Series to explore the social history of the Adirondacks

Publication Date

“Who Were the Adirondackers?” a five-part “lunch and learn” series exploring the social history of the Adirondacks with Hallie Bond, will be held at Union’s Kelly Adirondack Center beginning Monday, Jan. 13.

The series is open to the public; the cost is $5 per presentation or $20 for the series.

Bond was a staff member of the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake for 30 years. She conceived and managed the nationally-known No-Octane Regatta, and is the organizer of numerous field trips, hikes and canoe trips. Her writing on regional history and material culture has appeared in a number of scholarly journals, magazines and books. She lives in Long Lake with her husband, author and boat builder Mason Smith.

All talks are from 1 to 2 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring a bag lunch; cookies and drinks will be provided.

Space is limited. For information and to register, contact Becky Schubmehl at schubmer@union.edu or (518) 388-6101.

The Kelly Adirondack Center is at 897 St. David’s Lane, Niskayuna.

The schedule:

Monday, Jan. 13: Boats and Boating in the Adirondacks

Adirondack waterways, once essential for transportation, are now used for recreation. From birch bark canoes to power boats, the story of boats and boating is the story of the Adirondack people.

Monday, Jan. 27: Eating Local in the Adirondacks

Within living memory, Adirondackers ate local not by choice but by necessity. This presentation will explore the story of food and eating in the Adirondacks by prehistoric hunter-gatherers to Depression-era farmers in hunting camps, lumber camps, farmhouses and rustic mansions.

Monday, Feb. 10: Common Threads: Adirondack Quilts Tell Their Stories

Quilting, an Adirondack tradition for a century-and-a-half, tells stories about the joys and hardships of wilderness life, close-knit families and community; and the beauty of nature.

Monday, Feb. 24: Dog Days in the Adirondacks

Without dogs as hunters, haulers, farm workers and companions, human life in the Adirondacks would have been much harder and lonelier. This session will illuminate some of the nooks and crannies of the lesser-known history of canines in the Adirondacks.

Monday, March 10: A discussion exploring the themes of the series.