Paul Schaefer Collection

Access:

Preferred Citation:

Rights:

Acquisition:

Processing Information:

Location:

Language:

Digital Collection:

Website:

Sponsor:

Library:

Phone Number:

Email:

Website:

Paul Aloysius Schaefer was born in Rotterdam, NY on September 13, 1908 to Rose Agnes Merkle Schaefer and Peter Aloysius Schaefer. Before becoming a clerk at General Electric, Peter Schaefer studied for the priesthood in Germany, a pursuit he left due to failing health. During this time Peter became a skilled mountain climber.

Rose Schaefer was a devout Catholic who sang in the Church for most of her life. However, she too suffered from poor health including tuberculosis, asthma, severe seasonal allergies, and multiple instances of cancer. In 1921, Rose began receiving treatment at the New York State Hospital for Incipient Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Ray Brook, NY, near the Adirondack High Peaks region. In order to remove Rose from her allergies in Rotterdam and locate the family closer to the hospital, the Schaefers took up partial residence in a rustic Adirondack cabin near Bakers Mills. During this time, Rose taught her children about the spiritual element of nature and the importance of wild places. She broached these subjects through the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, Romantic literature, and the encouragement of outdoor explorations of any kind, including hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Paul, in particular, “thrived in this wild country” and in the following two years his passion for the wilderness grew. However, by 1923, his parents’ health had dwindled alarmingly. In order to help support his family and cover their mounting medical bills, Schaefer left high school at 15 to begin work as an apprentice carpenter. Schaefer disliked this work. To escape, Schaefer began hitchhiking to the Adirondacks on weekends and began voraciously reading books on the Adirondacks during his workweek.

At this time, Schaefer resolved to collect a personal library on the Adirondacks. His library did not discriminate between technical volumes on natural science and environmental literature and philosophy by the likes of “John Burroughs, Henry David Thoreau, Francis of Assisi, and Viscount Francois Rene de Chateaubriand”. Soon Schaefer started writing nature essays and poetry of his own.

In 1929, Schaefer joined the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club. Founded by John S. Apperson Jr. and Paul’s older brother Vincent Schaefer, the organization promoted an appreciation of the outdoors and encouraged conservation. It was in the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club that Schaefer met Carolyn Keesberg. Carolyn was also an enthusiastic outdoorswomen and conservationist. In 1934 the two married and would go on to have five children.

In the early 1930s, Schaefer began transitioning from a recreationalist to an active conservationist. During this decade, Schaefer was mentored by two giants of the preservationist community, John S. Apperson Jr. and Robert Marshall. Apperson and Marshall brought Schaefer under their wings during the grass roots campaigns against the Closed Cabin Amendment and the proposed fire truck trails in the Adirondacks.

In 1945, Schaefer led the fight against a series of proposed dams in the Adirondack Park. Later known as both the Battle for Moose River Plains or the Black River Wars, Schaefer’s campaign was one of the largest and most successful grass roots environmental operations in U.S. history. Howard Zahniser of The Wilderness Society modeled his fight against the Echo Park dam in Utah's Dinosaur National Monument after Schaefer’s work in New York.

Following the success of the Black River Wars, Schaefer went on to lead New York’s environmental movement until his death in 1996. During this time, he was particularly known for his work surrounding the Adirondack Northway; the protection of waterways, rivers, and streams; his film work and writings; and the establishment of protected and preserved areas adjacent to his home in the Schenectady, NY, area. Additionally, Schaefer was a house builder who specialized in historic renovations, unique period-style homes, and adaptive reuse. Schaefer’s Adirondack library grew into the Adirondack Research Center in the 1970s and today is a part of Union College as the Adirondack Research Library of the Kelly Adirondack Center which is located in Schaefer’s former Niskayuna home.

Provenance:

Arrangement:

This series contains correspondence to and from Paul Schaefer as well as correspondence to and from third parties related to conservation and environmental activism. The series is arranged chronologically and spans from 1895-1996. The series contains letters from many notable conservation leaders and politicians including John S. Apperson Jr. (Schaefer’s mentor), Dr. Irving Langmuir, Howard Zahniser, George Marshall, Lithgow Osborne, and Nelson A. Rockefeller. Of particular interest are three letters to Paul Schaefer from Walter Heibel in 1932, 1933, and 1947. Schaefer met Heibel during the 1932 Winter Olympics. These letters portray Heibel’s entrance into nationalism, excited involvement with overseas Nazi propaganda, and his fear of indictment in the Nuremberg trials while being held in a POW camp. There is a large volume of correspondence from 1972 to 1976 from Dr. Peter E. Van de Water, chairman of the organization “Citizens to Save the Adirondack Park,” which opposed Park development by the Horizon Corporation.

