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The Illusion of Roughing It: Adirondack Great Camps of the Vanderbilts and JP Morgan

Program Number: 14875RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/26/2012 - 8/29/2012; 6/4/2013 - 6/7/2013; 8/25/2013 - 8/28/2013; 9/8/2013 - 9/11/2013; 10/14/2013 - 10/17/2013;
Duration: 3 nights
Location: Raquette Lake, New York
Price starting at: $399.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: History & Culture
Meals: 8; 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners    

Get a taste of the Gilded Age version of “roughing it” as you stay in the Adirondack wilderness estate once owned by the Vanderbilts. Camp Sagamore is situated on pristine Sagamore Lake, and its rustic architecture and main lodge with stone fireplace and spectacular views recalls the opulent era of the “Robber Barons.” Learn about the heyday of the Adirondack Great Camps and the fascinating work being done to preserve this historical era. Of course, there’s plenty of time to canoe the lake, explore the wilderness on the camp’s 20 miles of trails, play croquet or just relax.




Highlights

• With experts, uncover the heritage of Camp Sagamore and J.P. Morgan’s Camp Uncas.
• Visit the guest houses and imagine servants catering to you during summer trips with the Vanderbilts.
• A famous Adirondack storyteller and singer gives insights into local folklore.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking, some stairs. Shuttle available to classrooms. Optional walking/hiking up to two miles with elevation increase of 200 feet.




Date Specific Information

8-26-2012

This program runs concurrently with program #16454 Kayaking the Adirondacks. Visit roadscholar.org for more information.



6-4-2013

This course is offered concurrently with #14872: Boreal Birds of the Adirondacks. Please note that June is black fly season in the Adirondack Mountains. Although Sagamore will provide insect repellents and bug jackets, please prepare accordingly.



Coordinated by Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks.




Raquette Lake

Raquette Lake’s pristine water and wooded lakeshores are located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Great Camp Sagamore, founded by the Vanderbilt family in 1897 and now a National Historic Landmark, shares this wilderness area.
Accommodations
National Historic Landmark-designated buildings.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Jeffrey Flagg
Dr. Jeff Flagg is the assistant director of the Sagamore Institute, and has been at Sagamore since completing a doctoral internship in 1997. A scholar of the Adirondack region, he received his Ph.D. in American culture studies from Bowling Green University in 1999, and also has degrees in business and literature. He is deeply invested in the history of the camp, the region and the park, and has taught at several colleges in the area, as well as innumerable Road Scholar programs.
 
Bill Smith
Bill Smith is renowned for possessing all the skills associated with the Adirondack guides of lore. He is a performance-minded storyteller, a musician and songwriter, an educator deeply knowledgeable on the area’s flora and fauna, and a maker of twig mosaic furniture and wooden baskets hewn from logs. Road Scholar participants find their time with Bill to always be enjoyable, educational and entertaining.
 
Beverly Bridger
Beverly Bridger is the executive director of Great Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks and a certified teacher. She has a particular interest in the Vanderbilts, who owned the camp for over 50 years. These wilderness retreats are a manifestation of the Gilded Age, and today Sagamore is the only one open to the public for visits and residential programs. Beverly enjoys exploring the characteristics of the Gilded Age with Road Scholar participants and challenges them to compare it to the current era.
 
Michael Wilson
Dr. Michael Wilson created the Adirondack Studies Program at the State University of New York, Potsdam. As the associate director of Sagamore, he trains the historic interpreters annually and has received kudos from the Michelin Guide, the Upstate History Alliance, and the New York State Arts and Business Partnership Association. A scholar and teacher, his love of his subject is immediately evident.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Sagamore
  Raquette Lake, NY 3 nights
 Sagamore
Type: Lodge
  Description: Sagamore’s authentic buildings dating from 1897 are situated on a peninsula jutting into pristine and picturesque Sagamore Lake. The Adirondack Forest Preserve surrounds the entire 27-building Sagamore estate owned by the Alfred Vanderbilt family from 1901-1954. Its wood and stone buildings are the vernacular rustic architecture on which our National Park lodges were modeled. Sagamore’s remote location removed from the normal hubbub will allow your full concentration on learning, the camaraderie of the people at hand, and the history that envelops you. As a guest at Sagamore, you will be accommodated in our historic buildings in (mostly) double occupancy rooms with twin beds and bathrooms, many with footed tubs, in the hallways. Most of our guests are housed in one of our three lodges each sleeping 20. In summer you may be assigned to a cottage sleeping up to seven. There are no telephones in rooms, no cell service, and no TV so your relaxation is assured. Our chef will carefully prepare buffet meals from which you will make your selections. The buffet is served in our paneled dining room with splendid views of Sagamore Lake. Everyone is called to meals by the bell. One of the highlights of our dining experience is our excellent water. Please do not bring bottled water with you. You may purchase beer and wine to accompany your meal. The dining hall seats 99. During free time many of our guests enjoy our hiking trails and canoeing. All guests are given a free pass to our award-winning guided tour. We also recommend a cruise aboard the W.W. Durant on Raquette Lake and a trip to the “Smithsonian of the Adirondacks,” the Adirondack Museum. Sagamore has four meeting rooms varying in size from 20 to 150. Two of them have fireplaces. There is also a lean-to where you can sleep or enjoy a campfire. Nothing at Sagamore is paved. Sagamore has 20 miles of hiking trails.
  Contact info: Sagamore Road
PO Box 40
Raquette Lake, NY 13436 USA
phone: 315-354-5311 x21
web: www.sagamore.org
  Facility amenities: Sagamore is on a private lake. Canoes are available for guest use. Sagamore is also surrounded by 20 miles of hiking trails. The polpular lake trail is an easy 3 1/2 mile walk.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: Not all baths are private. Some baths have a shower only. Some have a tub only.
  Additional nights prior: 99 Based on availability. We are happy to accommodate these requests whenever possible.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: 99 Based on availability. We are happy to accommodate these requests whenever possible.
  Check out time: 10:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
4PM starts check in at Great Camp Sagamore You will be staying at Sagamore that night.
  End of Program:
10AM You will be staying at Sagamore the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Health form.
  Parking availability:
There is a parking lot for Sagamore guests. It is free.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Raquette Lake, NY
  Nearest city or town:  Raquette Lake, NY
  Nearest highway: Rte.90 to the south, Rte.87 to the east
  Nearest airport:  Albany, NY
  From End of Program
  Location: Raquette Lake, NY
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

