Fellow Friends of Camp Santanoni -
The Santanoni team has been busy! We have welcomed Kelly Quimby as our new Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager and she has hit the ground running. In the last six months we have made substantial progress on several long-term capital projects and continued to expand our programming and our Camp Santanoni Stories project. We’re excited about this summer’s offerings and hope you join us for an event, a volunteer day, or just a simple weekday walk to the farm to appreciate the beauty of the Santanoni Preserve.
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Santanoni Fire Protection |
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Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is delighted that the NYS Legislature and Governor Hochul included funds in the Environmental Protection Fund to support our work at Camp Santanoni. These funds support our Historic Site Manager, a Gate Lodge Bathroom project to improve health and safety and restore historic spaces, and our Fire Protection project at the Main Lodge. With bids in for the fire suppression installation, we look forward to that project moving ahead. Stay tuned for more updates!
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Welcoming our New Historic Site Manager! |
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Please join us in welcoming Kelly Quimby as Adirondack Architectural Heritage’s Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager. Originally from Georgia, Kelly earned her B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of West Georgia and began her professional career as a newspaper reporter in the Southeast. This work took her to the historic city of Savannah, which ignited her interest in preservation. She subsequently earned an A.A.S. in Historic Preservation and Restoration from Savannah Technical College. Prior to joining AARCH in March 2025, Kelly worked for two years doing hands-on preservation and other maintenance of historic buildings and structures in the city of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system. She has also conducted roads, trails, grounds and building maintenance at National Park Service sites in Maine, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Kelly loves the outdoors and is thrilled to have this opportunity to contribute to the preservation of one of the Adirondacks' most impressive Great Camps. Reach out to her at kelly@aarch.org.
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This summer, we're happy to welcome three Camp Santanoni George Canon Interns to the site: Oliver Sherry, Jocelyn Aceves, and Riley Webster. Oliver is a recent graduate of Roger Williams University with Bachelor of Science in Preservation Studies. Jocelyn is from Santa Ana, California, and is graduating from Boston University this May with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies and a minor in Art History. Riley is a recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking. They will arrive at Santanoni in early June, and begin offering tours on June 30. Be sure to say hi when you visit! Jennifer Betsworth will continue to serve as the Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator, and is excited to work with the staff and offer new programs this year. Thank you to the Town of Newcomb for their ongoing funding of our Camp Santanoni George Canon Internship program and Interpretive Coordinator!
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Our StoryBridge Oral History Project |
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Supporters of Camp Santanoni gather to celebrate funding for a historic structures report for the Farm at Camp Santanoni in the mid-1990s. From left, Wesley Haynes, the author of the structures report; Newcomb Town Supervisor George Canon; AARCH President Howard Kirschenbaum; AARCH Executive Director Steven Engelhart; Tania Werbizky of the Preservation League of New York State; Barbara Sweet, Town of Newcomb Councilwoman and Adirondack Park Agency Commissioner; J. Winthrop Aldrich, deputy commissioner for Historic Preservation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and Richard Cipperly, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Historic Structures Report for the Santanoni Farm was published in 1996.
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Did you know that you can get a free tour at Santanoni every day during the summer? From June 30-August 16, the Santanoni staff will offer tours of the Main Camp at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. In addition, tours will be available Thursday-Sunday for the last two weeks in August (August 21-24, August 28-31, and August 29-September 1) and Saturdays from September 6 to October 11. Ever been curious about the history and buildings at the Santanoni farm? Join the Santanoni staff at the farm for a free Saturday tour this summer to learn more about the staff, the quackless ducks, and the big idea behind creating this remote, Adirondack farm. Join the Santanoni staff on Saturdays at 10:15 am and 2 pm from July 5-August 16 for a free farm tour. A ride on the Newcombe Farm horse-drawn wagon is available May through October and is an excellent way to experience the historic site. Please contact Larry Newcombe at 518-480-1743 to reserve a seat for individuals and groups. |
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While You're in Newcomb... |
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Before or after your visit Santanoni, be sure to check out some of the other great things the Town has to offer! The Adirondack Interpretive Center has lovely trails and lots of exciting events; check out their Facebook page for the latest information. We highly recommend you stop by the Newcomb Historical Museum’s new exhibit: “Drawn to the Wilderness: The History & Evolution of Guiding in Newcomb,” on display from May 24 through Oct. 11 at the Seeley Exhibit Hall. And of course, you’ll have to swing by Newcomb Pines, located across 28N from Santanoni, for ice cream, coffee, or a snack. Want more suggestions? Check out the Experience Newcomb patch program or the Newcomb app for more ideas and information.