1895-1926

• Box# 1
• Folder# 1

1928

• Box# 1
• Folder# 2

1929

• Box# 1
• Folder# 3

1930

• Box# 1
• Folder# 4

1931

• Box# 1
• Folder# 5

1932

• Box# 1
• Folder# 6-7

1933

• Box# 1
• Folder# 8

1934

• Box# 1
• Folder# 9

1935

• Box# 1
• Folder# 10

1936

• Box# 1
• Folder# 11

1937

• Box# 1
• Folder# 12

1938

• Box# 1
• Folder# 13

1939

• Box# 1
• Folder# 14

1940

• Box# 1
• Folder# 15

1941

• Box# 1
• Folder# 16

1942

• Box# 1
• Folder# 17

1943

• Box# 1
• Folder# 18

1944

• Box# 1
• Folder# 19-20

1945

• Box# 1
• Folder# 21-22

1946

• Box# 1
• Folder# 23

1947

• Box# 1
• Folder# 24

1948

• Box# 1
• Folder# 25

1949

• Box# 1
• Folder# 26

1950

• Box# 1
• Folder# 27-28

1951

• Box# 1
• Folder# 29-32

1952

• Box# 2
• Folder# 1-4

1953

• Box# 2
• Folder# 5-6

1954

• Box# 2
• Folder# 7-9

1955

• Box# 2
• Folder# 10-12

1956

• Box# 2
• Folder# 13

1957

• Box# 2
• Folder# 14-15

1958

• Box# 2
• Folder# 16

1959

• Box# 2
• Folder# 17

1960

• Box# 2
• Folder# 18

1961

• Box# 2
• Folder# 19

1962

• Box# 2
• Folder# 20

1963

• Box# 2
• Folder# 21

1964

• Box# 2
• Folder# 22

1965

• Box# 2
• Folder# 23

1966

• Box# 2
• Folder# 24

1967

• Box# 3
• Folder# 1

1968

• Box# 3
• Folder# 2

1969

• Box# 3
• Folder# 3-4

1970

• Box# 3
• Folder# 5-6

1971

• Box# 3
• Folder# 7

1972

• Box# 3
• Folder# 8-13

1973

• Box# 3
• Folder# 14-18

1974

• Box# 3
• Folder# 19-21

1975

• Box# 3
• Folder# 22-23

1976

• Box# 3
• Folder# 24-25

1977

• Box# 3
• Folder# 26

1978

• Box# 4
• Folder# 2-4

1979

• Box# 4
• Folder# 5-6

1980

• Box# 4
• Folder# 7-8

1981

• Box# 4
• Folder# 9-12

1982

• Box# 4
• Folder# 13-16

1983

• Box# 4
• Folder# 17-18

1984

• Box# 4
• Folder# 19-24

1985

• Box# 4
• Folder# 25-28

1986

• Box# 5
• Folder# 3-8

1987

• Box# 5
• Folder# 9-12

1988

• Box# 5
• Folder# 13-15

1989

• Box# 5
• Folder# 16-19

1990

• Box# 5
• Folder# 20-23

1991

• Box# 5
• Folder# 24-25

1992

• Box# 6
• Folder# 2-4

1993

• Box# 6
• Folder# 5-8

1994

• Box# 6
• Folder# 9-10

1995

• Box# 6
• Folder# 11

1996

• Box# 6
• Folder# 12

1930s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 13

1940s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 14

1950s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 15

1960s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 16

1970s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 17

1980s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 18

1990s Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 19

Undated

• Box# 6
• Folder# 20-23

Back to Top

This series is arranged chronologically in three subseries: Litigation (1930-1987), Legislation (1918-1996), and Government Documents (1840-1996). Litigation is primarily composed of documents relating to the case against Ton-Da-Lay Ltd., which was an attempt to build a large second home development on Tupper Lake, NY in the 1970s. Legislation holds Schaefer’s copies of New York State laws that affected the Adirondack State Park, wilderness, and the environment. Government Documents primarily contains material related to the agencies with which Schaefer was involved: the Adirondack Park Agency, Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Adirondack Highway Council.

Litigation

• Box# 6-7

Legislation

• Box# 7

Government Documents

• Box# 7-10

This series is arranged into topical sub-series, which are then arranged chronologically spanning from the 1900s until the 1990s. The publications within this series include speeches and writings by Paul Schaefer, by his various organizations, and publications by others that Schaefer collected throughout the course of his life. Subjects range widely from wilderness philosophy to politics, scientific studies to socio-cultural essays, with many topics in between.

Articles

• Box# 10-12

News Clippings

• Box# 12

Pamphlets

• Box# 12-13

Periodicals

• Box# 13-14

Press Releases

• Box# 14-15

Speeches

• Box# 15

Bound Publications

• Box# 15-16, 18

Hearings

• Box# 12

Sundry Publications

• Box# 15
• Folder# 22

Before his death in 1996 Paul Schaefer, with the assistance of his grandson, began organizing his personal papers into subject file binders in order to ensure that the legacy of his experience and knowledge would continue. After his passing, his grandson, along with some of Schaefer’s protégés, continued this “bindering” for a short period. This series contains the totality of the 364 subject files, arranged alphabetically. The subject files consist of roughly topically organized original and copied manuscripts, pamphlets, and photographs. Occasionally a subject file contains introductory material on the topic compiled by Schaefer or pulled from one of his publications. Many, if not a majority, of these subject files came to the processing team incomplete. Their order has been maintained completely by the processing team. All of the original titles, including archaic and irregular spellings, were kept, save for 51 files subject files which were given the prefix “Paul Schaefer” which consist of Schaefer’s more personal papers.

