Library Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Camp Riverdale records |
Author |
Camp Riverdale (Long Lake, N.Y.) |
Year Range from |
1912 |
Year Range to |
1971 |
Object Name |
Manuscript |
Control Number |
13052 |
Call Number |
MS 70-012 |
Physical Description |
3.5 linear ft.: textual records; 9 photographs; 1 postcard; 8 maps; 7 architectural drawings; 16 engineering drawings |
Summary |
Repository: Adirondack Museum Library Main Entry/Creator: Camp Riverdale Title: Camp Riverdale records Unit ID: MS 70-12 Date: 1912-1971 Volume: 3.5 linear ft.: textual records; 9 photographs; 1 postcard; 8 maps; 7 architectural drawings; 16 technical drawings Arrangement: There is no apparent arrangement scheme for the material. Summary/Abstract: Camp Riverdale was a summer camp for boys aged nine to eighteen, founded in 1912 by Dr. Frank S. Hackett. It was located in the Adirondack Mountain region in Long Lake (Hamilton County), N.Y. The records were created as a result of the camp's operation and/or as a result of the staff's activities. Included in the records are administrative documents, publications, and graphic material. Camp Riverdale was renamed the Adirondack Wilderness Camp (AWC) in 1964 when ownership changed hands and some of the records in this collection relate to AWC operations and activities. AWC material includes yearbooks, trip descriptions, and camp regulations. Biographical/Administrative Statement: Camp Riverdale was a summer camp for boys aged nine to eighteen, founded in 1912 by Dr. Frank S. Hackett. It was located in the Adirondack Mountain region in Long Lake (Hamilton County), N.Y. The camp initially was located on a rented campsite but then moved in 1918 to its permanent site on the northern shores of Long Lake. The camp's property included 350 acres of woodland and the camp buildings. The camp's manager, "Big Chief" Frank S. Hackett, was also the headmaster of the Riverdale Country School at Riverdale-on-Hudson, N.Y.. While at camp, the boys studied music, gardening, and forestry at the nearby demonstration forest. Many of the campers attended Riverdale Country School; however, boys from all around the world attended the camp. Mariana DuPont Silliman purchased Camp Riverdale in 1964, renamed it Adirondack Wilderness Camp (AWC), and hired Elliott Kirk Verner to direct the boys' camp. Verner combined an informal camping program with Camp Riverdale traditions. One guiding principle was that boys should compete only with themselves. AWC had an extensive field trip program aimed at teaching boys to appreciate nature and group living all the while developing their independence and self-sufficiency. William Verner, Elliott's brother, was field trip director. The camp closed operations in 1971 and in 1979 the land was sold to the State of New York. The buildings were taken down in accordance with the "Forever Wild" clause of the New York State Constitution. Scope and Content Note: These records document Camp Riverdale's operation and staff activities. The records include infirmary notes; camp schedules; staff and camper name lists; records related to camper and staff reunions and recruitment; a counselor training course; publications such as "High Spots" magazine (published by the Adirondack Mountain Club); the "Stag and Eagle" newsletter written by campers; camp yearbooks (1938-1963); and bulletins to campers' parents sent from "Big Chief" Frank S. Hackett, Camp Riverdale's founder. The records also contain graphic material including a 1921 plan of Camp Riverdale; drawings of the camp's grounds by architect Augustus D. Shepard; Camp Riverdale advertisements; Olympic Ski-Trail Map prepared by the Adirondack Mountain Club (1932); and photographs of Camp Riverdale buildings and campers. Documented in the textual records are what the campers studied, sang, and had for meals. Camp Riverdale was renamed the Adirondack Wilderness Camp (AWC) in 1964 when ownership changed hands. The AWC records document operations and activities and include a yearbook (1968); "The Black Fly" newsletter (1970); notes on 1968 trips with trip descriptions; and camp regulations. Finding Aid Note: A file list is available at the repository. Additional Physical Forms: No other form exists. Restrictions: There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material. Provenance: The records were donated by Camp Riverdale to the Adirondack Museum Library. Processing Statement: This collection's description was enhanced as a part of the New York State Archives Environmental History Virtual Research Collection Project, 2004. The National Endowment for the Humanities provided funding for this project. Subjects: Adirondack Wilderness Camp Hackett, Frank Sutliff, 1877-1952 Camps--New York (State)--Long