John S. Apperson Photography

The Winter Photography of John S. Apperson

The people and policy of New York State were just beginning to define what an Adirondack Park would look like in the early 20th century. This exhibit of John S. Apperson's winter photography highlighted his vision of the recreational potential the north's woods and waters offered year round.

The photographs on display during the winter of 2014 were taken by Paul Schaefer's friend and mentor John S. Apperson. The Adirondack Research Library is home to the John S. Apperson Papers which include not only photographs but negatives and glass lantern slides. It has been catalogued and shared on an interactive website under a Cataloging Hidden Treasures grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources. Union College faculty are encouraged to use the collection in their curriculums and research. (The titles of the photographs, in bold, are as written on the backs of the printed photographs.)

Au Sable Lake

"Some interests are opposed to Article VII, Section 7 of the New York State Constitution, which requires that the State forest preserve land be kept in its natural state. In their anxiety to accomplish their aims by saying that this article 'hinders the use of trail', they ignore the fact that it has already added tremendous impetus to the popular enjoyment of the Adirondacks. This law will never 'hinder' skiing, because its very terms protect the attractive features of the Adirondacks so widely advertised by the State and greatly enjoyed by skiers." Apperson, John S., Adirondacks Are Ideal For Winter Sports (1936)

Mt. Marcy Ski Trip

"Some interests are opposed to Article VII, Section 7 of the New York State Constitution, which requires that the State forest preserve land be kept in its natural state. In their anxiety to accomplish their aims by saying that this article 'hinders the use of trail', they ignore the fact that it has already added tremendous impetus to the popular enjoyment of the Adirondacks. This law will never 'hinder' skiing, because its very terms protect the attractive features of the Adirondacks so widely advertised by the State and greatly enjoyed by skiers." Apperson, John S., Adirondacks Are Ideal For Winter Sports (1936)

William Chapman White

White was a columnist for the New York Times and New York Herald Tribune and author of Adirondack Country (1954) and Just About Everything Adirondack (1960).

View from Appy Top, 1930s

"There is every reason why New York State should take a commanding lead in the promotion of winter sports. This State is endowed as none others are with mountains, lakes and hills of varying slopes which make it ideal for tens of thousands to enjoy recreation on snow and ice. A harmonious program worked out between the State and private interests will go a long way toward this goal." Apperson, John S., Adirondacks Are Ideal For Winter Sports (1936).

Langmui and Other on Mt. Marcy

"Irving Langmuir, Nobel Prize winning scientist and fellow GE employee, was frequent companion to Apperson on his winter mountaineering trips.

Kitten at Camp Clubhouse

Kitten at Apperson Camp, circa 1918 — Kitten at Camp Clubhouse

Apperson's camp on Lake George was the base for his "rip-rapping" campaign. Islands on Lake George threatened by erosion were protected by large stones brought out to build walls surrounding them. Rip-rapping did not stop in the winter when stones were brought out by sled and skate-sail. ("Kitten" is identified as Kitty Cavanaugh on another photograph.)

Beginning of State Land

Friend of Apperson's, Ed Richards, encounters a government warning sign along the Moose River at Fort Plain. Plans to dam the Moose River as a source of hydroelectric power were repeatedly thwarted by Apperson, Schaefer and other grass-roots conservationists.

Au Sable Lake, 1920s

John S. Apperson was not only a charter member of the Adirondack Mountain Club but one of the early proponents of skiing in the Adirondacks. Apperson opposed development of commercial ski areas in the Adirondack Forest Preserve as he saw them as an affront to the "forever wild" clause of the New York State Constitution.