I recently had the good fortune of a leisurely afternoon luncheon in a handsome home at The Crater Club during which I peppered my host with questions about the seasonal enclave nestled along the shore of Lake Champlain between downtown Essex and Whallons Bay. If you are unfamiliar with The Crater Club, let this post serve as an introduction and invitation to learn more. Visit their evocative website, or better yet, line up a languid interview with a member, preferably over libations and victuals. You won’t regret it!
About The Crater Club
The Crater Club’s roots can be traced back to a turn of the century yearning for simple, slow, rural escapes from frenetic urban living and working. Originally founded and developed in the early 1900s by naturalist John Bird Burnham as a summer retreat, The Crater Club attracted outdoorsy families who swam, sailed, hiked, played tennis, etc. in order to recharge and refresh themselves. Unlike the decadent Great Camps often found deep in the Adirondacks, early members favored modest, understated cottages. Although the community has evolved over the last century, many traditions endure including weekly Cape Cod Knockabout sailboat races hosted by Split Rock Yacht Club.
Crater Club Facilities
Members and their guests have access to Crater Club facilities including Burnham’s Landing (swimming dock, beach, boat moorings and a screened shelter); the Clubhouse; four clay tennis courts; a playing field; and woodland hiking trails. Most Crater Club members own camps, but summer memberships can be purchased seasonally. For more information, please contact The Crater Club directly:
The Crater Club
PO Box 221
Essex, NY 12936
www.craterclub.org
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