Type of Work: Sport, Recreation, and Tourism

Gerald Heath sits on iceboat

Caretaker Gerald Heath with iceboat at Singer Castle in Chippewa Bay

Gerald Heath, caretaker at Dark Island, sits on his iceboat. Heath built the iceboat out of plywood and attached a small airplane propeller to the back. He used the boat to get from the island to the mainland during the winter. Circa 1950s or early 1960s. Chippewa Bay, NY. Photo courtesy of Doug Heath.

Ski instructor Natalie Leduc

Ski instructor Natalie Leduc in Saranac Lake

Ski instructor Natalie Leduc at Pisgah Mountain. Saranac Lake, NY. 1955. Photo courtesy of Natalie Leduc. During the five decades of her working life, Saranac Lake native Natalie Leduc wore a lot of hats: ski, instructor, substitute physical education teacher, rug salesman, lifeguard, swimming instructor, and finally real estate agent. Listen to the highs and […]

George Hare working on Butterfly House in Paul Smiths

George Hare working on the construction of the Paul Smiths VIC’s Native Species Butterfly House. Circa early 2000s. Paul Smiths, NY. Photo courtesy of George Hare. You can read and listen to George’s full story here. 

The tour boat “Sis III” on the St. Lawrence River

The tour boat “Sis III” on the St. Lawrence River

Sis III, the third boat from Sis Boat Lines. It was a tour boat that went down the St. Lawrence River. 1940s or ’50s. On the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay, NY. Courtesy of the Alexandria Township Historical Society.

Three fishing guides with a catch in Alexandria Bay

Three fishing guides with a catch in Alexandria Bay

Three fishing guides pose with their catch. These fishing guides would paddle gentlemen fishermen about 30 miles a day in their skiffs. Most of the time, they would cook the tourists’ dinner with the fish they caught, called shore dinners. Circa 1870s. On the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay, NY. Courtesy of the Alexandria […]