Access - People with Disabilities Using Motorized Vehicles

• Box# 18
• Folder# 4-7

The Adirondack [I]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 8-9

The Adirondack [II]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 10

The Adirondack Boundary Rivers Tourway

• Box# 18
• Folder# 11-12

Adirondack Cabin Country

• Box# 18
• Folder# 13

Adirondack Conservancy [I]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 14-19

Adirondack Conservancy [II]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 20-23

The Adirondack Conservancy of the Nature Conservancy

• Box# 18
• Folder# 24-25

Adirondack Council [I]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 26

Adirondack Council [II]

• Box# 18
• Folder# 27

Adirondack Documentary (16mm) Of Rivers and Men

• Box# 18
• Folder# 28-30

Adirondack Documentary Film: Of Rivers and Men

• Box# 18
• Folder# 31

Adirondack Environmental History

• Box# 18
• Folder# 32-35

Adirondack Forum, Session V

• Box# 19
• Folder# 1-2

Adirondack Highway Commission, Route 74 Design Report, Travel Corridor UMP, Route 3 and 30 [I]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 3-5

Adirondack Highway Commission [II]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 6-9

Adirondack Highway Commission [III]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 10-12

Adirondack Highway Council [I]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 13-15

Adirondack Highway Council [II]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 16-18

Adirondack Highway Council [III]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 19-21

Adirondack Highway Council: Boundary Rivers Tourway

• Box# 19
• Folder# 22-25

Adirondack Hydro

• Box# 19
• Folder# 26

Adirondack Land Acquisition

• Box# 19
• Folder# 27

The Adirondack Land Hurricane

• Box# 19
• Folder# 28-30

The Adirondack - The Land Nobody Knows [I]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 31-33

The Adirondack - The Land Nobody Knows [II]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 34

The Adirondack - The Land Nobody Knows [III]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 35

The Adirondack - The Land Nobody Knows [IV]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 36

The Adirondack - The Land Nobody Knows [V]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 37

Adirondack Great Camps [I]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 38-41

Adirondack Great Camps [II]

• Box# 19
• Folder# 42

Adirondack Moose River Committee

• Box# 20
• Folder# 4-9

Adirondack Mountain Club

• Box# 20
• Folder# 10

Adirondack Mountain National Park Proposal

• Box# 20
• Folder# 11-13

Adirondack Museum

• Box# 20
• Folder# 14

Adirondack Non-governmental Organization Documents

• Box# 20
• Folder# 15-16

Adirondack Northway

• Box# 20
• Folder# 17-19

Adirondack Park

• Box# 20
• Folder# 20

Adirondack Park Agency [I]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 21-23

Adirondack Park Agency [II]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 24-25

Adirondack Park Agency [III]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 26

Adirondack Park Agency [IV]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 27-29

Adirondack Park Agency [V]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 30-32

Adirondack Park Agency [VI]

• Box# 20
• Folder# 33-34

Adirondack Park Agency Hearing Transcripts

• Box# 20
• Folder# 35-39

Adirondack Park Centennial

• Box# 21
• Folder# 21-24

Adirondack Park Percentage of Use

• Box# 21
• Folder# 25

Adirondack Photography [I]

• Box# 21
• Folder# 26-27

Adirondack Photography [II]

• Box# 21
• Folder# 28-29

Adirondack Park Preliminary Private Land Use and Development Plan

• Box# 21
• Folder# 30

Adirondacks Publication

• Box# 21
• Folder# 31

Adirondacks from the Air

• Box# 21
• Folder# 32

The Adirondacks in Black and White: Photos that tell Stories

• Box# 22
• Folder# 3-5

The Adirondack: Motor Vehicle Use

• Box# 22
• Folder# 6-9

The Adirondacks - The People’s Land

• Box# 22
• Folder# 10-11

The Adirondack Research Center

• Box# 22
• Folder# 12-13

The Adirondack: Where Wilderness Preservation Began

• Box# 22
• Folder# 14

The Adirondack Wilderness

• Box# 22
• Folder# 15-16

Adirondack Wilderness Camp [I]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 17

Adirondack Wilderness Camp [II]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 18-21

The Adirondack Wilderness Essay

• Box# 22
• Folder# 22-24

Alexander Calder Award

• Box# 22
• Folder# 25

American Wildlife Research Foundation

• Box# 22
• Folder# 26-27

Annual Reports - Forest Preserve Committee, New York State Conservation Council

• Box# 22
• Folder# 28-30

Artwork, Stationery

• Box# 22
• Folder# 31-32

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [I]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 33-34

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [II]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 35-37

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [III]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 38-40

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [IV]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 41-42

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [V]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 43-45

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [VI]

• Box# 22
• Folder# 46

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks [VII]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 1-3

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Study Committee

• Box# 23
• Folder# 4-5

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks

• Box# 23
• Folder# 6

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Fall Conference

• Box# 23
• Folder# 7

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Fall Conference

• Box# 23
• Folder# 8

Association for the Protection of the Adirondack: 455th Meeting of the Board of Trustees

• Box# 23
• Folder# 9

The Barge Canal Amendment: A Record of Overconfidence

• Box# 23
• Folder# 10-12

Beaver House [I]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 13

Beaver House [II]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 14

Big Hadley Dam

• Box# 23
• Folder# 15-18

Birds of Mohawk Valley Hiking Club

• Box# 23
• Folder# 19

Cabin Country [I]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 20-22

Cabin Country [II]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 23-25

Cabin Country [III]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 26-28

Capital District Park Commission

• Box# 23
• Folder# 29-30

The Castle

• Box# 23
• Folder# 31

The Closed Cabin Amendment [I]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 32-34

The Closed Cabin Amendment [II]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 35-39

Coalition to Save Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks

• Box# 23
• Folder# 40-41

Commission on the Adirondack for the 21st Century

• Box# 23
• Folder# 42-43

Conservation Easements

• Box# 23
• Folder# 44

The Covenant Protecting Wild Forest Lands in the Adirondack

• Box# 23
• Folder# 45

Couch-sa-chra-ha Association, Inc. [I]

