Vintage photographs displayed in the Fort William Henry Hotel have sparked conversation, and they show a very different version of what the hotel looks like today.
“Seneca” Ray Stoddard, an Adirondack photographer born in 1843, captured the Adirondack region through photography, including the historic Fort William Henry Hotel.
“Stoddard’s pictures capture the hotel as it was when it was first built in 1855. You can see the piazza and a stagecoach arriving,” Sam Luciano, president of the Fort William Henry hotel, said.
The installation was curated by Nicole Herwig, the executive director of the Chapman Museum. 12 of Stoddard’s photographs from the museum were set up for display in the Hotel.
“We have wonderful collection of Seneca photographs, a lot of the original building, and the Fort thought it would be a good idea to have it on display in their lobby,” Herwig said. “So many people were coming to look at them and talk about them — what it was like, the modes of transportation, what it used to look like — it just really opened up discussion.”
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Gloria Ragonetti, a former Chapman Museum board chair, originated the idea for the collection.
“The idea came from (Ragonetti) who was visiting Fort William Henry’s carriage house, and she just thought the lobby would be the perfect place to display our Seneca photographs,” Herwig said.
The hotel agreed.
The Fort William Henry Hotel has experienced many changes since the original photographs were taken. Luciano feels it is an important representation of history.
“The building was lost to fire in 1909, and I am grateful these images remain to remind all of us of the history of the property,” Luciano said.
“It’s a good way to promote our collection, and the exhibit is aligned with both our missions. We are pleased to display these images at the location where they were taken more than 140 years ago,” Herwig said.
The installation of Stoddard’s photographs is available to view for free in the Fort William Henry Hotel lobby, with no end date in sight for the display.
Sarah “S.C.” Douglas is a reporter who covers Washington County and municipalities therein. Her beat is Education. Contact: 518-742-3320, sdouglas@poststar.com.
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