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1. Welcome! The Stevenson Society was first called the Stevenson Memorial Committee. On October 30, 1915 it unveiled a bronze bas-relief memorial tablet designed by Gutzon Borglum on the cottage that Robert Louis Stevenson had occupied in 1887-1888. The Stevenson Society was first called the Stevenson Memorial Committee. On October 30, 1915 it unveiled a bronze bas-relief memorial tablet designed by Gutzon Borglum on the cottage that Robert Louis Stevenson had occupied in 1887-1888.

2. Saranac Lake - 1887 The Adirondacks remained sparsely populated because of the hostile environment. The construction of the Erie Canal in the 1830s, followed by connecting roads and later railroads, opened the area for the timber, tanning, charcoal, potash, and iron industry. Trapping had reduced the number of beaver to about 300 by 1830. Novelists, artists, and travelers began romanticizing the wilderness area and fashionable tourists began visiting for rugged fishing and hunting expeditions organized by local guides. �The miserable hamlet of Saranac Lake�� as described by Reverend J.P. Lundy took on a cosmopolitan flair unusual for the place�s size and location. The Adirondacks remained sparsely populated because of the hostile environment. The construction of the Erie Canal in the 1830s, followed by connecting roads and later railroads, opened the area for the timber, tanning, charcoal, potash, and iron industry. Trapping had reduced the number of beaver to about 300 by 1830. Novelists, artists, and travelers began romanticizing the wilderness area and fashionable tourists began visiting for rugged fishing and hunting expeditions organized by local guides. �The miserable hamlet of Saranac Lake�� as described by Reverend J.P. Lundy took on a cosmopolitan flair unusual for the place�s size and location.

3. Baker Family / Area Growth 1851- Martin�s, the first �luxury� hotel, was built on Lower Saranac Lake. 1852 - Colonel Milote Baker settled at base of Mount Baker 1854 - Baker appointed first Postmaster 1856 - Stories of �consumption� cures were circulating 1875 - Railroad to Whitehall area Robert Louis Stevenson, Fanny Stevenson, Lloyd Osbourne, and a servant arrived in October of 1887. Stevenson sent a letter to Henry James, �Our house � emphatically �Bakers� is on a hill and has sight of a stream turning a corner in the valley � bless the face of running water! � and sees some hills too, and the paganly prosaic roofs of Saranac itself; the lake it does not see, nor do I regret that; I like water (fresh water, I mean) either running swiftly among stones, or else largely qualified with whiskey��Robert Louis Stevenson, Fanny Stevenson, Lloyd Osbourne, and a servant arrived in October of 1887. Stevenson sent a letter to Henry James, �Our house � emphatically �Bakers� is on a hill and has sight of a stream turning a corner in the valley � bless the face of running water! � and sees some hills too, and the paganly prosaic roofs of Saranac itself; the lake it does not see, nor do I regret that; I like water (fresh water, I mean) either running swiftly among stones, or else largely qualified with whiskey��

4. Saranac Lake and Dr. Trudeau 1859 - Paul Smith builds hotel on Lower St. Regis Lake and attracts wealthy clients 1871- Dr. Trudeau visits Paul Smith�s and health improves 1874 � Trudeau moves permanently to Saranac Lake 1876 � Wealthy patrons help Trudeau start treatment center Trudeau�s laboratory was the first in this country devoted to original tuberculosis research in this country. His ideals and high standards of research attracted a team of talented younger men. The pure dry air was compared to Davos, St. Moritz, or Denver. Trudeau�s laboratory was the first in this country devoted to original tuberculosis research in this country. His ideals and high standards of research attracted a team of talented younger men. The pure dry air was compared to Davos, St. Moritz, or Denver.

5. Stevenson arrives � The Winter of 1887-1888 Recent fame through publishing of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Legacy from father�s death Destination was Colorado Springs for pulmonary treatment Reputation of Dr. Trudeau brought family to Saranac Lake Stevenson had been financially dependent on his father, Thomas Stevenson, most of his life because of his poor health. Thomas� death in May of 1887 provided him with a three thousand pound inheritance. His reputation as well as his financial stability in the United States was growing through the popularity of his novelette The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The family left Europe with the plan to go to Colorado Springs for Stevenson�s health. When they arrived in New York, Stevenson�s was not well and the journey across the continent seemed daunting. Through meeting with his publishers at Scribners, he was encouraged to go to the village of Saranac Lake where Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau had begun treating �consumption� patients in the rigorous climate. It was arranged that the family would rent a cottage from the Baker family. The journey involved riverboat, railroad, and stagecoach. The family passed the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga which gave him the name for the ballad �Ticonderoga � A Legend of the Western Highlands� in which he saluted his father�s passing. Stevenson had been financially dependent on his father, Thomas Stevenson, most of his life because of his poor health. Thomas� death in May of 1887 provided him with a three thousand pound inheritance. His reputation as well as his financial stability in the United States was growing through the popularity of his novelette The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The family left Europe with the plan to go to Colorado Springs for Stevenson�s health. When they arrived in New York, Stevenson�s was not well and the journey across the continent seemed daunting. Through meeting with his publishers at Scribners, he was encouraged to go to the village of Saranac Lake where Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau had begun treating �consumption� patients in the rigorous climate. It was arranged that the family would rent a cottage from the Baker family. The journey involved riverboat, railroad, and stagecoach. The family passed the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga which gave him the name for the ballad �Ticonderoga � A Legend of the Western Highlands� in which he saluted his father�s passing.

