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Reply to "Rough it like a Gilded Age millionaire in the Adirondacks"

6. Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore was built in the late 1890s as the home of Alfred G. Vanderbilt.

Great Camp Sagamore was built in the late 1890s as the home of Alfred G. Vanderbilt.
Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism/Adirondacks, USA
For a bona fide flashback to the Vanderbilt lifestyle, consider Great Camp Sagamore. Crafted by William West Durant during 1895-1897, it was the home of Alfred G. Vanderbilt's family until 1954. Built with local stone and wood, this rustic retreat showcased America's romance with nature.
Today, this National Historic Landmark remains frozen in time with the original furnishings intact. It's an authentic immersion, so don't expect 21st-century amenities. Many rooms share baths and there are no locks on the doors, just as in Alfred Vanderbilt's time. It is comfortable but not lavish.
There's an educational element woven into the experience. Visitors may participate in programs that examine American culture and history through the lens of the Adirondack wilderness.
Most weekends revolve around a theme such as wellness or stargazing. During Vanderbilt Weekend, the Gilded Age is explored through historically accurate recipes that are prepared by the kitchen staff and paired with wine.
The bark-covered cottages and chalet-style lodge are clustered around private Sagamore Lake. Boating, swimming and hiking are popular pursuits.
Great Camp Sagamore, Sagamore Road, P.O. Box 40, Raquette Lake, NY 13436; 315-354-5311; Open from mid-May until mid-October.
FM
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