• Box# 23
• Folder# 46-47

Couch-sa-chra-Ga Association, Inc. [II]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 1-4

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc. [III]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 5-6

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc. [IV]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 7-8

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc. [V]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 9-10

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc. [VI]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 11-13

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc. [VII]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 14-15

Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, Inc., Brochures

• Box# 24
• Folder# 16

The Covenant - Protecting the Wild Forest Lands in the Adirondacks and Catskills

• Box# 24
• Folder# 23

Critical Issues Concerning Wild Forest Characteristics in the Adirondacks

• Box# 24
• Folder# 24-26

Deer Clippings, Publications

• Box# 24
• Folder# 27

Deer, White Tail Deer [I]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 28

Deer, White Tail Deer [II]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 29-31

Development of the New York State Forest Preserve

• Box# 24
• Folder# 32

Early Cabin Country [I]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 33-36

Early Cabin Country [II]

• Box# 24
• Folder# 37-39

Early Days Along the Mohawk in the Helderbergs & in the Adirondacks

• Box# 24
• Folder# 40

Early Days of the Adirondack Mountain Club

• Box# 24
• Folder# 41-42

Early Nature Protection

• Box# 24
• Folder# 43

Empire State Sportsmen for the Bond Act

• Box# 24
• Folder# 44

Essay, “The Last Day”

• Box# 24
• Folder# 45

Finch Pruyn

• Box# 24
• Folder# 46-47

Finch Pruyn & Company Bridge

• Box# 25
• Folder# 2

Flowed Lands Flooding Attempt

• Box# 25
• Folder# 3

Follensby Pond [I]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 4

Follensby Pond [II]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 5-6

The Forest Preserve Committee of New York State Conservation Council

• Box# 25
• Folder# 7

The Forest Preserve Centennial

• Box# 25
• Folder# 8

Forest Preserve Land Losses

• Box# 25
• Folder# 9

Forest Preserve Land Loss & Remedial Legislation

• Box# 25
• Folder# 10-12

Friends of the Forest Preserve [I]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 13-14

Friends of the Forest Preserve [II]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 15

Friends of the Forest Preserve, Tax Exemption

• Box# 25
• Folder# 16-17

Gary Randorf

• Box# 25
• Folder# 18

Gary Randorf and Clarence Pretty

• Box# 25
• Folder# 19-20

George Davis

• Box# 25
• Folder# 21-22

George Davis, MacArthur Nomination

• Box# 25
• Folder# 23-24

George D. Davis

• Box# 25
• Folder# 25

George Marshall

• Box# 25
• Folder# 26

Gooley Dam

• Box# 25
• Folder# 27

Governor's Paper

• Box# 25
• Folder# 28

Headquarters

• Box# 25
• Folder# 29-30

“The Heart of the Adirondacks”

• Box# 25
• Folder# 31

High Peaks [I]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 32-35

High Peaks [II]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 36-38

High Peaks [III]

• Box# 25
• Folder# 39

Historic Adirondack Landmarks Council

• Box# 26
• Folder# 3-4

Historic Sagamore Uncas Kill Kare [I]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 5-7

Historic Sagamore Uncas Kill Kare [II]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 8-10

The History of the Friends of the Forest Preserve [I]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 11-14

The History of the Friends of the Forest Preserve [II]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 15-16

The History of the Friends of the Forest Preserve [III]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 17-20

The History of the Friends of the Forest Preserve [IV]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 21-22

The History of Schenectady County Fish and Game

• Box# 26
• Folder# 23-24

Howard Zahniser [I]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 25-28

Howard Zahniser [II]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 29-34

Howard Zahniser [III]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 35-39

Howard Zahniser [IV]

• Box# 26
• Folder# 40-41

Howard Zahniser [V]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 2

Howard Zahniser [VI]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 3

Howard Zahniser [VII]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 4

Howard Zahniser [VIII]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 5

Howard Zahniser [IX]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 6

Howard Zahniser [X]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 7

Howard Zahniser [XI]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 8

Jean Robert Foster [I]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 9

Jean Robert Foster [II]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 10-12

Jean Robert Foster [III]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 13

Joint Legislative Committee Hearing on River Regulation

• Box# 27
• Folder# 14-20

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [I]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 21-23

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [II]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 24-26

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [III]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 27-29

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [IV]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 30-32

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [V]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 33

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [VI]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 34

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [VII]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 35-36

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [VIII]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 37-39

Joint Legislative Committee on Natural Resources [IX]

• Box# 27
• Folder# 40-42

Letters & Essays

• Box# 28
• Folder# 1

“Lithgout Osborn”

• Box# 28
• Folder# 2

Logging

• Box# 28
• Folder# 3

Louis Marshall

• Box# 28
• Folder# 4

Lake George & Miscellaneous Topics

• Box# 28
• Folder# 5

Lake George and Southeastern Adirondacks [I]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 6-8

Lake George and Southeastern Adirondacks [II]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 9-11

Lake George Association

• Box# 28
• Folder# 12-13

Lake George Association

• Box# 28
• Folder# 14-19

Lake George Trespass Case [I]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 20-22

Lake George Trespass Case [II]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 23

Lake George Trespass Case

• Box# 28
• Folder# 24

Lake George Trespass Case, Articles [I]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 25

Lake George Trespass Case, Articles [II]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 26

Lake George Water Levels Controversy

• Box# 28
• Folder# 27

Lake George Trespass Case- People of the State of New York et al. V. Systems Properties, Inc.