 

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

   

Unfortunately there isn’t any public transportation to Sagamore. Amtrak serves Albany (Rensselaer) and Utica. The nearest airports are located in Syracuse and Albany. Bus service reaches only to Warrensburg. Limo service is expensive, but available from the airports in Syracuse and Albany. For more information on limo services, please contact your local AAA agent or visit www.yellowpages.com. Most guests prefer to rent a car from the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  Albany, NY Drive time: Albany to Sagamore 2 ¾ hours. I-87 to x23 to Rte. 28 to Raquette Lake. Follow I-87 north to exit 23, Warrensburg. If you have time on the way, stop in Saratoga Springs. Exit 14 will take you quickly to the famous racetrack. Exit 15 is for shopping. If you would like to see Glens Falls, take exit 18 or 19 (shopping mall.) Lake George Outlet Stores are at exit 20. Continue north past the Great Escape amusement park. Take exit 23 and turn LEFT to Warrensburg. Follow concurrently Rte 9 and 28 through the town until Rte. 28 peels off to the LEFT. You will follow Rte. 28 for about an hour ½ to Raquette Lake. The scenery is lovely forested mountains and lakes. You will often be following the Hudson River and will pass Gore Mountain ski resort on your way up Blue Mountain. When you reach the small town of Blue Mountain Lake you will cross a continental divide separating waters that flow south to the Hudson River or north to the St. Lawrence River. At the “T” turn left and continue on Rte. 28 the last 12 miles to Raquette Lake, the largest natural lake in the Adirondacks. Look to your right to see Blue Mountain as you cross the second causeway. Sagamore Road is well marked just past the school. You will turn LEFT and follow the four-mile road to the “registered guest” gate. Do not look for other signs. You are driving through protected Forest Preserve lands and signage is not permitted. At Sagamore’s gate, let yourself in. You are welcome!
  GPS/Website Map Instructions • Garmon Handheld GPS: Search 'Great Camp Sagamore' as a point of interest OR type 1105 Sagamore Road; RAQUETTE LAKE (make sure you list Raquette Lake!) - either will give accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. • TomTom GPS: (currently the most popular GPS system): Search for SAGAMORE, NEW YORK - as a town, and it will give you accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. While Sagamore, NY does not actually exist, this seems to work while we wait for technology to catch up to the Adirondack region! • Google Maps or Mapquest users: Search for SAGAMORE, NEW YORK - as a town, and it will give you accurate directions to Great Camp Sagamore. While Sagamore, NY does not actually exist, this seems to work while we wait for technology to catch up to the Adirondack region!
  Plattsburgh, NY Drive time: Plattsburgh to Sagamore, 3 hours. I-87 to Rte 3 to Rte. 30 to Rte 28 to Raquette Lake. Take the Plattsburgh exit off I-87 and head southwest to Saranac Lake on Rte. 3. If you have extra time consider this alternative: continue south on I-87 to exit 30, the Lake Placid exit. Lake Placid was the site of both the 1932 and the 1980 winter Olympics and you can visit the venues and museums of the games. Continue from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake on Rte. 86. You are in the Adirondack Park, a six-million acre forest preserve with public and private lands. Saranac Lake was founded by Dr. Trudeau (the cartoonist Gary’s great grandfather) as a wilderness cure for tuberculosis. It is still a medical research center and charming 19th century town. Follow Rte. 3 from Saranac Lake to Tupper Lake. Tupper is the home to the newly opened natural history museum, the Wild Center. Continue on Rte. 30 from Tupper to Long Lake on a straight road known for its scenery and speed traps. Be cautious. Continue on Rte. 30 to Blue Mountain Lake, home of the famous 27-building Adirondack Museum. At the bottom of the hill you will follow Rte.28 the last 12 miles to Raquette Lake, the largest natural lake in the Adirondacks. Look to your right to see Blue Mountain as you cross the second causeway. Sagamore Road is well marked just past the school. You will turn LEFT and follow the four-mile road to the “registered guest” gate. Do not look for other signs. You are driving through protected Forest Preserve lands and signage is not permitted. At Sagamore’s gate, let yourself in. You are welcome!
  Utica, NY Drive time: Utica to Sagamore, 1 ½ hours. Rte.12 north to Rte. 28 to Raquette Lake. Follow Rte. 12 north to Rte. 28. Utica, an industrial town, is located in the Mohawk River valley. On Rte. 12 you will climb out of the valley through rolling hills. Rte. 28 peels off to the right. Along it you will see the deep forests and lovely lakes of the six-million acre Adirondack Park. The Adirondacks are a patchwork of public and private lands. Follow Rte.28 to the town of Old Forge with its famous landmark, Old Forge Hardware. Old Forge is also the home of New York’s largest water park, Water Safari. Old Forge is the beginning of the Fulton Chain of lakes (yes, Fulton as in steamship) and the starting point of the Adirondack Canoe Classic (also called the “90-miler”) the weekend after Labor Day every year. The Classic is a three-day race for no-octane boats from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Continue on Rte. 28 another 25 miles to Raquette Lake, the largest natural lake in the Adirondacks. Sagamore Road is well marked just before the school. You will turn RIGHT and follow the four-mile road to the “registered guest” gate. Do not look for other signs. You are driving through protected Forest Preserve lands and signage is not permitted. At Sagamore’s gate, let yourself in. You are welcome!
Elevation Note: Sagamore is at 1900 feet.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Orientation
(Sunday, August 26)
   
