Mohonk Mountain House

Mohonk Mountain House
Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Mohonk Mountain House
Location	New Paltz, New York
Architect	Stephen Decatur Clark
Owner	Smiley family
Number of rooms	259

Mohonk Mountain House is a historic resort located in New Paltz, New York, near the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. The resort has been owned and operated by the Smiley family since its founding in 1869 by Albert Smiley and has hosted numerous notable guests, including Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Eleanor Roosevelt. The resort is situated on the Shawangunk Ridge, a popular destination for rock climbing and hiking, and is near the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mohonk Preserve. The resort has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and has been awarded the Audubon Society's Audubon International certification.

● History

The history of the resort dates back to 1869, when Albert Smiley and his brother Alfred Smiley purchased a farmhouse on the Shawangunk Ridge and began to develop the property into a resort. The resort quickly gained popularity, attracting guests such as Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs. In the early 20th century, the resort became a popular destination for conferences and meetings, hosting events such as the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration, which was attended by Nobel Peace Prize winners like Jane Addams and Nicholas Murray Butler. The resort has also been recognized for its role in the women's suffrage movement, with guests like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony staying at the resort. The resort is also near the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.

● Architecture

The architecture of the resort is a mix of Victorian architecture and Rustic architecture, with many of the buildings designed by Stephen Decatur Clark. The resort's main building, which features a large porch and a turret, was designed in the style of a Swiss chalet and has been expanded and renovated several times over the years. The resort also features several other buildings, including a spa, a golf course clubhouse, and a number of cottages and lodges. The resort's design has been influenced by the work of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the grounds of the resort, and Calvert Vaux, who designed the Central Park in New York City. The resort is also near the Bard College and the Culinary Institute of America.

● Amenities

The resort offers a range of amenities, including a spa, a fitness center, and a number of dining options, including a formal dining room and a more casual grill room. The resort also features a number of recreational activities, including a golf course, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Guests can also take part in a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. The resort is also near the Walkway Over the Hudson and the Mid-Hudson Bridge. The resort has also partnered with the Mohonk Preserve to offer guided nature walks and bird-watching tours.

● Conservation Efforts

The resort has a strong commitment to conservation and sustainability, and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. The resort has been recognized for its efforts by the Audubon Society and has been awarded the Audubon International certification. The resort has also partnered with the Nature Conservancy and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to protect the surrounding wildlife habitat and ecosystem. The resort is also near the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and the Catskill Park. The resort has also implemented a number of energy-efficient measures, including the use of solar power and geothermal energy.

● Recreation

The resort offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. Guests can also take part in a number of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The resort is situated near the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and the Mohonk Preserve, which offer a range of trails and scenic views. The resort is also near the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center and the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort. The resort has also partnered with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to offer guided nature walks and interpretive programs. The resort is also near the Thomas Cole National Historic Site and the Olana State Historic Site.