North Country At Work

Wallace Emerson shapes a rib for one of his Adirondack skiffs inside Emerson’s Boat Shop. 1930. Long Lake, NY. Photographer Aughiltree, James W.

Two men inside Palmer Boat Shop. 1900. Adirondack region of NYS.

Artist Frank Owen sitting on a stool holding template, paint brushes to his left and large painting behind.  1986-1987. In Owen’s studio in Keene Valley. Photograph by Mathias T. Oppersdorff.

For 20 years, Steve Bowers has been making high-end rustic furniture at Bald Mountain Rustics. It ends up anywhere from ski areas in California to local businesses like the Lake Placid Lodge. Bowers says he makes fine furniture that just happens to be made out of slabs, roots, and twigs. Listen to Steve’s story here.

Craigardan is a not-for-profit educational organization in Keene. People of all ages come there for residencies, workshops, and classes in agriculture, the arts, and culinary studies. Barbara Tam founded it two years ago with Michele Drozd. Listen here to Barbara explain what Craigardan does, and why.

Marcy Neville, who paints houses and historical buildings, at work painting the Congregational Church clock tower. June 2012. Keene Valley, NY. Photo courtesy of Marcy Neville. Listen to Marcy tell us about her work here. 

Herald “Bunny” Austin working on a guide boat in his shop. He’s a fifth generation guide boat builder. Circa 2010-2015. Long Lake, NY.

Charles B. Hanmer working on a boat in his shop. Circa 1890-1910. Long Lake, NY. Photo courtesy of the Town of Long Lake Archives.

Patty Farrell (center, in shirt with white V-shaped stripes) teaching a basket weaving class to adults at Ogdensburg Mater Dei College. 1990s. Ogdensburg, NY.

Shea Carr (far left) unloading supplies from her car outside the Adirondack Experience museum before teaching a basket-weaving class. She and her kids (Delaney and Ian Carr) carry reeds to weave baskets with. Baskets in different stages can be seen in her trunk. 2012. Blue Mountain Lake, NY.