Email to the Editor

You posted a picture of Huey Belden on June 26. I was able to verify that this was the brother of my Great Grandmother; his full name being Hugh. I would be interested in any other Belden pictures that might be floating around. I am also doing my best to figure out my Belden family tree. I will be coming up to Huletts in the coming weeks to check some info at the cemetery. Anyhow, if you or any of your readers have any ideas on the topic, please let me know.

Thanks,
Louis Crisci

Editors Note: If you can help Mr. Crisci with any Belden family info, use the “Contact Us” page and drop me a note. I will pass it on to him. This is the original post he refers to.

Now For Some History: Labor Day 1966

I have the Ballantyne family to thank for this picture from Labor Day 1966. I make one of my earliest appearances in a Huletts photo (as the baby), along with my brother, Al (in the middle), with our mother, Margot Kapusinski (on the right).

I am not sure who the girl on the left is but I believe she was from Whitehall. If you recognize her, I’d appreciate hearing from you.

The house that appears in the background is the “old” Idle Hour cottage, which was remodeled and renovated in 1967. The Ballantyne’s, who stayed there for many summers, can be seen packing for their departure in the background.

Fort Ticonderoga Presents Brown’s Raid 1777 Battle Re-enactment Sept 14-15


Fort Ticonderoga will present Brown’s Raid Battle Re-enactment, September 14-15

An attack led by patriot Colonel John Brown will take British troops garrisoning Fort Ticonderoga by surprise (again) 236 years later during the upcoming real life action adventure at Fort Ticonderoga on Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15, from 9:30am- 5pm.

The living history weekend and battle re-enactment will for the first time ever recreate what has become known as Brown’s Raid. Historic interpreters and re-enactors from across the northeast will bring to life the little known 1777 action adventure story pulled straight from the pages of Fort Ticonderoga’s history. During the dramatic event, Fort Ticonderoga’s guests will witness first hand the high stakes mission undertaken by Colonel John Brown and his patriot militia and meet the larger-than-life characters that undertook this daring raid during special programs in the British held Fort and the American camps throughout the weekend. The Brown’s Raid battle re-enactment will take place each day at 1:30 pm when the raiders will rush forward against the British held lines, overlooking Fort Ticonderoga. Can the patriot militia capture Fort Ticonderoga or will the British and German soldiers hold the Fort?

“Brown’s Raid will be a busy weekend of programs and demonstrations. Military activities include demonstrations of artillery firing, inspection of troops, and musket drill and firing,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “Fort Ticonderoga guests will step into the moment in 1777 in the American camp and British Fort and be an eyewitness to the command discussions and decisions during this must-experience weekend event.”

Admission to Brown’s Raid is included in the general admission ticket. For event details visit www.fort-ticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.

About Browns Raid:

Out of the hazy twilight before dawn on September 18, 1777 rushed Colonel John Brown’s men, catching the British and Brunswick garrison around Fort Ticonderoga completely by surprise. John Brown, no stranger to dangerous missions, helped engineer the first capture of Ticonderoga in 1775. With the stakes even higher, he would test his luck again. As General Gates prepared to stop the British advance on Albany, he ordered General Lincoln to divide, divert, and harass General Burgoyne’s supply lines back to Canada. Colonel Brown chose his men carefully, allowed first pick of the ragtag patriot force assembled by General Lincoln at Pawlet, Vermont. Massachusetts and Vermont militia men would get their chance to strike a major blow against General Burgoyne’s attack to divide the colonies. Steadying them would be regulars from Colonel Warner’s regiment of Vermonters. Out front, Vermont rangers were to lead the way. Leading the rangers was, Captain Benjamin Whitcomb, a ranger so skilled in his craft he was a wanted man to the British Army.

