Big Grant For Fort Ti

Fort Ticonderoga has been awarded a federal education grant that will be used to host history workshops for teachers next summer.

Officials at Fort Ti say the grant for $170,000 comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The fort will use the grant for its two-weeklong Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops for 72 school teachers in the summer of 2016.

The workshops will focus on the American Revolution's northern frontier and Fort Ticonderoga's key role in the events leading up to the Battles of Saratoga in 1777.

Fort Ticonderoga was one of 22 institutions nationwide and four institutions in New York state to receive NEH grants for Landmarks Workshops in 2016.

Story: Courtesy The Associated Press. October 14, 2015

Exploring Frontier Town

POSTCARD FROM THE SCHROON LAKER COLLECTION

Via urbanpostportemwordpresswebsite

By Chad Abramovich

Copyright. All rights Reserved 2015

Most people my age aren’t likely to recall Frontier Town, a once prominent destination turned ghost town in the woods of tiny North Hudson, New York, but there are plenty of people who will tell you that it used to be great,  and once integral to the once-thriving Adirondack tourism heyday of the mid 20th century.

I’ve mentioned Frontier Town before in an earlier blog entry, but never truly got around to exploring it until recently. Frontier Town is a massive place, it’s kitschy ruins stretch unassumingly from the roadsides of Routes 9 and 84, and far back out of sight on the sprawling property at the bottom of shady hollows and a myriad of cold swamps that pulse with mosquitoes in the summers. Because the property is so large, it’s very difficult to get a good idea of just how much there is to see, until you start exploring for yourself. It’s taken me 3 trips to see a good deal of it, and I still feel like I’ve been unprepared with every visit.

My trips started back in 2012, which were focused on the assortment of abandoned motels and cabins lining Route 9 that once served the motel, and slowly, I would move inwards.

In 1951, Arthur Bensen, a Staten Island entrepreneur who installed telephones for a living, toured the northeast with $40,000, to find a location suitable for building his dream project which would be far more ambitious than his current profession; an amusement park. 267 wooded acres in North Hudson would seal the deal, and despite having no construction skills and no real income after purchasing the property, he went to work. He was known for his amiable personality, someone who was convincing and charismatic, and got many North Hudson locals on board with helping him build the theme park, despite some of them thinking that both him and his idea was crazy. But his tenaciousness and optimism paid off, as his dream began to take shape. Using his 1951 Chevy, he would drag timber behind his car to build many of the log cabins around the site that still stand today. Check out more of Chad's post, right here.

Adirondack Story Telling: Right Here In Schroon

Story telling is a rich tradition in the Adirondacks. Not only tall stories, but stories that present a living history of what life was like in these parts years ago. And Merritt Hulst, who has deep roots here, wants to preserve that tradition and keep those stories alive.

That’s why he is behind tonight’s inaugural story telling event at The BoatHouse. Tonight’s topic is What’s Special About Schroon and Jobs of Yesteryear in Schroon. The event goes from 7 pm - to 8:30pm

Merritt and his wife Analise Rigan started this tradition in their home, The Paradox Lake House a couple of years ago.

It grew out of Merritt’s memories of the grand home -- now a B&B -- when he was a boy, when his family hosted refugees from the city in the summer months. The Inn became an informal gathering place for locals – often packed to the rafters at mealtimes.

“It was a real community center, we were always hearing stories,” Merritt told Schroon Laker.

“It’s important to keep those stories alive and they are bought to life when told and others can listen to them, and pass them on”.

So if you’d love to hear some stories, or have one to share, please head over to the Boathouse tonight.

With Schroon’s rich history, there should no shortage of stories to be shared tonight – Merritt and Analise have their own amazing yarn to tell about the Paradox Inn, and how they lovingly bought her back to life. Their account was published in the  June  2015 edition of Adirondack Life magazine, which you can read here  -- or better yet, go hear it from then horse’s mouth.

American Pickers Heading to the 'Dacks

You may be sitting on what's known by collectors as "rusty gold.". And it may be hidden in your old barn or shed. That's exactly what the stars of American Pickers, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, are looking for when they bring their hit TV show to the Lake Geiorge area in April.

If you have a large collection or want to refer someone to Mike and Frank, email: your name, number, address and description of the collection and photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com, or call 1-855-old-rust.

From the Producers: 

"AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on History. This hit show follows two of the most skilled pickers in the business, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, as they embark on an epic road trip across the U.S. in search of America’s most valuable antiques from motorcycles, classic cars and bicycles to one-of-a-kind vintage memorabilia. Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle America, restore forgotten relics to their former glory, and learn a thing or two about American history along the way. Filming is scheduled to start next month.  AMERICAN PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore what you may have. They are on the hunt for interesting characters with interesting and unique items.  AMERICAN PICKERS is produced by Cineflix Productions for History. New episodes air Wednesdays at 9pm on History."