Lake Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.) Winter Olympic Games (3rd : 1932 : Lake Placid, N.Y.) Engineering drawings Shepard, Augustus D. Architectural drawings See also: Augustus D. Shepard architectural drawings, Adirondack Museum Library, Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y. Container List: Box Description 11Letter: Mr. Frost (?) to mother regarding a trip up Mt. Seward[1919] 12"High Spots" (publication of the Adirondack Mountain Club) Vols. IV, VII-VIII, IX, XIII [1926, 1930, 1932, 1963] 135 maps and 3 architectural drawings: plan of Camp Riverdale (1921); 2 plans of dining hall (1920); and the Olympic Ski-Trail Map prepared by the Adirondack Mountain Club (1932)[1920-1932] 149 photographs and 1 postcard: Camp Riverdale buildings and campers. [ca. 1910 - ca. 1920] 15Correspondence and notices regarding camp reunions[1912, 1927] 16Two technical drawings of and correspondence regarding the Camp's motor boat "Riverdale" [1921-1923] 17Camp Riverdale advertisements, newspaper clippings, and pamphlets 1942-1948 18Camp infirmary notebook - name of camper and ailment[1929-1931] 19Activity schedules[1948-1950] 110Riverdale Country School - information booklet[1944] 111Lists of campers who won awards[1938, 1940-1943, 1948 1952] 112Camp Riverdale Long Lake Sports Day schedules [1925, 1938, 1948, 1950] 113Trip menus[1938-1939] 114Guidelines for counselors: 2 manuals from YMCA Camp Lawrence [1938-1942] 115Bulletins to campers' parents; form letters to alumni and to returning campers all addressed by "Big Chief" Frank S. Hackett [1939-1956] 116Staff responsibilities - doctor; nurse; superintendent; dietician; officer of the day[1938-ca. 1943] 117Rules - library; dining room; boating; safety; visitors1943, [undated] 118Press release, essays "Some Reasons Why a 'Senior' Enjoys and Profits by the Camp Riverdale Experience" and "Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much," an historical review [1928-1932] 219"Stag and Eagle" newsletter written by campers [1939-1956] 220Camp Riverdale yearbooks (also banquet editions) [1938-1963] 221Christmas cards[1936-1938] 222"Just for Today," advice column by Frank S. Hackett[1944] 223Trips - equipment lists, schedule[ca. 1942, 1965] 224Mailing list of campers[1935, 1938-1946, 1948, 1954-1956] 225Staff list[1932, 1938-1939, 1942-1945, 1948] 226Advertisements for "The Touch of Life," by Frank S. Hackett [undated] 227Notes on sailboats[undated] 228Check-lists for trips[1935, undated] 229Memos, critiques, and correspondence regarding Camp Riverdale [1940-1948] 230Addresses regarding the centennial celebration of Long Lake's settling [1930] 231Boy Scouts publications regarding Troop 134, based at Camp[1930] 232American Red Cross - 14 technical drawings of canoes, buoys, and details regarding water and boating safety[1946] 333Published guides to various summer camps[1932, 1939, 1942, 1948] 334Recreation circulars published by Conservation Department; 3 maps: "The St. Lawrence Reservation" (1919); "Adirondack Canoe Routes" (1928); and "Diagram Showing Trails…To Mt. Marcy" (1922)[1919, 1922, 1928, undated] 335Pamphlets on insects[1931] 336Advertisements for camping equipment[193-, 194-] 337Adirondack Mountain Club magazines, "The Ad-i-ron-dac" and "Mountain Magazine" [1928, 1951,1960] 338Counselor in training course materials[1934, 1942] 339Pre-season memos[1941-1942] 340Correspondence: Sydney Usher with Laurence Parker and Frank Hackett regarding camp preparations[1948] 341Camp songs and play bills; includes poem on symbolism of camp's totem pole [1944-1969] 342Articles by Frank S. Hackett on the camp and education [1943-1944] 443Camp Riverdale trip reports: 2 volumes with index, mainly regarding hikes up mountains [1941-1954] 444Camp guest book [1924-1948, 1965] 545Camp Riverdale fact books; notes about campers, activities, and trips, rules, hints, and guidelines [1927, 1929-1934] 646Camp Riverdale fact books: 1935-1942[1935-1942] 747Adirondack Wilderness Camp yearbook[1968] 748Adirondack Wilderness Camp "The Black Fly" newsletter[1970] 749Adirondack Wilderness Camp notes on 1968 trips[1968] 750Adirondack Wilderness Camp notes, lists, trip descriptions, regulations [1965] 751Architectural drawings: Junior Camp, Helps Quarters, Dining Hall, and grounds (Augustus Shepard, architect)[1924-1925] 752Camp Riverdale, 1912-1963[1912-1963] 753Adirondack Wilderness Camp: correspondence; notes; pamphlets (1965-1971)[1965-1971] |
Subjects |
Camp Riverdale Adirondack Wilderness Camp Hackett, Frank Sutliff, 1877-1952 Camps--New York (State)--Long Lake Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.) Winter Olympic Games (3rd : 1932 : Lake Placid, N.Y.) Engineering drawings Shepard, Augustus D. Architectural drawing |
Imagefile |
020\13052.JPG |
Collection |
Adirondack Experience Library |