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Friends volunteers play a critical role in maintaining the work of decades at Santanoni and moving the site forward. Can’t make it to one of our scheduled volunteer days but have an idea for a volunteer day we should hold, or have a group that would love to volunteer? Please reach out to Kelly at kelly@aarch.org – we’d love to work with you!
Opening Camp Volunteer Day
Jennifer Betsworth will hold this annual spring workday on Wednesday, June 18 to spruce up the buildings at the Farm and Camp. We’ll spend the day opening buildings, sweeping, mopping, and getting camp set up for the season. Relish the breeze off of Newcomb Lake, share your time and skills, enjoy a tasty treat or two, and meet this summer’s new staff and other Friends. 9:30 am to 3 pm. Please rsvp to santanoni@aarch.org.
Farm Landscape Work Days
Santanoni Historic Site Manager Kelly Quimby will hold farm landscape work days on Wednesdays July 16, August 6, and September 24. The group will work on various landscape tasks at the farm to help maintain the open, farm landscape. Be sure to bring hand tools, a bottle of water, work clothes, and lunch. 9:30 am to 3 pm. Please rsvp to kelly@aarch.org.
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Gate Lodge Tours
On Saturday, July 5th and August 30th, join us for special tours of the Santanoni Gate Lodge. Since 1905, the Gate Lodge has welcomed visitors to Santanoni Preserve. We will explore its landscape and architecture, learn about the staff, Pruyns, and Melvins who called it home, its early state ownership, and take a peek inside the building, all while enjoying a serenade from Fishing Brook! Tours meet at the stone arch at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. $10 donation suggested per person. Six-person tour maximum; advance reservations requested. Contact Santanoni@aarch.org to reserve a spot on this limited opportunity. |
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| Mindfulness Experience at Camp Santanoni, July 21
Come to Great Camp Santanoni for an immersive experience in the tradition of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, a Japanese wellness practice that helps individuals access the healing properties of nature. You will be invited to slow down, be curious, and use all your senses to more fully experience the nature and the heritage of the Santanoni Preserve. This mindfulness experience begins at the Gate Lodge with an orientation, warm-ups, centering, and breathing exercises intended to connect participants to their bodies and the world around them. We will then make our way to the Farm Complex, using our senses to become more attuned to our surroundings and taking time for an extended sit among the trees to deepen our connection to the land and nonhuman world. At the farm, we will shift our awareness to the landscape features that represent the more recent human story of the place. We will explore the site’s buildings and consider the continuity of both natural and human history in our present moment. Upon our return from the Farm Complex, we will reflect on the experience and understand how the practice of mindfulness can be used in daily life. Following the mindfulness session, participants are invited on an optional group bike ride into the Main Camp with a special tour of the Main Lodge and walk to the historic bathhouse and beach. All are welcome, with a special invitation for nonprofit leaders and staff to take time for renewal and a reset at Camp Santanoni this July.
This experience is led by Kripalu-certified Outdoor Mindfulness Guide and longtime preservation leader, Susan West Montgomery while the bike tour is led by AARCH Executive Director Erin Tobin. The mindfulness experience begins at 9 AM and ends at 12:30 PM, and the bike excursion ends at 3 PM. There is a suggested donation of $40 per person and $35 for nonprofit staff and board members. This tour is first-come, first-served. Please register at aarch.org/tour/mindfulness-santanoni. Please note that this outing includes roughly 2.5 miles of walking at a leisurely pace over a dirt road. The afternoon bike ride requires attendees to bring their own bicycles and cycle 9.6 miles (round trip) on a dirt road to and from the Main Camp. The road features a mix of flat, rolling, and uneven terrain.
