For Immediate Release: December 17, 2001
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK - During the Adirondack Park Agency’s Friday meeting, Department of Economic Development Designee C. Randall Beach donated two original prints of the Holiday Tales, Christmas in the Adirondacks by his great-grandfather, William Henry Harrison Murray, also known as "Adirondack Murray."
Asking if he could make a special presentation to the Adirondack Park Agency Board, Mr. Beach surprised the board with his family’s donation of two prints from his great-grandfather’s last book.
"Since the APA is charged with preserving the Adirondacks for the people, and since W. H. H. Murray is credited with being responsible for the first large number of tourists to the region, my sons and I felt it appropriate that these two prints from Holiday Tales, should be on display here at APA headquarters," Mr. Beach said on Friday morning.
His generous contribution to the Agency’s "Wall of Pride" reflects his family’s source of pride in a unique way and Agency members, designees and staff are very happy to receive and display the prints. The Chairman accepted the prints on behalf of the Agency, The Adirondack Park, Governor George Pataki and the State of New York.
"This is a wonderful surprise and a great honor," said APA Chairman Richard Lefebvre. "We will gladly display these prints in our Agency and we are humbled to serve with such a generous and thoughtful man. Obviously the love of our Park has been inherited through his great-grandfather and we are thrilled to receive such a gift."
William Henry Harrison Murray, "Adirondack Murray" is credited with opening up the Adirondacks to tourism with his first book, Adventures in the Wilderness, Camp Life in the Adirondacks, in 1869, which came with a map of the Adirondacks in a rear pocket. The book proved to be an instant success going through 10 editions and resulting in a flood of tourists visiting the Adirondacks in the following summers, all carrying Mr. Murray’s book as their guide. The book exerted a lasting influence upon outdoor recreation in America and left an indelible mark upon the history of the Adirondacks. It not only espoused the health benefits of outdoor recreation, but it gave practical advise as to travel routes, destinations, hotels, guides, proper equipment, etc.
"Adirondack Murray" was born in Guilford, Conneticut on April 26, 1840. He graduated from Yale in 1862 and attended seminary school to become a Congregational Minister. He was a great lover of outdoor sports and in 1866, began to summer in the Adirondacks, staying in the Raquette Lake and Saranac Lake areas. By 1868, he had become pastor of the prestigious Park Street Church on the east end of Boston Common.
After leaving Park Street Church in 1874, he continued to write books and to give lecture tours on his travels and adventures throughout the U.S. His last book, Holiday Tales, Christmas in the Adirondacks, was printed in 1897 and Mr. Murray died March 3, 1903.
Mr. Beach serves as the Department of Economic Development designee for Chairman Charles Gargano, and is North Country Regional Director for Empire State Development based in Plattsburgh. Mr. Beach was accompanied by son Randall S. Beach, his wife Sarah, and their toddler son Tristin. Mr. Beach donated the prints on behalf of both of his sons (other son Jonathan could not attend) and their families.