• Box# 33
• Folder# 25-29

Lakes and Rivers of the Adirondacks

• Box# 28
• Folder# 28-30

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [I]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 31

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [II]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 32

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [III]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 33

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [IV]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 34

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [V]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 35

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [VI]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 36

Land Acquisition Advisory Committee [VII]

• Box# 28
• Folder# 37

Land Development

• Box# 28
• Folder# 38

Land Development Proposals and Acquisitions in the Adirondacks

• Box# 28
• Folder# 39

Lumbering and Forestry, Adirondack Mountain Club

• Box# 29
• Folder# 1-2

Lumbering and Habitat Management in the Forest Preserve

• Box# 29
• Folder# 3-4

Lumbering and Wildlife Habitat Management in the Forest Preserve [I]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 5-6

Lumbering and Wildlife Habitat Management in the Forest Preserve [II]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 7-9

Miscellaneous Adirondacks [I]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 10-11

Miscellaneous Adirondacks [II]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 12-13

Miscellaneous Adirondacks [III]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 14-15

The Making of a Map

• Box# 29
• Folder# 16

Mohawk Valley Hiking Club

• Box# 29
• Folder# 17-18

Moose River [I]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 19-20

Moose River [II]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 21-22

Moose River [III]

• Box# 29
• Folder# 23-29

Moose River Country

• Box# 29
• Folder# 30-31

Moose River Dams

• Box# 30
• Folder# 1-3

Moose Rivers Dams, Higley Dam Project

• Box# 30
• Folder# 4-5

Moose River Dams: Organized Labor and Panther Mountain Dam

• Box# 30
• Folder# 6-8

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam [I]

• Box# 30
• Folder# 9-10

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam [II]

• Box# 30
• Folder# 11-12

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam [III]

• Box# 30
• Folder# 13-15

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam [IV]

• Box# 30
• Folder# 16-17

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam [V]

• Box# 30
• Folder# 18-19

Moose River Dams, Panther Mountain Dam, End of the Battle

• Box# 30
• Folder# 20

Moose River Dam, Newspaper Editorials Against Panther Mountain Dam

• Box# 30
• Folder# 21

Mount McMartin

• Box# 30
• Folder# 22

New York Waters Program

• Box# 30
• Folder# 23-24

New York State Conservation Council, Inc.

• Box# 30
• Folder# 25-28

New York State Conservation Council, Annual Reports

• Box# 30
• Folder# 29-30

New York State Department of Conservation

• Box# 30
• Folder# 31

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, State Environmental Quality Review Adirondack Park Agency

• Box# 30
• Folder# 32

New York State Forest Preserve Centennial Symposium

• Box# 30
• Folder# 33

New York Wild, Scenic & Recreational Rivers System

• Box# 30
• Folder# 34

Niagara Mohawk Hydro-electric

• Box# 30
• Folder# 35

North Creek Region

• Box# 30
• Folder# 36

Northway and the Adirondack Forest

• Box# 30
• Folder# 37

Open Space Committee [I]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 1

Open Space Committee [II]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 2

Open Space Committee [III]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 3-5

Open Space Committee [IV]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 6

Open Space Committee [v]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 7

Open Space Committee, Final July 24th Meeting

• Box# 31
• Folder# 8

“Of Rivers and Men”

• Box# 31
• Folder# 9

Origins of the Friends of the Forest Preserve

• Box# 31
• Folder# 10-11

Ostrander Banquet [I]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 12-13

Ostrander Banquet [II]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 14

Pamphlets

• Box# 31
• Folder# 15-16

Pigeon Lake Wilderness Unit Management Plan

• Box# 31
• Folder# 17

Pamphlets, Brochures, and Manuscripts

• Box# 31
• Folder# 18

Panther Mountain Dams, Newspaper Editorials

• Box# 31
• Folder# 19-20

PASNY

• Box# 31
• Folder# 21

Paul Schaefer

• Box# 31
• Folder# 22-23

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack - Battle for Rivers and Lakes

• Box# 31
• Folder# 24

Paul Schaefer, Adirondack Cabin Country

• Box# 31
• Folder# 25-26

Paul Schaefer, Adirondack Essay, Special Essay & Statement

• Box# 31
• Folder# 27

Paul Schaefer, Adirondack Magazine Articles

• Box# 31
• Folder# 28-29

Paul Schaefer, “Adirondack Pilgrimage”

• Box# 31
• Folder# 30

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack Selected Articles and Essays

• Box# 31
• Folder# 31

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack Wilderness, Essays [I]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 32

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack Wilderness, Essays [II]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 33

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack Wilderness, Essays [III]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 34

Paul Schaefer, The Adirondack Wilderness, Essays [IV]

• Box# 31
• Folder# 35

Paul Schaefer, Biographical

• Box# 31
• Folder# 36

Paul Schaefer, Biographical Information

• Box# 31
• Folder# 37

Paul Schaefer, Biographical Materials

• Box# 31
• Folder# 38-42

Paul Schaefer, Biography

• Box# 31
• Folder# 43

Paul Schaefer, The Book

• Box# 31
• Folder# 44

Paul Schaefer, The Book, Bills

• Box# 31
• Folder# 45

Paul Schaefer, Cabins and Campsites in the Wilderness

• Box# 32
• Folder# 1

Paul Schaefer, Cabin Country

• Box# 32
• Folder# 2

Paul Schaefer, Cabin Country Manuscript

• Box# 32
• Folder# 3-6

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, Cordial Letters from and to Friends