6. Writing while in Saranac Lake � Twelve essays to be printed in Scribner�s Magazine for $3,500 Preface to Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin Preface to Black Arrow The Wrong Box with Lloyd Osbourne The Master of Ballantrae Stevenson speaks of starting The Master of Ballantrae: �I was walking one night in the verandah of a small house in which I lived, outside the hamlet of Saranac. It was winter; the night was very dark; the air extraordinary clear and cold, and sweet with the purity of forests. From a good way below, the river was to be heard contending with ice and boulders; a few lights appeared, scattered unevenly among the darkness, but so far away as not to lessen the sense of isolation. For the making of a story here were fine conditions �� Stevenson wrote of his agreement with Scribner�s, �I am now a salaried party; I am a bourgeois now; I am to write a monthly paper for Scribner�s at a scale of payment which makes my teeth ache for shame and diffidence�� � I am like to be a millionaire if this goes on, and be publicly hanged at the social revolution: well, I would prefer that to dying in my bed; and it would be a godsend for my biographer, if ever I have one.� Stevenson speaks of starting The Master of Ballantrae: �I was walking one night in the verandah of a small house in which I lived, outside the hamlet of Saranac. It was winter; the night was very dark; the air extraordinary clear and cold, and sweet with the purity of forests. From a good way below, the river was to be heard contending with ice and boulders; a few lights appeared, scattered unevenly among the darkness, but so far away as not to lessen the sense of isolation. For the making of a story here were fine conditions �� Stevenson wrote of his agreement with Scribner�s, �I am now a salaried party; I am a bourgeois now; I am to write a monthly paper for Scribner�s at a scale of payment which makes my teeth ache for shame and diffidence�� � I am like to be a millionaire if this goes on, and be publicly hanged at the social revolution: well, I would prefer that to dying in my bed; and it would be a godsend for my biographer, if ever I have one.�

7. Dreaming of the South Seas � Winter In rigorous hours, when down the iron lane The redbreast looks in vain For hips and haws, Lo, shining flowers upon my window-pane The silver pencil of the winter draws. When all the snowy hill And the bare woods are still; When snipes are silent in the frozen bogs, And all the garden garth is whelmed in mire, Lo, by the hearth, the laughter of the logs- More fair than roses, lo, the flowers of fire! Court and Society Review, December 1887 Stevenson burned holes in the Baker�s sitting-room mantle piece with the live ends of his cigarettes as he spent evenings talking with Andrew Baker, whom he describes as a �woodsman�. Another companion was Dr. Trudeau who wrote in his autobiography, �� I found myself, as it was growing dark, very often seated by the fireplace in the Baker Cottage having a good talk with my illustrious patient.� They had many heated discussion by the fireplace in the sitting-room. Trudeau describes Stevenson�s �striking personality, keen insight into life, his wondrous idealism, his nimble intellect, and his inimitable vocabulary�. Trudeau�s life of �study of facts� contrasted with Stevenson�s view to ignore or avoid as much as possible unpleasant facts , and live in �a beautiful, strenuous, and ideal world of fancy�. Sam McClure, of McClure�s Magazine, recalled a conversation with Stevenson while sitting before the Baker Cottage fireplace: McClure had come up to Saranac Lake to talk about getting a new novel from him. Stevenson had two in mind. One was a sequel to Kidnapped. As he felt better while at sea, he wanted to fit up a yacht and take long cruises. McClure offered to finance the expenses. After the publisher returned to New York, he sent the author a number of books on the South Seas. On his next visit, they talked late into the night planning the voyage. The arrangements were to include a phonograph which would record sounds of the sea and wind and speech and song of the natives. Upon Stevenson�s return he would embark on a lecture tour and talk on the South Seas. Stevenson burned holes in the Baker�s sitting-room mantle piece with the live ends of his cigarettes as he spent evenings talking with Andrew Baker, whom he describes as a �woodsman�. Another companion was Dr. Trudeau who wrote in his autobiography, �� I found myself, as it was growing dark, very often seated by the fireplace in the Baker Cottage having a good talk with my illustrious patient.� They had many heated discussion by the fireplace in the sitting-room. Trudeau describes Stevenson�s �striking personality, keen insight into life, his wondrous idealism, his nimble intellect, and his inimitable vocabulary�. Trudeau�s life of �study of facts� contrasted with Stevenson�s view to ignore or avoid as much as possible unpleasant facts , and live in �a beautiful, strenuous, and ideal world of fancy�. Sam McClure, of McClure�s Magazine, recalled a conversation with Stevenson while sitting before the Baker Cottage fireplace: McClure had come up to Saranac Lake to talk about getting a new novel from him. Stevenson had two in mind. One was a sequel to Kidnapped. As he felt better while at sea, he wanted to fit up a yacht and take long cruises. McClure offered to finance the expenses. After the publisher returned to New York, he sent the author a number of books on the South Seas. On his next visit, they talked late into the night planning the voyage. The arrangements were to include a phonograph which would record sounds of the sea and wind and speech and song of the natives. Upon Stevenson�s return he would embark on a lecture tour and talk on the South Seas.

