Established in 1892, the Adirondack Park is home to more than 1,000 named mountains. Forty-six of those rise above the rest, standing taller than 4,000 feet according to the 1927 book, Peaks and People of the Adirondacks by Russell M.L. Carson. In June 1925, brothers Robert and George Marshall, along with Herbert Clark, became the first people known to have climbed all 46 of the region’s highest peaks. Their achievement marked the beginning of a legacy that would inspire generations of hikers to continue in their footsteps a century later.
Out of this spirit of adventure, the Adirondack Forty-Sixers organization was born, uniting those who have climbed all 46 peaks. Since its founding in 1948, the group has grown into a vibrant community of nearly 15,000 members committed to responsible recreation, trail stewardship, and environmental education. Photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard (1843-1917) was just as captivated by these peaks, trekking across the landscape to capture the serene beauty of the Adirondack Park.
Featured image: S.R. Stoddard (1844–1917), 39. Upper Au Sable Pond – Saddleback Mountain – Gothic Mountain, 1877, Chapman Museum 1977.218.219
This exhibit is made possible by funds provided by the Touba Family Foundation.