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Hidden Stories of Santanoni, July 29
Do you think you know Camp Santanoni? We’ll let you in on a secret… there are so many more stories to tell! On this program, we will explore lesser-known perspectives on Santanoni ranging from the site’s Indigenous history to the ongoing, often unseen work of maintaining the camp. This wide-ranging program will highlight Santanoni’s labor history over time, the evolution of mechanical systems and infrastructure at the Main Camp, the Pruyn family’s role in the anti-suffrage movement, the intricacies of managing historic sites in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, and more! (Did you think we’d spill all our secrets in the description?) Join us as we uncover some of Santanoni’s hidden stories and further broaden the interpretation of this treasured National Historic Landmark.
This outing is led by Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator Jennifer Betsworth and AARCH Executive Director Erin Tobin. The tour begins at 9 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. There is a suggested donation of $45. This tour is first-come, first-served. Please register at aarch.org/tour/santanoni-hidden-stories. Space on a horse-drawn wagon is available by first-come, first-served reservation. Please note that this tour involves walking on uneven ground and navigating some stairs. Entering and exiting the Main Camp is done by boarding a wagon (requiring two steps to enter and exit) or 9.6-mile (round-trip) hike/bike on a dirt road (bring your own bike).
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Santanoni Art and Music Day, August 9
From evening songs around the campfire, Ned’s plein-air paintings, and Anna’s photographs and moss gardens, art, music, and creativity played a central role at Camp Santanoni. During this event, we will offer programs, activities, and opportunities to make and watch art across the historic site. We anticipate having special guest artists and musicians across the site and will announce details soon! We invite you to ask them about their work, and bring your own art supplies to join in. At the Main Camp, join us for a special Art and Music Tours at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. The Gate Lodge, Farm, and Main Camp will feature art and activity tables with coloring pages, paper, and simple art supplies so everyone can join in on the fun. All skill levels are welcome as we celebrate the interconnection of art, music, history, and nature in the Adirondacks.
We are still looking for artists and volunteers! If you’d like to share your artistic or musical talent or would like to help with this event, please reach out to kelly@aarch.org. We look forward to hearing from you! |
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“The Works” Santanoni Bike Excursion, August 23
Camp Santanoni’s storied road has always been a popular mountain bike ride – and now you can pair that ride with a fully guided experience of all three of the site’s historic complexes! Join Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator Jennifer Betsworth for this special “bring your own bike” experience that takes you to Santanoni’s Gate Lodge, Farm Complex, and scenic Main Camp overlooking Newcomb Lake. Start your day with a brief orientation to Camp Santanoni, the only publicly owned Adirondack Great Camp and one of the region’s most treasured historic places. Then, learn some of the secrets of the Gate Lodge, West Cottage, and surrounding landscape before setting off on the road. We will stop at a few points of interest on the 4.8-mile road, including the site’s historic Farm Complex, formerly a sprawling, 200-acre expanse that was home to several families and a remarkable array of animals. Next, we will enjoy an extended tour of the Main Camp that includes a guided walk to the historic bathhouse for a stunning view of Newcomb Lake and the mountains beyond. This experience will offer something for new and seasoned visitors to Santanoni!
This outing is led by Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator Jennifer Betsworth, and begins at 9 AM and ends at 3 PM. There is a suggested donation of $35. This event is first come, first served. Register at aarch.org/tour/biking-santanoni. Please note that this excursion requires attendees to bring their own bicycles and cycle 9.6 miles (round trip) on a dirt road into and out of camp. The road features a mix of flat, rolling, and uneven terrain.
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Santanoni Winter Weekends 2025 |
We love winter at Santanoni, and so do you! We counted 380 visitors to the Artists Studio over the three weekends (165 in January, 115 in February, and 100 in March). Conditions were great in January and February, and we were delighted by how many of you enjoyed the prospect of spring skiing in March. We look forward to seeing you again in 2026! |
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Jennifer Betsworth Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator |
| Erin Tobin, Executive Director Adirondack Architectural Heritage |
| Kelly Quimby Santanoni Historic Site Manager
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The Friends of Camp Santanoni, a project of Adirondack Architectural Heritage with support from the Town of Newcomb and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, aims to provide long-term financial and volunteer support for the Camp. |
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Founded in 1990 to save Santanoni, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the nonprofit historic preservation organization for New York's Adirondack region, seeks to preserve architecture and communities through education, action, and advocacy. |
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