Families will have a chance to view the Adirondacks from the top of the world in a unique program offered by the Essex County Historical Society.

The Adirondack History Museum will present its The Adirondack Fire Towers and Land Stewardship Program Field Day Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The free program for families explores the history and ongoing role of fire towers in regional land stewardship.  The program is led by David Thomas-Train, a local fire tower expert and educator.

“Experiential learning is a great way for students to gain a better understanding of the world,” said Museum Director Aurora McCaffrey. “Along with learning about the history of fire towers, the hike encourages children to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of the Adirondacks.”

The daylong sessions will begin with a 1-hour visit at the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown, where participants will learn about the history of fire towers with a guided tour of the museum’s permanent fire tower exhibit.  The exhibit includes an actual fire tower, which individuals may climb for a bird’s eye view of Elizabethtown.

Following the museum visit, Thomas-Train will lead a 2.5 mile round-trip guided hike to the restored fire tower at Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in the nearby town of Chesterfield. Hike participants will learn about the natural history of Poke-O-Moonshine and its fire tower in protecting the surrounding forest.

Participants should wear clothing and hiking footwear appropriate for the day outdoors and bring a snack, ample liquids, and lunch, which will be enjoyed on top of the mountain.

The free session offered to families is recommended for students in the 4th to 8th grade level. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Interested individuals are asked to call the museum ahead of time to RSVP for the free program.

The Adirondack Fire Tower Program, which is sponsored by International Paper, Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match and the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, was also presented to students at Westport Central School and Keene Central School in June.

The Adirondack History Museum seeks to serve as Essex County’s center for the stories that reveal the roots and values of its people. The museum is open daily from May 25 to Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for students.

For more information or to RSVP, contact the museum at (518) 873-6466 or echs@adkhistorymuseum.org.