The Hedges’ canoe launch on Blue Mountain Lake (Photo provided)

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE — The Hedges on Blue Mountain Lake is commemorating its 100th season, and in recognition of this milestone, Hamilton County and the town of Indian Lake have designated this Friday as Hedges Centennial Day.

Richard and Margaret Collins welcomed the first lodging guests on May 28, 1921, and the rustic resort in the Great Camp tradition has been operating ever since, opening this year on June 9.

Located on the shores of Blue Mountain Lake, The Hedges was originally the Duryea Camp, with the first buildings constructed after Civil War Gen. Hiram Duryea purchased the land in 1880. The site and buildings are now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, The Hedges offers 30 family-friendly and adult lodging options, breakfast and dinner, and a wide variety of recreational activities. It is one of the few historic camps in the Great Camp tradition open to the public, due to the stewardship of the property and the hospitality provided by a series of owners over 100 years. Richard and Margaret Collins were the first innkeepers, followed by John Collins Sr., who became the general manager in 1943 when his father died. Richard and Catherine Van Yperen operated from 1973 through their retirement, when Pat and Rip Benton purchased it in 2000. The current ownership group, a coalition of loyal guests formed in 2018 when Pat retired, purchased the property to ensure the resort would remain open to the public. Jamie Thomas serves as its general manager.

During the 2021 season, numerous activities will help celebrate the centennial milestone while following guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health. The Crow’s Nest gift shop will feature centennial-themed merchandise and will sell the book “The Hedges: The Story of Twelve Precious Acres on Blue Mountain Lake.” Roger Kessel authored it for this occasion because there are many books about other well-known Adirondack camps, but none about The Hedges. It includes interviews with owners, relatives of owners, guests and friends. The historic marker on Hedges Road will be dedicated this summer. Lodging guests through the season up to the closing weekend in October will join in marking the anniversary with a variety of special activities.