John Brown in the Adirondacks: Memory, Myth, and Moral Reckoning at North Elba

John Brown in the Adirondacks: Memory, Myth, and Moral Reckoning at North Elba

In this episode of ADK Talks, we return to the John Brown Farm State Historic Site near Lake Placid with Adirondack historian and author Sandra Weber. Sandra’s new book, John Brown Farm: From Abolitionist Vision to Memorial Site, traces how a rocky North Elba farm became an internationally recognized place of remembrance, reflection, and activism. We explore John Brown’s vision of an integrated Adirondack farming community, the people who preserved the property after his death, and the generations who have gathered there to confront questions about slavery, racial equality, violence, justice, and democracy. Sandra also reveals the stories behind the farm’s graves, monuments, farmhouse, and enormous boulder, a natural landmark that became a gathering place and speaking platform for visitors commemorating Brown’s legacy. What you’ll hear in this episode * Why John Brown moved his family to the Adirondacks and worked alongside Black settlers in the community known as Timbuctoo. * How the farm evolved from a family home into a New York State Historic Site and a destination for visitors from around the world. * The remarkable story of the three graves containing the remains of John Brown, his son Watson, and ten fellow raiders. * How the John Brown Farm became a gathering place for civil rights leaders, activists, and annual pilgrimages. * Why Sandra describes the farm as a “site of conscience” where visitors can reflect on history and the unfinished work of equality. Resources: * Sandra Weber [https://sandraweberbooks.weebly.com]  * John Brown Farm: From Abolitionist Vision to Memorial Site [https://www.nysbooks.com/product/john-brown-farm-from-abolitionist-vision-to-memorial-site]  * John Brown Farm State Historic Site [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/lake-placid-john-brown-farm-historic-site] * Discovering the North Star Underground Railroad Museum [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/adirondacks-north-star-underground-railroad-museum-keeseville]  * Freedom’s Path: Inside the North Star Underground Railroad Museum [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/adktalks-podcast-underground-railroad-adirondacks]  * Breaking Trail: Women Who Shaped the Adirondacks [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/adirondack-podcast-breaking-trail-book-womens-history] * Experience American History in the Adirondacks [https://www.adktaste.com/adk-historical-sites] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

View Arts Center: 75 years of Arts and Culture in the Adirondacks

In this episode of ADK Talks, we head to Old Forge to visit View Arts Center, one of the Adirondacks’ longtime homes for art, performance, classes, exhibitions, and community gathering. Jane and Steve sit down with Bernadette “Bernie” Sunderland, Executive Director of View, and Travis Kiefer, Director of Operations, to talk about the organization’s 75th anniversary, its roots in a front-lawn art show, and how a small mountain-town arts guild grew into a year-round cultural center. What began in 1951 on founder Miriam “Mernie” Kashiwa’s lawn, with artwork displayed on chicken wire and tree branches, has become a multidisciplinary arts campus with galleries, a pottery studio, performance space, workshops, a gift shop, a nature trail, and a packed calendar of programs for locals and visitors alike. What you’ll hear in this episode * How View Arts Center grew from a front-lawn art show in 1951 into a year-round cultural hub in Old Forge. * Why arts organizations matter in Adirondack communities, not just for visitors, but for the people who live here year round. * A look at View’s exhibitions, performances, pottery studio, workshops, and children’s theater. * Highlights from the 75th anniversary year, including the Stickley furniture exhibition, watercolor show, quilt show, and plein air paint out. * The behind-the-scenes work that keeps View running, from installing exhibitions to managing a packed calendar with a small staff. Resources: * View Arts Center [https://www.viewarts.org/] * 75th Central Adirondack Art Show at VIEW Arts Center [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/central-adirondack-art-show-view-old-forge] * Old Forge Hardware [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/old-forge-hardware-adirondack-general-store] * The Strand Theatre in Old Forge [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/the-strand-old-forge-adirondacks] * Herb Brooks Arena and the Miracle on Ice [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/1980-winter-olympics-hockey-miracle-on-ice-2025] * Souvenir Village [https://www.souvenirvillage.com/] * Stickley Museum [https://www.stickleymuseum.com/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

