By Persis Granger
All Photos courtesy Adirondack Museum, graciously supplied by Todd Happer, Director of Marketing.

Are you the kind of traveler who likes to soak up the culture and history of the region you are visiting? If so, during your next North Country vacation, plan to spend a day at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY.

A day? Yes, a whole day. You might be able to get there and race through it faster than that, but who would want to?

First of all, the ride to Blue Mountain Lake is a vacation highlight in itself, so don't rush that. From the tourist hub of Lake George Village, head north to and through Warrensburg on New York State route 9, and then, three miles farther north, catch route 28 on the left, pointing your nose northwest. Feel stress melt away as your car climbs to its destination, with each successive summit disclosing yet another breathtaking panorama of mountains and lakes. You will pass through a series of quaint Adirondack towns – North Creek, just off 28, North River, Indian Lake (do you see a theme developing here?), and finally, Blue Mountain Lake, concluding a trip of about 60 miles. You'll sense the change in elevation as you leave the North River area. The preponderance of deciduous trees, hemlocks and eastern white pines give way to the stately spires of spruce and balsam firs. Here and there you'll spot tree-ringed wetlands dotted with emerald clumps of vegetation. You'll peer across the water, hoping to spot a moose browsing. At Lake Durant, just south of Blue Mountain Lake, you might linger a little rest area equipped with a couple of picnic tables affording a nice lake view. When you arrive at the "T" intersection in Blue Mountain Lake, route 28 turns left and you will turn right, following New York State route 30 N. The road climbs once more, and a short distance from the intersection you'll find the Adirondack Museum on your left, with ample parking in the lot and adjacent garage.

Adirondack Museum-Log Hotel	ADK Museum Campus Pond Marion River Carry Pavilion

The museum was opened by the Adirondack Historical Society in 1957 with a small, but impressive collection housed on property that had been the site of an old tourist hotel, the Blue Mountain House.  First tourist lodging on this property. "Since then," notes the museum web site, "the Adirondack Museum collection has expanded to include artifacts representing community life from all over the Adirondack region. Be sure to take a camera; photo ops abound. The museum actively collects, preserves and exhibits objects that were made or used by Adirondackers. These objects are historical documents that tell how people live, work, and play on the Adirondack landscape." From its humble beginnings, the museum's ever-growing collection now includes some 30,000 objects, more than 70,000 photographs, 9,511 books, and 800 pages of original manuscript materials.

This engine was one of the museum's earliest artifacts.	View Blue Mtn Lake

The museum's regular season runs from late May to mid-October, and the campus is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This writer suggests you get there in the morning, and either take a picnic to enjoy at one of several picnic areas on the grounds, or buy lunch at the Lake View Cafe, which serves snacks and beverages 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and full menu from 11 to 3. From the cafe you can savor scenic views of Blue Mountain Lake.  Enjoy a picnic or lunch at the cafe overlooking the lake.

Bull Cottage sits atop a hill on the museum campus, with its prized examples of Adirondack rustic furniture.	ADK Museum Exhibition-Boats & boating

Navigating around the museum campus by map is an enjoyable challenge for many young visitors.	Adk Museum  Gift Shop: Not your ordinary souvenir shop!

Each year visitors are treated to a kaleidoscope of changing exhibits and new informative programs. The 2014 season will be highlighted by demonstrations of traditional arts, an Arto Monaco (Land of Makebelieve) exhibit, an exhibition about photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard, and an exhibit of fine art portraying the Adirondack landscape from the past two centuries. Described by museum staffer Todd Happer as "one of the most action-packed" in years, the 2014 season makes giant strides in fulfilling the museum's mission to "expand public understanding of

Adirondack history and the relationship between people and the Adirondack wilderness, fostering informed choices for the future."

Don't miss this Adirondack experience. Wheel chairs, electric carts, wagons and strollers are available.


For more info:
www.adirondackmuseum.org or www.adirondackmuseumstore.com.
9097 New York 30, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812
Phone: (518) 352-7311   Fax: (518) 352-7653
Email: info@adirondackmuseum.org

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