THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE STORED AND PRESERVED AS PART OF THE MISSION OF AHM
2021 EXHIBITS
Gone Fishin’ ~ A History of Fishing in the Adirondacks
With more than 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, the Adirondacks have drawn anglers to the region for hundreds of years. From the first visitations and settlements of Native Americans, to the annual sojourn of tourists and fishing enthusiasts, to satisfying the food and recreational needs of residents, fishing has always played a vital role in the economy and culture of the Adirondacks. In our newest exhibit, we explore the history of fishing in the Adirondack Mountains from the pre-Colonial era to the present -- with a special emphasis on Essex County — focusing on the natural and human transformation of Adirondack lake, river, and stream fisheries as well as the science, art, and traditions of sport fishing in the region.
A Woman’s View - Recognizing Artists in the Adirondacks
As a part of this year’s celebration of 100 years of Woman’s Suffrage, the Adirondack History Museum’s Rosenberg Gallery will feature the work of a diverse group of artists, including an internationally known multimedia artist, a renowned fiber artist, and three painters who have found inspiration in such varied places as Antarctica, Labrador, and Mexico as well as the Adirondack Mountains. Exhibited will be the works of Shirin Neshat, Cynthia Schira, Elena Borstein, Laura Von Rosk, and Linda Fisher.
In addition to the gallery exhibit, there will be a display on the work of The Guerrilla Girls, a group of Feminist activists who have publicized woman artists’ issues all over the world. Their work has recently been exhibited at Tate Modern in London, Sao Paulo Museum, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and Art Basel Hong Kong.
American Women Win the Vote
The Adirondack History Museum highlights the fight for women’s suffrage and women winning the right to vote throughout the U.S. with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The exhibit has been recognized by Governor Cuomo as a valuable destination on the NYS Path Through History and has been visited by Senator Gillibrand and Senator Betty Little.
Adirondack Fire Towers
In recognition of the museum fire tower turning 100 years old, this exhibit explores the history of Adirondack fire towers and the observers that have been stationed at them. The exhibit features a climbable fire tower, a combination of two towers that were removed from their original sites (Kempshall and West Mountains) and reconstructed for visitor use.
Hiking the Adirondack
High Peaks
This new interactive permanent exhibit explores High Peak’s hiking history dating back to the mid-19th Century. The exhibit highlights advocacy groups, hiking pioneers, old time guides, and other historic and contemporary figures.
CALENDAR
MUSEUM OPENS MAY 29, 2021
Annual Membership Meeting
MAY 13, 4PM
Gallery Opening Reception
AUGUST 6, 5PM
Member & Patron Reception
SEPTEMBER 2, 6PM
Museum Closes
OCTOBER 9
Historian’s Day
OCTOBER 13, 6:30PM - 8PM
Online Fundraising Auction
NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 5
ADIRONDACK
HISTORY
MUSEUM
7590 Court Street
PO Box 428
Elizabethtown, NY 12932
518.873.6466
Hours:
Memorial Day Weekend to
Columbus Day
Weekend
Wed-Sat 10-4
Sun 12-4
Admission:
Adult $5
Seniors $4
Students $2
Children 6 and
under are free
2021 LECTURE & FILM SERIES
She’s Beautiful When Angry
July 1, 7PM
Film Showing
“A must-watch for feminists and non-feminists alike.” The film covers an important era in the US feminist movement. It’s a provocative, rousing, and often humorous account of the birth of the women’s liberation movement in the late 1960s through to its contemporary manifestations in the new millennium. A film by Mary Dore and Nancy Kennedy, 2014, 92 mins.
North Pole, NY
July 22, 7PM
Film Showing
During the theme park heyday of the 1950s and 60s, the Adirondacks were home to dozens of parks. Only one remains, Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington, NY, founded in 1949 by entrepreneur Julian Reiss. North Pole, NY is a documentary following the park’s current struggles to survive changing cultural, technological and economic realities, while placing it in the larger context of the history and decline of American roadside attractions. Edited and Directed by Ali Cotterill, 2017, 69 mins.
SEARCHING FOR TIMBUCTOO
JULY 29, 7PM
Film Showing
An Adirondack History Museum film premier! In the mid-1800s, abolitionist and real estate baron Gerrit Smith devised a “scheme of justice and benevolence” that he hoped would provide refuge to black families. This film dramatizes the quest to reconstruct the nearly forgotten history of that refuge, the pre-Civil War Adirondack settlement of African American homesteaders known as “Timbuctoo.” Written, produced, and directed by Paul Miller - a University at Albany filmmaker, 2020, 1 hour.
Atlantic Salmon
Don Hay
A presentation on the Atlantic Salmon and its history in the Adirondack region.
Ausable River Roundtable
A roundtable discussion on the Ausable River eco-system and history of recreational and sport fishing.
Live the Stream
Film Showing
Joe Humphreys, fly fishing legend and educator, continues to pass on the sport of fly fishing to anyone who wants to learn. This film follows Joe’s busy schedule for one year both on and off the stream: at his home, in his teachings, and on his never-ending quest for fish. Directed by Meigan Bell and Lucas Bell, 2018, 93 mins.
Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History and Lore
Marty Podschotch
New York State lost tens of thousands of acres of woodland to devastating forest fires in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In response, the state placed fire observers on prominent peaks. The first stations were crudely-built log platforms, but these were eventually replaced by high steel towers. Podscotch highlights the history and stories of the towers, as well as the observers who supervised them.
Forest Fires of the Adirondacks
Sharp Swan
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fires raged out of control in many of New York State’s vast wooded areas. Two "great fires" in 1903 and 1908 charred almost 1 million acres of Adirondack forest, and because of public outcry for protection from the devastation, measures were established to prevent and detect fires, eliminating the scale of destruction that occurred in the Adirondacks a hundred years ago.
The Big Burn
Film Showing
In the summer of 1910, the largest wildfire in American history devoured more than three million acres across the Northern Rockies and took the lives of 78 firefighters. The fledgling U.S. Forest Service was confronted with a catastrophe that would define the agency and the nation’s fire policy for the rest of the 20th century and beyond. Directed by Stephen Ives and narrated by Oliver Platt, 2014, 54 mins.
Emma Goldman
Film Showing
This documentary traces the life of Russian emigrant Emma Goldman, who for nearly half a century, was the most controversial woman in America. To the tabloids, she was "Red Emma, queen of the anarchists," but many admired Goldman for her defense of labor rights, women's emancipation, birth control, and free speech. Written, Produced, and Directed by Mel Bucklin, 2004, 60 mins
Suffragists, Pacifists and Anarchists--Women Politicals of the Early 20th Century.
Linda Ford
Linda Ford will explore the rise of women's activism and dissenters in the World War I/Progressive era and especially the organizing work of militant suffragists – all in the context of the activities of other women militants of the period: WWI anti-war pacifists, anarchists like Emma Goldman, and labor activists in WWI.
ADIRONDACK HISTORY MUSEUM
7590 COURT STREET, PO BOX 428
ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932
(518) 873-6466
MUSEUM HOURS
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
TO COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND
WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM – 4 PM
SUNDAY 12 PM – 4 PM
ADMISSION
ADULT $5 SENIORS $4 STUDENTS $2
CHILDREN 6 AND UNDER GET IN FREE
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF: