The History Of Adirondack S Resort

An architectural study of the large Adirondack hotels that focuses on the cultural history of travel and tourism.

In 1892, the Adirondack Park, located in the northeast corner of New York, was declared "forever wild," and from then on, public land could not be further developed. Early on, tourists were drawn to the clear blue lakes, winding rivers and streams, and awe-inspiring mountain peaks of the region. The stunning scenery of the Adirondacks suited the postcard perfectly, making the medium the primary method park visitors used to correspond with family and friends, whether on a trip for healing from tuberculosis and other breathing disorders or vacationing from New York City and the surrounding area. Today the park remains an unspoiled wilderness that continues to draw visitors eager to enjoy its natural beauty.

The author does a thorough job in explaining the beginnings of rustic architecture and why it has a permanent place in the culture. The mix of social background and the history of the early Adirondack camps provides a designers guidebook.

Blacks in the Adirondacks: A History tells the story of the many African Americans who settled in or passed through this rural, mountainous region of northeastern New York State. In the area for a variety of reasons, some were lifetime residents, while others were there for a few years or months—as summer employees, tuberculosis patients, or in connection with full- or part-time occupations in railroading, the performing arts, and baseball. From blacks who settled on land gifted to them by Gerrit Smith, a prosperous landowner and fervent abolitionist, to those who worked as waiters in resort hotels, Svenson chronicles their rich and varied experiences, with an emphasis on the 100 years between 1850 and 1950. Many experienced racism and isolation in their separation from larger black populations; some found a sense of community in the scattered black settlements of the region. In this first definitive history, Svenson gives voice to the many blacks who spent time in the Adirondacks and sheds light on their challenges and successes in this remote region.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.