To see a historic site restored to its former glory is always a welcome sight. Thanks to the New York State DEC, one of the most distinguished and popular landmarks in the Adirondacks will undergo maintenance and renovations to preserve it for future generations.
Photo courtesy of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
The Camp Santanoni Historic Area takes its name from Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark and one of the Adirondacks’ surviving Great Camps. Theodore Roosevelt and other prominent figures stayed at the camp during its heyday, and the entire area once included over 12,900 acres. Today, the 32-acre Historic Area is made up of three parts: The Gate Lodge Complex (stone gate lodge, boat house, guide house), the Main Complex (main lodge, stone Artist’s Studio, boat house), and the Farm Complex (dairy barn ruins, several houses).
The DEC’s recently finalized Camp Santanoni Historic Area management plan is partly a reaction to the 2004 fire which burned down the historic dairy barn. Officials realized they needed to do more to protect the property and those who enjoy it. As a result, new safety measures are front and center in the new management plan.
Together with the Town of Newcomb and Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the DEC will coat the existing buildings with a fire retardant and install a fire alarm system. Also, a soon-to-be-constructed pole barn with maintenance equipment will give staff the ability to make repairs at a moment’s notice.
Other parts of the management plan focus on making renovations to the Farm Complex. The DEC and its partners will begin fundraising for the construction of a replica dairy barn to replace the one that was destroyed. That particular project is estimated to cost $1-1.5 million. Additionally, the DEC will officially connect a nearby apple orchard and vegetable garden to the Farm Complex, so that maintenance can be provided to these former farm areas.
Overall, the plan aims to ensure that Camp Santanoni can be enjoyed far into the future by both recreation enthusiasts and history buffs.
Source:
- DEC – DEC Announces Final Management Plan for Camp Santanoni Historic Area Allowing for More Restoration and Maintenance