Broadway in the Adirondacks: Inside the Depot Theatre

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve head to Westport, New York, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Depot Theatre, a professional theatre housed inside a restored 19th-century train station on the shores of Lake Champlain. Guests Erin Jodwin, Artistic Director at the Depot Theatre, and Gigi Mason, Director of the Depot Theatre Academy, share what makes this small, intimate venue such a memorable place to see live performance. From trains rumbling past during shows to actors performing just feet from the audience, the Depot offers a theatre experience that could only happen in the Adirondacks. What you’ll hear in this episode * How a historic Westport train station became a professional theatre. * Why the Depot’s small space creates such a powerful connection between actors and audiences. * What it means to be an Equity theatre and why that matters for professional performers. * How the Depot Theatre Academy gives Adirondack kids access to acting, stage management, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, and mentorship. * What’s on stage for the 2026 season, including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Ring of Fire. * Why artists are drawn to spending a summer creating theatre in the Adirondacks. * How community support, volunteers, and local partnerships help keep the Depot thriving. * Favorite Adirondack spots from Erin and Gigi, including the Lake Placid Olympic Oval, a favorite swimming hole near Essex, Goodnow Mountain, and the Champlain Area Trails Quarry Trail. Resources: * Depot Theatre [https://depottheatre.org/]  * Depot Theatre in Westport  [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/depot-theatre-westport-ny?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Champlain Area Trails [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/lake-champlain-area-hiking-trails-cats-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid  [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/do-outdoor-lake-placid-olympic-skating-oval?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Essex Quarry Nature Preserve [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/ben-cosgrove-piano-concert-essex-quarry-october-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Seagle Festival  [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/seagle-festival-2026-schroon-lake-adirondacks-podcast?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * The Hyde Collection  [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/hyde-collection-glens-falls-ny-art-museum] * Actors’ Equity Association [https://www.actorsequity.org/]  Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

From Dockside Dining to Mountain Music: A New Era at Silver Bay

Silver Bay YMCA has long been one of the north end of Lake George’s most beloved destinations, but there is much more happening there than many visitors realize. In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve welcome back Lindsay Butler, VP of Sales and Marketing at Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Family Retreat Center, for a fresh look at what makes Silver Bay such a special Adirondack gathering place. Lindsay shares how Silver Bay has evolved from its historic roots into a year-round retreat, community hub, cultural venue, and lakeside destination. From Mountain Music Festival and Evenings of Dance to dockside dining, holiday weekends, winter programming, and family-friendly recreation, Silver Bay offers something for overnight guests, local residents, boaters, and day visitors alike. What you’ll hear in this episode * How Silver Bay balances its deep history with new programming and modern guest experiences. * Why the north end of Lake George offers a quieter, more serene Adirondack experience. * What to expect from Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival, including auditorium performances, porch sessions, and new campfire sessions. * How Evenings of Dance brings world-class professional dancers to the Adirondacks for free community performances. * Why Silver Bay’s summer concert series has become a special part of the Lake George arts scene. * How Bites at the Bay lets boaters order food from the water and pick it up dockside. * What makes Mountain View Grille and Silver Bay’s dining programs a growing part of the destination. * How Silver Bay gives back through respite programs, teen programming, childcare, and community access. * Lindsay’s favorite hidden gem: Black Mountain on the eastern side of Lake George. Resources: * Silver Bay YMCA Conference & Family Retreat Center [https://silverbay.org/] * Silver Bay YMCA on ADK Taste [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/stay-at-silver-bay-ymca-lake-george] * Silver Bay Mountain Music Festival [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/silver-bay-mountain-music-festival-2025] * Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Bay YMCA [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/silver-bay-ymca-memorial-day-weekend-adirondacks-2026] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

Memorial Day Mailbag: Adirondack Summer Starts Here

Memorial Day weekend in the Adirondacks can mean sunshine, dock weather, chilly rain, black flies, parades, boats on trailers, and the first real feeling that summer is almost here. In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve kick off the season with a Memorial Day weekend guide and a listener mailbag. They talk about what the Adirondacks feel like as seasonal businesses reopen, favorite early-summer events return, and visitors start heading north again. They also answer listener questions about how ADK Taste and the podcast began, why they focus on positive recommendations, what makes a place worth featuring, and which hidden gems they love most. What you’ll hear in this episode * Memorial Day weekend in the Adirondacks is beautiful, unpredictable, and worth packing layers for. * The hosts share tips for choosing one region instead of trying to see the whole park in one trip. * Jane highlights the Great Adirondack Garage Sale, a 200-mile treasure hunt through the Central Adirondacks. * Steve talks about classic signs of the season, from boats on the Northway to Memorial Day parades. * They share rainy-day ideas, including museums, local theaters, galleries, and historical societies. * The mailbag covers how ADK Taste started, why the podcast came next, and how listeners can send ideas. * Jane and Steve share favorite Adirondack “hidden gems,” including Newcomb views, stargazing, breweries, and ADKX. * The episode looks ahead to June events, including Americade, cycling races, the Lake Placid Marathon, and William Shatner’s return to Ticonderoga. Resources: * Great Adirondack Garage Sale [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/great-adirondack-garage-sale-2026]  * Americade 2026 in Lake George [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/americade-2026-lake-george-adirondacks]  * William Shatner at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour [https://www.adktaste.com/adirondack-events/william-shatner-star-trek-set-tour-ticonderoga-2026]  * On The Equator Sauna Rentals [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/mobile-sauna-rental-lake-george-on-the-equator] * Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/adirondack-experience]  * The Sembrich [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/the-sembrich-opera-museum]  * Seagle Festival [https://www.adktaste.com/blog/seagle-festival-2026-schroon-lake-adirondacks-podcast]  * Lake George [https://www.adktaste.com/lake-george]  Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]