THE KELLY ADIRONDACK CENTER
THE KELLY ADIRONDACK CENTER
The Kelly Adirondack Center is an interdisciplinary research center belonging to Union College. Its mission is to collect information and to educate the Union College community and the wider public about the Adirondacks and the vital issues relating to the meaning and use of the natural environment. Located just 10 minutes from the Union campus, the Center is home to the Adirondack Research Library, one of the largest collections of Adirondack materials outside the Blue Line. A great resource for scholars, students and the general public, the library contains materials as diverse as the poetry of Jeanne Robert Foster and Orson “Old Mountain” Phelps, maps, film and still photographs. It is particularly strong in the evolution of the “forever wild” concept, including the papers of John S. Apperson and Paul Schaefer and other documents of the 20th century conservation movement.
THE KELLY ADIRONDACK CENTER 897 Saint David’s Lane, Niskayuna, NY 12309 518.388.6305 union.edu/adirondacks
UNION.EDU/ADIRONDACKS
The Center is also a popular study and retreat space. Surrounded by the 111-acre H.G. Reist Wildlife Sanctuary, the grounds include perennial gardens, areas for quiet reflection, water features and a bluestone amphitheater for lectures, readings and musical events.
EVENTS & PROGRAMS
UNION’S CONNECTION TO
THE ADIRONDACKS The Kelly Adirondack Center builds upon the College’s longstanding connections to the Adirondacks, which date back to the 19th century. Union alumnus William James Stillman, Class of 1848, led Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louis Agassiz, and other intellectuals to the “Philosopher’s Camp” in 1858. One of the region’s high peaks honors Franklin Hough, historian and “the father of American Forestry,” Class of 1843. William Fox, Class of 1860, served as the state’s first superintendent of forests upon creation of the Adirondack Park in 1892. Faculty member Edward Everett Hale, Jr. (for whom Hale House is named) was a charter member of the Adirondack Mountain Club. In addition, Union faculty members have long been interested in this rugged, unique and beautiful environment.
Union’s commitment to the exploration and protection of the Adirondack Park took an enormous leap forward in 2011 when the College acquired the Kelly Adirondack Center. The facility includes the historic home of noted environmentalist Paul Schaefer (1908–1996) and a 4,000 square-foot addition that houses the Adirondack Research Library and conference rooms. It is regularly used by faculty, staff and students for research, classes, field-trips, events and programs. The center is truly an extraordinary resource for expanding multi-disciplinary studies of the Adirondacks.
ABOUT THE ADIRONDACK RESEARCH LIBRARY The Adirondack Research Library (ARL) was established in 1979 and is a premier destination for research on Adirondack conservation and recreation history. It features more than 15,000 items, including maps, photographs and original conservation documents. The ARL continues to gather Adirondack-related materials to enhance its research capabilities. Of special focus is the 20th century conservation movement.
The ARL is open to the Union community and the general public on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment at 518.280.5951.
Adirondack Lecture and Concert Series
The Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies
An interdisciplinary lecture, performance and concert series that focuses on topics and issues related to the Adirondacks.
A collaboration between Union College and the Adirondack Research Consortium, this annual journal fosters dialogue about the broad range of issues that concern the Adirondacks and bridges academic disciplines to understand and promote development of sustainable communities, both human and wild.
Adirondack Art Series A series of art exhibitions focused on the Adirondacks.
Adirondack Week A program offered during the spring term that features lectures, excursions, panel discussions and events dedicated to the Adirondacks.
Summer Research Fellows Program This program offers students the opportunity to pursue an independent research project on a range of Adirondackrelated topics.
What can you do at the Center? Retreats and receptions Meetings and classes Research and study Concerts and small theater productions Hikes/walks/ cross-country skiing
CONTACT US Hallie Bond
Director of the Kelly Adirondack Center | bondh2@union.edu
Caleb Northrop Special Assistant to the President's Office and Kelly Adirondack Center | northroc@union.edu UNION.EDU/ADIRONDACKS
Margie Amodeo
Kelly Adirondack Center Assistant | amodeom@union.edu