• Box# 24
• Folder# 17

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, Defending the Wilderness

• Box# 24
• Folder# 18

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, George Marshall

• Box# 24
• Folder# 19

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, George Marshall - Paul Schaefer

• Box# 24
• Folder# 20

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, The Living Wilderness

• Box# 24
• Folder# 21

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence, Richard Westwood

• Box# 24
• Folder# 22

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence

• Box# 32
• Folder# 7-9

Paul Schaefer, Correspondence

• Box# 32
• Folder# 10-12

Paul Schaefer, Defending the Wilderness [I]

• Box# 32
• Folder# 13-17

Paul Schaefer, Defending the Wilderness [II]

• Box# 32
• Folder# 18

Paul Schaefer, Defending the Wilderness [III]

• Box# 32
• Folder# 19

Paul Schaefer, Defending the Wilderness, Draft

• Box# 32
• Folder# 20

Paul Schaefer, Funeral Call Book and Sympathy Cards

• Box# 32
• Folder# 21

Paul Schaefer, George Marshall, Correspondence

• Box# 32
• Folder# 22-23

Paul Schaefer, “Great Men I have known”

• Box# 32
• Folder# 24

Paul Schaefer, "The Making of a Wilderness"

• Box# 32
• Folder# 25

Paul Schaefer, Miscellaneous

• Box# 32
• Folder# 26

Paul Schaefer, “New York Beautiful”

• Box# 32
• Folder# 27

Paul Schaefer, Proposed Book, Schaefer and Jamieson

• Box# 32
• Folder# 28

Paul Schaefer’s Early American Crafts Company

• Box# 32
• Folder# 29

Paul Schaefer, “The Sage of Panther Mountain”

• Box# 32
• Folder# 30

Paul Schaefer, Syracuse Book Report

• Box# 32
• Folder# 31

Paul Schaefer, Selected Writings on the Adirondacks

• Box# 32
• Folder# 32-34

Paul Schaefer, Union College

• Box# 32
• Folder# 35-36

Paul Schaefer, Union College

• Box# 35
• Folder# 28-31

Paul Schaefer, Verplanck Colvin & Hough

• Box# 32
• Folder# 37-40

Paul Schaefer, Winter Camping

• Box# 32
• Folder# 41

Paul Schaefer, Writings, Adirondacks

• Box# 33
• Folder# 1

Paul Schaefer, Writings

• Box# 33
• Folder# 2-18

Paul Schaefer, Writings, The Forest Preserve, The People’s Land

• Box# 33
• Folder# 19-20

Paul Schaefer, Writings, Manuscripts

• Box# 33
• Folder# 21

Paul Schaefer, Writings on Ostrander Amendment

• Box# 33
• Folder# 22

People

• Box# 33
• Folder# 23-24

Harry Ratford

• Box# 33
• Folder# 30

Perkins Clearing Land Exchange

• Box# 33
• Folder# 31

Highly Mountain Dam, Adirondacks, Photographic Record

• Box# 33
• Folder# 32

Members of the Constitutional Convention

• Box# 33
• Folder# 33

The Power of Sportsmen: Forest Preserve Reports

• Box# 33
• Folder# 34-35

Preservation of Adirondack Woods, Waters, and Wildlife [I]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 1

Preservation of Adirondack Woods, Waters, and Wildlife [II]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 2-4

Publications on Conservation

• Box# 34
• Folder# 5-6

Regional Water Supply Legislation

• Box# 34
• Folder# 7

Recreation Amendment

• Box# 34
• Folder# 8

The Relief Map

• Box# 34
• Folder# 9

The Response from the Association for the Protection of the Adirondack to the Report from the Commission on the Adirondacks in the 21st Century

• Box# 34
• Folder# 10

Rivers [I]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 11

Rivers [II]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 12

Robert Marsh, Truck Trails

• Box# 34
• Folder# 13

Robert Watson Pomery

• Box# 34
• Folder# 14-16

Sagamore Land Exchange Program Ballot Proposal.

• Box# 34
• Folder# 17

Schenectady

• Box# 34
• Folder# 18

Schenectady County Conservation Council [I]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 19-23

Schenectady County Conservation Council [II]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 24-29

Schenectady County Conservation Council [III]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 30

Schenectady County Conservation Council [IV]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 31

Schenectady County Conservation Council [V]

• Box# 34
• Folder# 32

Scientific Forestry

• Box# 35
• Folder# 5

Most of Life's Trail, Scrapbook

• Box# 35
• Folder# 6

Siamese Ponds Wilderness [I]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 7-8

Siamese Ponds Wilderness [II]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 9

Siamese Ponds Wilderness Areas and Silver Lakes Wilderness

• Box# 35
• Folder# 10-11

Siamese Pond Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan [I]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 12

Siamese Pond Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan [II]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 13

Siamese Pond Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan [III]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 14

Slide Mountain Panther, Unit Management Plan

• Box# 35
• Folder# 15

Solid Waste

• Box# 35
• Folder# 16

Solid Waste

• Box# 35
• Folder# 17-18

Sportsmen Issues

• Box# 35
• Folder# 19-21

Stafford Harris Bill, Crane Pond Road

• Box# 35
• Folder# 22

Supplementary Adirondack Issues Including Dams and Reservoirs

• Box# 35
• Folder# 23

Syracuse University Press “Adirondack Faces”

