Nicholas Politi
One of the most common things I hear from clients is, “I love the house, but I wish it had more patina.” There’s something undeniably captivating about homes that wear their age gracefully, where every stone, beam, and pane of glass holds the history of seasons passed. Adirondack camps, in particular, exude this charm, with their rustic elegance and organic connection to the land and water.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some truly remarkable properties that exemplify the magic of patina—properties like Camp Katia, Camp Hilgarth, Camp Asulykit, Camp Gordon, and Camp Woodmere. These camps, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, have been crafted from materials that age beautifully—stone, wood, and glass—and are often found nestled along the shores of lakes like Upper Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Upper St. Regis.
As Harvey Kaiser notes in Great Camps of the Adirondacks, these camps were “handcrafted from local materials, blending harmoniously with their surroundings. Stone, logs, and unpeeled bark brought the wilderness into the very structure of these buildings, allowing them to age naturally and gracefully over time.” What sets these properties apart isn’t just their age but the way their patina reflects a life well-lived. Cedar twig railings weathered by the Adirondack elements, Asian-styled rooflines gracefully sloping over porches that offer views of the tranquil lakes, and massive stone fireplaces that have warmed countless gatherings over generations. These details aren’t just aesthetic—they carry a certain soulfulness, a depth that only time can bestow.
When you step into a camp like these, you can feel the craftsmanship that went into every corner. The subtle creak of a wooden floor, the perfectly worn-in stone steps, and the gentle fading of cedar shake siding are all reminders that these homes have stood the test of time. Kaiser highlights this enduring quality: “The wear of time on wood and stone only enhanced the beauty of these great camps. Their character deepened with every passing year, offering a rare glimpse into a bygone era, where architecture was as much about living with the land as it was about providing shelter.”
Many buyers today are drawn to modern finishes and sleek designs, but there’s a growing appreciation for the richness that comes with age. Homes like Camp Katia and Camp Hilgarth embody a certain spirit that can’t be replicated with new materials. It’s the history, the authenticity, and the stories that are layered into the very fabric of these properties that make them so special.
In these great camps, architecture merges seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness, “reflecting the environment, with sprawling porches, rustic railings, and low, sweeping rooflines.” The patina of these structures, as Kaiser points out, “is a testament to their harmony with the Adirondack wilderness.”
Whether you’re looking for a home with historic charm or simply a retreat that feels lived-in and loved, patina offers a timeless appeal. These properties remind us that sometimes, the imperfections are what make something truly perfect.
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