Blue Mountain Lake
Last Offered 2020. Not currently being offered.
Looking beyond the scenic beauty of Blue Mountain Lake itself, there’s a deep architectural legacy here. The three buildings which comprise the former Walter and Kathrin Hochschild camp, Eagle Nest – the main house, guest house, and boathouse – were designed by William Distin of Saranac Lake and built between 1937 and 1938. Known for his skill in manipulating interior space, Distin introduced alcoves, angles, and large picture windows in his design of this camp. Local craftsmen, skilled in the use of rustic materials, crafted the interiors from spruce logs found on site. Split logs from British Columbia, insulated with mineral wool, sheath the exterior. Birch panels, pecky cypress, and local stone help make each room a unique experience. The main house includes a recessed ninety-foot living room, supported by four large spruce trees with roots intact. One of the most striking features in the camp is the main stairway. Henry La Prairie, then caretaker, carefully selected spruce logs and roots to complete the balustrade. Stairways throughout the camp echo this theme. Join us for this rare opportunity to tour this private camp.
The tour will also include a visit to the Church of the Transfiguration, a wonderful barked spruce log church built in 1885 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Lastly, we will visit The Hedges, which Hiram B. Duryea built as a seasonal home around 1885, The Hedges consists of a remarkable group of stone and wood buildings, with several extraordinary interiors. The Hedges was listed on the National Register in 2008 and remains one of the premier resort sites in Blue Mountain Lake.
This tour will be led by former AARCH board member Jane Mackintosh.
The tour starts at 10 AM and ends around 4 PM.
The fee is $50 for AARCH members and $60 for non-members.