• Box# 35
• Folder# 24

Transition Zone Area

• Box# 35
• Folder# 25

Ton-da-Lay-Dec

• Box# 35
• Folder# 26-27

The Upper Hudson [I]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 32

The Upper Hudson [II]

• Box# 35
• Folder# 33-34

The Upper Hudson [III]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 1-4

The Upper Hudson [IV]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 5

Upper Hudson and Gooley Dam

• Box# 36
• Folder# 6-7

Upper Hudson and Gooley Dam Material

• Box# 36
• Folder# 8-9

The Upper Hudson, Historic Adirondack Photos [I]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 10-12

The Upper Hudson, Historic Adirondack Photos [II]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 1-3

The Upper Hudson, Lifeblood of the Adirondacks

• Box# 36
• Folder# 16

Verplank Colvin

• Box# 36
• Folder# 17-18

Whitney Estate

• Box# 36
• Folder# 19

Wild Animals of North America

• Box# 36
• Folder# 20

Wilderness Areas, General [I]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 21-22

Wilderness Areas, General [II]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 23-24

Wilderness Areas, General [III]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 25-26

Wilderness in New York [I]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 27-28

Wilderness in New York [II]

• Box# 36
• Folder# 29-30

Wilderness of New York

• Box# 36
• Folder# 31-35

Wilderness Society Act

• Box# 36
• Folder# 36-37

Wildlife Task Force - Encon

• Box# 36
• Folder# 38

Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River System

• Box# 37
• Folder# 3-5

4H - Leaders' Guides

• Box# 37
• Folder# 6

21st Century Environmental Quality Bond Act

• Box# 37
• Folder# 7

50th, 75th, 100th Celebrations of Adirondack Park

• Box# 37
• Folder# 8-9

1990 Adirondack Commission

• Box# 37
• Folder# 10

Back to Top

This series contains documents related to the twelve year long battle against the proposed dams on Panther Mountain and Higley Mountain in the Adirondacks. Arranged into topical sub-series, this series spans 1944-1964 (bulk 1944-1956) and contains correspondence, organizational records, legal and legislative documents, and publications created by both Paul Schaefer and the over-100 groups he successfully organized into various coalitions against the dams.

Correspondence

• 2.8 Cubic Feet
• Box# 37-38

Legislation & Litigation

• 1.5 cubic feet
• Box# 38-39

Organizational Records

• .6 Cubic Feet
• Box# 39

Publications

• .6 Cubic Feet
• Box# 39

Sundry

• .3 Cubic Feet
• Box# 39

This series is divided into two subseries: Projects which are arranged alphabetically and Business Documents which are arranged chronologically. This series spans 1930 until the 1990s, with the bulk of the material falling between 1960 and 1979. Notable Projects include the Adirondack Cooking Crane, which Paul Schaefer developed and patented, Gore Mountain Inn, which he designed, the Warren County Courthouse, which he renovated, and the Open Space Land Program, where he worked as a consultant for the town of Lake George, NY. Also of interest are the large number of architectural drawings included in this series. Business Documents contains records from his historical home construction and renovation company and other business ventures.

Projects

• Box# 40-41

Business Documents

• Box# 41

This series contains records from the near-innumerable conservation organizations with which Schaefer was involved throughout the course of his life. This series includes records from 1910 until 1996 and was arranged chronologically with a run of undated documents with known decades grouped at the end. The organizational records in this series include meeting minutes, resolutions, member lists, financial materials, and research the organizations compiled regarding various environmental issues. Notable organizations Paul Schaefer was involved with include: the Friends of the Forest Preserve, the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, the Couch-sa-chra-ga Association, the New York State Conservation Council, Inc., and the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club.

