Museum Announces Adirondack Fire Tower Exploration Program

Essex County Historical Society and Adirondack History Center — Essex County Historical Society

The Adirondack History Center Museum announces three dates for the Adirondack Fire Tower Exploration Program: July 11, July 25 and August 17. Join naturalist David Thomas-Train for a full day of activities, or attend any portion of the day. The program begins at 10 am with an orientation at the museum, a viewing of the museum’s fire tower exhibit and a climb up the museum’s fire tower. The morning session examines Adirondack fire tower history using the museum’s new expanded fire tower exhibit.

A new, updated fire tower exhibition brings the story of fire towers into the 21st century with new photos and text to explain early fire tower history, maps and locations for existing and past fire towers, and the current fire tower issues of removal, retention, and restoration. (Adirondack History Center Museum)

Following the morning session, interested participants are invited to take a guided hike to the restored fire tower at Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in the nearby town of Chesterfield, NY. Poke-O-Moonshine hikers will learn about the natural history of Poke-O-Moonshine and its fire tower’s role in protecting the surrounding forest. The mountain’s interpretive trail brochure and the restored “fire finder” map and interpretive photographic panels in the fire tower’s cab provide further information for exploration.

Fire Tower/Warren County — An example of a Fire Tower. (Photo credit: base10)

Event details

What: Adirondack Fire Tower Exploration Program. You may sign up for the fire tower orientation, the climb, or the full day.
When: July 11, July 25, and August 17. Begins 10am.
Where: Adirondack History Center Museum
Who: All are invited to the morning session at 10 am. For the climb, hikers should be at least 14 years old and in shape for a sustained steep hike. Reservations are required. Spaces for the hike are limited.
Bring: Please bring food, plenty of water, and dress appropriately for hiking.
Price: The cost is $15 for the entire day or $5 to attend just the morning session.

About This Adirondack History Center Program

The Adirondack History Center received an Education and Outreach Grant from the Champlain Valley National Historical Partnership to sponsor the series of classes and hikes focused on the historic role of Adirondack fire towers in forest stewardship. The fire tower education program is offered in cooperation with the Adirondack Fire Tower Association and the Friends of Poke-O-Moonshine.

Free sessions to learn about the museum’s fire tower also are available to summer youth groups in July and August. For further information about youth programs, contact the museum.

The Adirondack History Center Museum is located at 7590 Court Street, Elizabethtown, New York. Call (518) 873-6466 or email echs@adkhistorycenter.org for more information.