Rushing down into the LaChute river valley from Lake George landing, Brown’s men captured 330 British prisoners and set 118 American POWs free. Dawn at Fort Ticonderoga would see British Cannons atop Mount Defiance, which forced the American’s to flee that summer, turned on the British garrison itself. British soldiers awoke to the sight of a Brunswick soldier cut in half by a British cannon ball fired by Brown’s men from the summit of that hill. Rearmed with captured British weapons, American POWs had a chance to settle their score shoulder to shoulder with Brown’s militia, regulars, and rangers. Destroying supplies, and livestock, capturing boats, guns, and cannons, Colonel John Brown’s raiders disappeared back up Lake George, jumping into the pages of history.

Saturday – August 10th: Long Distance Swimmer, Jerry Ferris to Speak


Long distance swimmer, Jerry Ferris, who swam the entire length of Lake George in 1983, as well as the English Channel, will speak in Huletts this upcoming Saturday night.

Saturday, August 10 – 7:30 pm, Mountain Grove Memorial Church
Sponsored by the Friends of Historic Huletts Landing.

Jerry Ferris has remained the last man to officially swim all of Lake George since 1983. Despite having also conquered the English Channel, he says that swimming Lake George was the hardest of all his swims. Come here him talk about his exploits as a long distance swimmer and the challenge of swimming Lake George.

The LGLC Celebrates John Apperson’s Legacy


John S. Apperson, Jr. Photo credit: Adirondack Research Library

This year marks fifty years since the passing of John S. Apperson, Jr., a celebrated Lake George conservationist. To honor his memory and accomplishments, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) held a gathering on July 21 hosted by LGLC Director Debbie Hoffman and her husband Bill, at their Bolton Landing home in the heart of “Apperson Territory”.

Over 60 people joined together for the casual event. Guests were able to walk around the property, which neighbored Bill and Kathleen Horne’s home known as the Annex, and enjoy the lakefront views.

“To live on and cherish the land,” explained Ms. Hoffman, “where such an important Father of Lake George strolled around contemplating and working out his next “battle” to passionately save the place he loved has a feeling like none other.”

Apperson was a remarkable force in the world of land conservation and public awareness of environmental issues of Lake George and the greater Adirondacks. In 1939 Apperson bought the iconic Dome Island to prevent potential development; to this day the island is off-limits to the public and serves as an important site for ecological studies.

The gathering was a dual celebration of Apperson and LGLC’s 25th Anniversary. Founded in 1988, LGLC’s efforts to protect the land surrounding Lake George carry on the work initiated by early conservationists like Apperson. LGLC even created its own “Apperson Society” to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their support for land conservation.

The gathering included a brief overview of LGLC history and ending with current day challenges, presented by LGLC Executive Director Nancy Williams.

“We have never seen so many large parcels that have such a huge impact on conservation on the market at the same time”, Williams explained. “We are creating neighborhood ad hoc committees to discuss and research the potential future of these large areas.”

Apperson’s great-niece and Virginia historian Ellen Apperson Brown also spoke to the group about her great uncle’s life. Guests were able to see pictures of Apperson as well as a remarkable collection of privately owned memorabilia shared by neighbors of the Apperson Territory, in particular Bill and Kathleen Horne.

Ms. Brown’s displays can viewed by the public at the Lake George Historical Society’s Museum.

“It was an honor to host this event,” added Ms. Hoffman, “and enhance awareness to the challenges and the accomplishments of Apperson’s life and the Lake George Land Conservancy.”

Grant’s Cottage: Great Nearby Trip


Grant’s Cottage, the summer home where President Ulysses S. Grant died, is located in nearby Wilton, NY. Wilton is south of Glens Falls.

In so far as July 23, 2013, is the 128th anniversary of the death of President Ulysses S. Grant, I thought I would do a post on the local cottage in which he died.

“Ulysses S. Grant Cottage” is a state historic site located on Mt. McGregor in the town of Wilton.

Grant died of throat cancer at the age of 63 in Mt. McGregor and finished his memoirs at the cottage, which were highly regarded by the general public, military historians and literary critics.