 Arrive To: Arrive at Sagamore between 4PM and 6PM for check in.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6PM in the Dining Hall. You will select from a buffet.
 Evening: Dinner is followed by announcements. Then please meet for evening introductions, orientation, schedule overview, and a short presentation on Sagamore's history, preservation, and programs. Then relax and retire.
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: "Vanderbilt day": Lecture/Lecture/tour/DVD presentation
(Monday, August 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at 8AM in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: After breakfast we will meet for an overview of Vanderbilt and the Gilded Age era which gave birth to the great camps of the Adirondacks. We will learn the building functions and envision the lifestyle they contained a century ago. We will meet Cornelius Vanderbilt, the first American to amass personal wealth.
 Lunch: Lunch is at noon in the Dining Hall.
 Afternoon: After lunch we will take the full tour of the 27 buildings at Great Camp Sagamore. Our afternoon lesson will include a visit to the historic gasoline (yes, really) lighting system in the basement of the Main Lodge. In later afternoon there will be free time to enjoy the lake and trails or to view the permanent exhibit and virtual tour or to shop. You might also try your skill at croquet, Mrs. Vanderbilt's favorite game.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6PM in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: After dinner, our third buffet meal of the day in the dining hall, we will see a video produced by the A&E network called "Adirondack Camps" a segment of the America's Castles series. After that you may be beckoned by a jigsaw puzzle or board game with your fellow participants. Remember, Sagamore has no TV so your relaxation is assured.
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: "Morgan day": Lecture/tour/walk out of doors/Lecture/Entertainment
(Tuesday, August 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is at 8AM in the Dining Hall.
 Morning: We will go to Uncas, our sister camp. Uncas belonged to JP Morgan. We will make the 2 mile walk on foot (rise of 200 feet), or you may opt to catch our car shuttle instead. We will view Durant's second camp,only half the size of Sagamore, but considered his first fully realized creative ensemble of buildings. Then we will return to Sagamore.
 Lunch: After seeing Uncas we will eat lunch.
 Afternoon: We will learn about the Adirondack Park itself, a 6 million-acre experiment in a recovering wilderness. Now 50%-50% state and public land, we will discuss the kinds of issues that arise when people live in a park. Following the session, there will be time to play sports or games or relax.
 Dinner: Dinner is at 6PM in the Dining Hall.
 Evening: Tonight we are in for a real treat. Our entertainment is all-Adirondack with stories and songs from a true raconteur. Crowd-pleaser doesn't begin to cover it!
   
Accommodations: Sagamore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Lecture/DVD presentation
(Wednesday, August 29)
   
 Breakfast: Another hearty 8AM breakfast is our final meal together.
 Morning: We will meet for a grand finale with a look inside the Vanderbilt scrapbooks via the magic of digital photography. Good-byes are at 10A.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Raquette Lake, NY Adirondack Museum
Often described as the "Smithsonian of the Adirondacks" the Adirondack Museum is a multi-building facility on lovely grounds with views of the Eckford Chain of Lakes. 518 352-7311 For additional information, visit www.adirondackmuseum.org
  The W.W. Durant
The Durant is a dine and cruise boat on Raquette Lake, the largest natural lake in the Adirondacks. Their educational narration will contribute to your understanding of the Gilded Age in the Adirondacks. 315-354-5532 For additional information, visit www.raquettelakenav.com
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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