2026 EVENTS
GALLERY CELEBRATION
SENECA RAY STODDARD: DOCUMENTING THE ADIRONDACKS IN THE 1880S
July 10, 5-7 PM
Our 2026 gallery exhibition features the historic and stunning photography of Seneca Ray Stoddard. Stoddard both publicized the scenic glories of the Adirondacks and used his undeniable photographic genius to campaign for the protection of the Wilderness.
The exhibition, Seneca Ray Stoddard: Documenting the Adirondacks in the 1880s, is curated by Frissie Reed and Ed Wheeler (ECHS Trustees). Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Free admission.
THAI FESTIVAL & CEREMONY
July 18, 11 AM - 4 PM
Join us on Elizabethtown Day to honor a piece of Adirondack history, culture, and romance. In August of 1919, Prince Mahidol and Princess Mother (Miss Sangwan Talapat) of the Kingdom of Thailand visited Lake Placid, the Ausable River, and the Adirondack Mountains during their engagement. Learn about Prince Mahidol and Princess Mother and their historic visit to Essex County, experience Thai performance and dance, traditional food and craft sale. This event is made possible due to the generosity, dedication, and creative vision of The King of Thailand Birthplace Foundation. Schedule TBA.
Free General Admission/Free Museum Admission 10 AM - 4 PM.
ANTIQUE & CLASSIC CAR SHOW
August 1st, 10 AM-2 PM
Our 11th annual Antique & Classic Car Show at the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown, NY! Come enjoy cool cars, oldies music, gas card raffles, and BBQ by the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Dept. Gas card raffle draw at 1:30 (need not be present) - win $50, $100, $200, and $400 gas cards!
Admission free for the event.
$10 to register your classic car
COLONIAL GARDEN PARTY
August 16th, 5 PM
Our 4th annual fundraiser for the Colonial Garden! All proceeds support improvements and care of the garden. Live Music, wine, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a special Hidden Treasures art sale! The Hidden Treasures silent auction will offer contemporary and historic Adirondack artwork, photographic prints, and unique antique and vintage collectibles.
Special presentation by Bill McKibben - Back to the Wall, Face to the Sun at 6:30 PM, only for Party attendees.
Tickets TBA
LIGHTING OF THE FIRETOWER
September 5, 9 PM
The Fire Tower Illumination marks the onset of a statewide tradition. Its inception lies in the desire to extend the glow on the horizon to distant observers, inviting them to reflect upon and honor an era when fire rangers vigilantly manned the watchtowers, safeguarding both the community and the encompassing woodlands. Numerous fire towers nestled in the Adirondacks region will once again partake in the annual, synchronized illumination of these iconic structures. Dedicated volunteers will light up the fire towers on the evening of Saturday, September 5, precisely between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m. Come to Elizabethtown for an easy climb up our Fire Tower - a combination of West and Kempshall, resurrected at the Museum!
Free Admission
PEOPLE & PEAKS: ANNUAL ADIRONDACK STORIES
JOHN BROWN
September 12, 10 AM-3 PM
This year's People & Peaks theme is John Brown. Schedule TBA. Includes complimentary lunch!
Admission free
Event and programming underwritten by the Grace Hudowalski Charitable Trust
HISTORIC IRONVILLE TOUR
September 22, 10 AM-3 PM
Quietly nestled in the hills of Crown Point, the hamlet of Ironville maintains an important industrial legacy that is embodied in its phenomenal collection of historic buildings and structures. The discovery of iron ore near Ironville’s Penfield homestead in the late 1820s led to the development of thriving ironworks. In the early 1830s, Allen Penfield engaged physicist Joseph Henry to supply an electromagnet for the works, which was used to charge a magnetic ore separator that removed iron from crushed ore. This represented the earliest known use of electromagnetism in the US., lending to Ironville’s distinction as the “Birthplace of the Electric Age.”
On this outing, you will see a replica of Joseph Henry’s electromagnet exhibited at the 1827 Penfield Homestead, as well as the neighboring collection of early Federal and Greek Revival buildings that comprise the Ironville Historic District. In the afternoon, examine the ruins of the blast furnace, original lower dam sites, and other notable remnants of this early industrial iron operation.
Tour led by Essex County Historical Society Trustee Pete Nelson and dedicated volunteers from the Penfield Homestead Museum. Tour begins at 10 AM.
$65 for AARCH and Adirondack History Museum members/$80 for non-members. Register at AARCH.
