“The First Adirondackers” | Book Lecture | Whallonsburg | March 1, 2026

Sunday, March 1, 2026
3:00 PM 4:30 PM

Whallonsburg Grange Hall 1610 New York 22 Essex, NY, 12936 United States (map)

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The First Adirondackers: Authors Bring 12,000 Years of Indigenous History to The Grange in Whallonsburg

Book cover for "The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Indigenous Peoples in the Adirondack Uplands" by David Kanietakeron Fadden and Curt Stager. — “The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Indigenous Peoples in the Adirondack Uplands”

A powerful and long-overdue conversation about the deep history of the Adirondacks arrives at The Grange at Whallonsburg with a special lecture featuring the authors of The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Indigenous Peoples in the Adirondack Uplands.

This engaging event invites residents and visitors to look beyond the familiar 19th-century narratives of “wilderness” and explore the vibrant Indigenous presence that shaped the Adirondack uplands for millennia. For those searching for meaningful Adirondack events rooted in history, culture, and scholarship, this lecture belongs on the calendar.

Reframing the story of the Adirondacks.

For generations, many histories of the Adirondack Park focused on Great Camps, logging barons, and Gilded Age tourism. The First Adirondackers challenges that narrow lens.

The authors draw on archaeological research, oral traditions, and historical scholarship to illuminate 12,000 years of Indigenous life in the Adirondack region. Long before the arrival of European settlers, Native peoples hunted, fished, traveled, and built seasonal communities throughout the uplands. They developed trade networks, adapted to climate shifts, and shaped the landscape in ways that still influence the region today.

The lecture promises to explore how recent discoveries and interdisciplinary research are reshaping our understanding of the Adirondacks—not as an untouched wilderness, but as a lived-in homeland.

Why this conversation matters now.

Curt Stager co-author of The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Indigenous Peoples in the Adirondack Uplands — Co-auther of *The First Adirondackers: 12,000 Years of Indigenous Peoples in the Adirondack Uplands,* Curt Stager.

In recent years, communities across New York State have sought to broaden and deepen the historical narratives they share. The Adirondack Park, often marketed as pristine and uninhabited, carries a more complex and compelling story.

This event at The Grange offers attendees the opportunity to:

Gain insight into the archaeological record of the Adirondack uplands
Learn about the Indigenous nations connected to this region
Understand how historical myths about “empty wilderness” developed
Engage directly with the authors through discussion and Q&A

For history enthusiasts, educators, students, and anyone interested in Indigenous studies in the Adirondacks, the evening provides both intellectual depth and timely relevance.

An intimate setting for big ideas.

The Grange at Whallonsburg (in the town of Essex) has built a reputation for hosting thoughtful cultural programming in a welcoming, community-centered space. Its historic hall creates an intimate setting where scholarship feels accessible, and conversation flows naturally.

Attendees can expect a presentation that blends academic rigor with compelling storytelling. The authors will share key findings from the book, discuss the research process, and reflect on how this work contributes to a more inclusive Adirondack history.

David Kanietakeron Fadden co-author of The First Adirondackers — Co-author David Kanietakeron Fadden.

As with many events at The Grange, the experience goes beyond a standard lecture. The setting encourages dialogue and reflection—an ideal environment for reconsidering how the Adirondacks’ past informs its present and future.

Plan your visit.

Those interested in attending should visit The Grange’s official website or Facebook page for full event details, including date, time, ticket information, and accessibility notes.

Early arrival is encouraged, as events at The Grange often draw a thoughtful and engaged crowd from across Essex County and beyond.