The First Adirondackers

Authors David Fadden and Curt Stager draw upon Indigenous traditions and scientific findings to reveal and celebrate the long-standing human presence in this region. This book redefines what it means to be an Adirondacker and enriches our understanding of American history.

Exploring the cultural crossroads of Indigenous and Western perspectives, the authors blend their unique backgrounds and expertise to uncover the human history of the uplands—the area between 1000 feet elevation and the summit of Mount Marcy. Fadden, a gifted storyteller and painter, shares traditional oral histories and captivating artwork that showcase the vibrancy of the region’s Indigenous peoples. Stager, a natural science professor, connects people to the land, species, and waters through his research and documentation of numerous upland sites containing ancient Indigenous artifacts.

By challenging the dominant Eurocentric narrative, The First Adirondackers seeks not to erase history but to recover a remarkable and proud heritage.