned to his modest Chazy farm to construct a 15,000-acre model farm in the early 20th century, but he also undertook numerous hydroelectric projects throughout the North Country. Located eight miles from Miner Institute is a 6,800-acre sandstone pavement barren known as…
In the mid-2000s, Austrian sculptor Caroline Ramersdorfer joined Adirondack sculptor John Van Alstine at the site of the Old Adirondack Lumber Company and established her art studio in the “old sawmill.” Together, Caroline and John continue their thoughtful reuse and redevelopment of the 19th century property on the banks of the Sacandaga River in the…
Glens Falls architect Ward Shippey (1885-1963) had an exceptionally long and prolific career designing homes, commercial buildings, theaters, children’s summer camps, private clubs, municipal buildings, camps, and resorts. The majority of his designs were in Glens Falls, Lake George, and Schroon Lake but he also designed several resorts in the Catskills like Grossinger’s, Arrowhead Lodge,…
Explore the remarkably intact resort community of Loon Lake in the Town of Franklin originally developed during the late 19th century by Fred and Mary Chase. Their resort, the Loon Lake House, was a destination for wealthy families, including several presidents, for vacations and getaways. Our tour will take us to several buildings and…
Stories, family histories, and livelihoods are all etched in the stone used for many fine homes throughout the North Country. Blue limestone quarried on Willsboro Point was used throughout the Champlain Valley; Au Sable Valley granite went into homes along present-day Route 9N in the area around Jay; and unique reddish-brown Potsdam sandstone was used…
Grains constituted a staple in the Champlain Valley’s agricultural growth in the 19th and 20th centuries. A resurgence in the world of organic grains has taken root in Essex County among small farmers, producers, and milling operations alike. Start the day exploring local grains at the roots as we learn about wheat cultivation and harvesting…
In the North Country, wind and solar infrastructure, facilities, and farms are helping to power a renewable energy future. During this outing, we will first take a deep dive into the systems and design of Marble River Wind Farm, a facility in rural Churubusco that features an installed total capacity of 215.25 megawatts. Atop tubular…