1910

• Box# 42
• Folder# 1

1918

• Box# 42
• Folder# 2

1920-1924

• Box# 42
• Folder# 3

1927

• Box# 42
• Folder# 4

1928

• Box# 42
• Folder# 5

1929

• Box# 42
• Folder# 6

1931

• Box# 42
• Folder# 7

1932

• Box# 42
• Folder# 8-9

1933

• Box# 42
• Folder# 10

1934

• Box# 42
• Folder# 11

1935

• Box# 42
• Folder# 12

1936

• Box# 42
• Folder# 13

1937

• Box# 42
• Folder# 14

1938

• Box# 42
• Folder# 15

1939

• Box# 42
• Folder# 16

1940

• Box# 42
• Folder# 17

1941

• Box# 42
• Folder# 18

1942

• Box# 42
• Folder# 19

1943

• Box# 42
• Folder# 20

1944

• Box# 42
• Folder# 21

1945

• Box# 42
• Folder# 22-23

1946

• Box# 42
• Folder# 24

1947

• Box# 42
• Folder# 25

1948

• Box# 42
• Folder# 26

1949

• Box# 42
• Folder# 27

1950

• Box# 42
• Folder# 28-29

1951

• Box# 42
• Folder# 30-32

1952

• Box# 42
• Folder# 33

1953

• Box# 42
• Folder# 34

1954

• Box# 42
• Folder# 35

1955

• Box# 42
• Folder# 36

1956

• Box# 42
• Folder# 37

1957

• Box# 42
• Folder# 38

1958

• Box# 42
• Folder# 39

1959

• Box# 42
• Folder# 40

1960

• Box# 42
• Folder# 41

1961

• Box# 42
• Folder# 42

1962

• Box# 42
• Folder# 43-44

1963

• Box# 42
• Folder# 45

1964

• Box# 42
• Folder# 46

1965

• Box# 43
• Folder# 1-2

1966

• Box# 43
• Folder# 3

1967

• Box# 43
• Folder# 4

1968

• Box# 43
• Folder# 5

1969

• Box# 43
• Folder# 6

1970

• Box# 43
• Folder# 7

1971

• Box# 43
• Folder# 8

1972

• Box# 43
• Folder# 9-11

1973

• Box# 43
• Folder# 12

1974

• Box# 43
• Folder# 13

1975

• Box# 43
• Folder# 14

1976

• Box# 43
• Folder# 15

1977

• Box# 43
• Folder# 16

1978

• Box# 43
• Folder# 17

1979

• Box# 43
• Folder# 18

1980

• Box# 43
• Folder# 19

1981

• Box# 43
• Folder# 20

1982

• Box# 43
• Folder# 21

1983

• Box# 43
• Folder# 22

1984

• Box# 43
• Folder# 23

1985

• Box# 43
• Folder# 24-25

1986

• Box# 43
• Folder# 26-27

1987

• Box# 43
• Folder# 28-30

1988

• Box# 43
• Folder# 31-32

1989

• Box# 44
• Folder# 2-6

1990

• Box# 44
• Folder# 7-9

1991

• Box# 44
• Folder# 10-11

1992

• Box# 44
• Folder# 12

1993

• Box# 44
• Folder# 13

1994

• Box# 44
• Folder# 14

1995

• Box# 44
• Folder# 15

1996

• Box# 44
• Folder# 16

1930s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 17

1940s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 18

1950s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 19

1960s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 20

1970s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 21

1980s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 22

1990s Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 23

Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 24-30

Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Undated

• Box# 44
• Folder# 31

Back to Top

This series contains miscellaneous materials and materials that either do not directly relate to the Adirondacks or environmentalism or do not fit readily elsewhere in the series arrangement. This series is arranged chronologically and topically. Notable items are a program from the Trapp Family Singers from 1948, a handmade map of the location of Paul Schaefer’s home on St. Davids Lane in Niskayuna, a sign warning of fire danger from a blowdown in 1950, sheet music for songs about the Adirondacks by David E. Nichols, and Paul Schaefer’s honorary doctoral degree from Union College.

1902-1946

• Box# 44
• Folder# 32

1947-1962

• Box# 44
• Folder# 33

1965-1971

• Box# 44
• Folder# 34

1976-1979

• Box# 44
• Folder# 35

1980-1982

• Box# 45
• Folder# 1

1983-1985

• Box# 45
• Folder# 2

1986

• Box# 45
• Folder# 3-4

1990-1992

• Box# 45
• Folder# 5

1993

• Box# 45
• Folder# 6-7

1995-1996

• Box# 45
• Folder# 8

1930s Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 9

1950s Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 10

1980s Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 11

1990s Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 12

Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 13-14

Undated Handwritten

• Box# 45
• Folder# 15-16

Awards & Resolutions, Oversize

• 1 Folder
• Box# 85
• Folder# 3

Camping and Hunting Permits

• Box# 45
• Folder# 17

Club Membership Cards

• Box# 45
• Folder# 18

Family

• Box# 45
• Folder# 19

Finances

• Box# 45
• Folder# 20-21

Floppy Disks

• Box# 82
• Folder# 11

Illustrations

• Box# 45
• Folder# 22-23

Maps

• Box# 45
• Folder# 24-32

Niskayuna Varsity Letters

• Box# 45
• Folder# 33

Notebooks

• Box# 45
• Folder# 34

Notecards

• Box# 45
• Folder# 35

Photocopies

• Box# 45
• Folder# 36

Postcards

• Box# 45
• Folder# 37

Miscellaneous Schaefer Writings, 1929-1994

• Box# 45
• Folder# 38

Miscellaneous Schaefer Writings, Undated

• Box# 45
• Folder# 39

Rolled Items

• 5 Undefined
• Box# 86

Sheet Music

• Box# 45
• Folder# 40

Signs

• Box# 45
• Folder# 41

Stickers & Stamps

• Box# 45
• Folder# 42

Transparencies

• Box# 45
• Folder# 43

Union College Diploma

• Box# 45
• Folder# 44

Oversize

• 1 Folder
• Box# 85
• Folder# 4

Back to Top

This series contains all of the audio visual materials within the collection. The items in this series range from the 1920s until the 1990s. Arranged by media, this series has eight sub-series: Audio Recordings, Facsimiles & Lithographs, Photographic Prints, Photographic Slides, Photographic Negatives, Photogravures, Moving Images, and Oversize. Within each sub-series items are arranged topically. Although the majority of the original order was not recoverable, all of Schaefer’s albums and personal arrangements were retained where found.

Audio Recordings

• 24 Cassettes
• Box# 82
• Folder# 1-10

Facsimiles & Lithographs

• 8 Folders
• Box# 79
• Folder# 39

Photographic Prints

• 5.75 Cubic Feet
• Box# 46-70

Photographic Slides

• 5 Boxes
• Box# 71-78

Photographic Negatives

• 3 Boxes
• Box# 79-81

Photogravures

• 7 Undefined
• Box# 81
• Folder# 23-26

Moving Images

• 4 Folders
• Box# 82
• Folder# 12-15

Oversize