From Huletts, it is only about an hour’s ride. It is well marked and only about two miles from the Northway exit. It is only open for tours on the weekend though. It is located adjacent to Mt. McGregor state prison. So close in fact, I could see the inmates almost 100 feet away behind the prison fence.


Grant spent his last days at the cottage completing his memoirs.

Without giving too much away, the cottage today remains essentially the same as during Grant’s stay. Visitors tour the downstairs of the cottage, viewing the original furnishings, decorations, and personal items belonging to Grant, including the bed where he died. A short walk down a path, brings you to a spectacular view.


Today, the cottage remains essentially the same as it was during Grant’s stay.

I enjoyed the easy trip and the spectacular view. For anyone who loves American history, it’s a fun day outing!

Don Parenta Photography on Display


Don Parenta Photography

Don Parenta, a native of the neighboring state of New Jersey, has traveled to Lake George for over 50 years. His love of the Lake George region began as a youngster with his family enjoying vacations while fishing, boating, and capturing the beauty of the lake and the local landscape through his camera.

A gallery of photographs will be on display featuring many images from the local area and northern parts of Lake George and surrounding region.

Opening reception: Saturday, July 20th: 5:00-7:00 pm
Huletts Gallery (Old firehouse)

Sponsored by the Friends of Historic Huletts Landing

Now For Some History: 1919


This 1919 Huletts postcard had a short message on the back.

My brother, Frank, found this postcard in a local antique shop. While the picture on the front is a common one of the Hulett hotel from that time period, the note on the back caught his attention.

8/31/19

Dear Alice

The convention is here, same bunch, 104 in all.
But the package is not here. I wonder if it has been lost.

Love,
Harold

I’m not sure what the convention was about nor whether the package ever arrived, but it certainly gives a glimpse into daily life at the hotel during the summer of 1919.

Dr. David Starbuck to Speak in Huletts: Saturday July 13th


Dr. David Starbuck will speak about his research and archaeological digs at Fort William Henry on Saturday, July 13th.

The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing (FHHL) 2013 summer lecture series begins on Saturday, July 13th.

Dr. David Starbuck from Plymouth State University is going to present the Archaeology of Fort William Henry: Digging Up an American Legend at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Grove Memorial Church.

Plan on attending and learn about the interesting things Dr. Starbuck has unearthed at Fort William Henry in Lake George Village.

Now For Some History: 1945


Huey Belden stands in front of the ice delivery truck in Huletts Landing sometime in the 1940’s.

The picture above was given to me by Mr. Larry Nash. It shows Huey Belden in the 1940’s in front of his converted Packard, which had two compartments. On one side, ice was stored for delivery and on the other side garbage was collected. Before the modern refrigerator, people used blocks of ice to keep their food cold.

It’s a fascinating picture in many regards, AH Wyatt would have been Arthur Wyatt who owned the Huletts Hotel from 1916 until his death in the late 1940’s. The Clemons phone exchange can be seen in the lower right, on the bottom of the truck. Huey Belden is seen holding a block of ice with tongs in one hand. It’s also in color, which is quite rare for that time period.

Many thanks to Mr. Nash for sharing this unique photo.

(Click image to see larger picture.)

LGA Partners with The Hyde Collection for My Summer Place Exhibit

This summer the Lake George Association (LGA) is partnering with The Hyde Collection on the exhibit Modern Nature: Georgia O’Keefe and Lake George.

The exhibit which opened on June 15th explores the formative influence of Lake George on the art and life of Georgia O’Keefe. The exhibit will present a selection of fifty-eight paintings from both the public and private collection from June 15th – September 15th at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls.

Also the LGA floating classroom will tour the areas where Georgia O’Keefe created her works on these select dates: June 27th, July 18th, August 8th, and August 29th. Cost is $10, contact June Leary at 518-792-1761 ext. 327 or jleary@hydecollection.org for reservations.

Now For Some History: 1960’s

Here’s a picture from the soda fountain taken sometime during the 1960’s, from my brother Al’s extensive memorabilia collection.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.