Saranac Lake is a village in New York State, in the heart of Adirondack Mountains. A perfect weekend getaway from NYC, the village is named after three nearby Saranac lakes. Because of dry and cool climate, the area became known towards the end of 19th century among tuberculosis patients as the place to recover and recuperate and many cure cottages were constructed to serve them. One of the most famous guests was Robert Louis Stevenson, who stayed in one of the cottages in 1888. That cottage has been converted into a museum.
Saranac Laboratory Museum
Saranac Laboratory was built in 1894 and was the first lab built for the research of tuberculosis in the U.S. Historic Saranac Lake association meticulously restored the original building and in 2009 opened it as a museum. The Saranac Laboratory Museum has permanent exhibits on research and patient care and several temporary exhibits on local history. The Museum’s gift shop sells books on local history topics and souvenirs. During the summer, there are weekly tours of the historic sites. Special groups can request tours in the off season. Visit Historic Saranac Lake Events Page to see the full schedule. Historic Saranac Lake also offers an online encyclopedia of local history.
Address: 89 Church St # 2, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, Phone: 518-891-4606
Adirondack Artists Guild
The Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery was established in 1997 in Saranac Lake, New York. The gallery operates year around and represents thirty regional fine artists. Their displayed work expresses the vitality and beauty of the Adirondacks. The Guild is a cooperative and its members share costs, chores, successes and friendships. The members all live in the area. The Adirondack Artists Guild limits the number of its members to 15 to provide sufficient display space for all artist. There are always artists in the gallery, sometimes painting or carving, sometimes cleaning up the gallery, sometimes discussing art with other artists or patrons. There is a new exhibits every month.
Address: 52 Main St, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, Phone: 518-891-2615
Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Museum
Stevenson Cottage is a historic cottage in Saranac Lake, New York. The one and half story house was completed in 1866. The L-shaped wood-frame structure sits on a fieldstone foundation and has wood-frame siding. It was built as a residence, but was later used as a cure cottage. Author Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the west wing of the house with his family from October 1887 to April 1888. He was recovering from a lung disease. In 1920, the house was bought by the Stevenson Society of America, which converted it into a museum of the Stevenson’s memorabilia. During his stay in Saranac Lake, Stevenson wrote a number of essays and started writing The Master of Ballantrae. The cottage is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
