The Women of Camp Santanoni
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Camp Santanoni, a 12,900-acre wilderness estate established in 1892 alongside a 200-acre working farm, is an architectural wonder rich with the stories of the people who have lived and worked there, and enjoyed and preserved it. While women have always played a central role at Santanoni, their stories have not always been told. This day-long excursion will weave their stories into the familiar Santanoni narrative and offer insights about the changing experiences of women in the Adirondacks. For Anna Pruyn and her female guests, Santanoni was a place to relax and explore. Huybertie Pruyn especially enjoyed the opportunity to break free of expectations away from the eye of her mother, the head of the Albany Anti-Suffrage Association. For the female staff, being a woman in the woods was more work than play. Imagine arriving from Bulgaria to raise a family at the Santanoni farm like Pena Petoff! Later generations of Pruyn women were less formal and brought fun and drama to the family. More recently, women have played critical roles in the advocacy and work to preserve Santanoni. Hike, bike, or enjoy a leisurely draft horse wagon ride for this 9.8-mile round-trip excursion. The tour will include stops at the Gate Lodge and Farm before arriving at the main camp perched masterfully on Newcomb Lake. Eat your picnic lunch under the same eaves where Anna Pruyn took photographs and Huybertie made mischief.
This tour co-sponsored by the Friends of Camp Santanoni and the Town of Newcomb, and is led by Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator, Jennifer Betsworth. The tour begins at 9:30 AM and ends at 4 PM.
There is a suggested donation of $35. A limited number of seats are available on a horse-drawn wagon for an additional $30 per person.
Please note that this tour involves a wagon-ride or 9.8 hike/bike on a dirt road.