8. Following the dream � April 16, 1888 - The Stevensons leave Saranac Lake Mrs. Stevenson goes to San Francisco to make preparations for the cruise Stevenson waited in New York, and later because his health deteriorated, to Manasquan, New Jersey, to be near the sea and sailing. While at lunch with W.H. Low, a telegram arrived from Fanny, �Can get Casco for the South Sea cruise�. Low asked, �What will you do?� Stevenson replied, �Why go, of course!�Stevenson waited in New York, and later because his health deteriorated, to Manasquan, New Jersey, to be near the sea and sailing. While at lunch with W.H. Low, a telegram arrived from Fanny, �Can get Casco for the South Sea cruise�. Low asked, �What will you do?� Stevenson replied, �Why go, of course!�

9. Requiem Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie, Glad did I live and gladly die, And laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be, Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill. Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-1894 Stevenson died at his home in the Samoan Islands on December 3, 1894. He was 44 at the time and his funeral on the top of Mt. Vaea, was attended by by tribal chiefsStevenson died at his home in the Samoan Islands on December 3, 1894. He was 44 at the time and his funeral on the top of Mt. Vaea, was attended by by tribal chiefs

10. Stevenson Memorial Committee -- 1915 The original founding board included Dr. Hugh M. Kinghorn, Stephen Chalmers, Gutzon Borglum, Dr. Allen K. Kraus, C. M. Palmer, M. M. Feustmann, C. S. Thurston, Ernest H. Baldwin, Robert H. Davis, Dr. Lawrason Brown. On the occasion of the unveiling of the memorial plate, the organization was renamed �The Stevenson Society�. The original founding board included Dr. Hugh M. Kinghorn, Stephen Chalmers, Gutzon Borglum, Dr. Allen K. Kraus, C. M. Palmer, M. M. Feustmann, C. S. Thurston, Ernest H. Baldwin, Robert H. Davis, Dr. Lawrason Brown. On the occasion of the unveiling of the memorial plate, the organization was renamed �The Stevenson Society�.

11. Founding Purposes The collection and preservation of relics of Robert Louis Stevenson. The collection and preservation of original manuscripts and first editions of his works. The collection and preservation of books relating to Stevenson. The ultimate acquiring of a permanent home for proper housing of the collection. These are the purposes according to the original charter. In 1915, the Society purchased the �Baker Cottage� to permanently house the collection. These are the purposes according to the original charter. In 1915, the Society purchased the �Baker Cottage� to permanently house the collection.

12. Gutzon Borglum The Stevenson Memorial Committee unveiled a bronze bas-relief memorial tablet designed by Gutzon Borglum at a reception on October 30, 1915 and became �The Stevenson Society�. Gutzon Borglum contributed his services as a personal tribute to Stevenson whom he called �the great sculptor of words�. The Stevenson Memorial Committee unveiled a bronze bas-relief memorial tablet designed by Gutzon Borglum at a reception on October 30, 1915 and became �The Stevenson Society�. Gutzon Borglum contributed his services as a personal tribute to Stevenson whom he called �the great sculptor of words�.

13. The Collection The Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Museum houses the world�s finest collection of Stevenson lore. The cottage houses the furnishings used by the Stevenson family, personal objects used while Stevenson was in Saranac Lake, as well as objects gifted to the museum by the Stevenson family and international members of The Stevenson Society. These include: The writing desk which he used while at the Baker Cottage - writing despite the ink freezing in the inkwell. The penny flute which he played for the entertainment of his household and guests. The ice skates he wore skating on Moody Pond dressed in fur garments purchased by Fanny Stevenson from Canadian Indians. And the bronze bust by Gutzon Borglum.The Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Museum houses the world�s finest collection of Stevenson lore. The cottage houses the furnishings used by the Stevenson family, personal objects used while Stevenson was in Saranac Lake, as well as objects gifted to the museum by the Stevenson family and international members of The Stevenson Society. These include: The writing desk which he used while at the Baker Cottage - writing despite the ink freezing in the inkwell. The penny flute which he played for the entertainment of his household and guests. The ice skates he wore skating on Moody Pond dressed in fur garments purchased by Fanny Stevenson from Canadian Indians. And the bronze bust by Gutzon Borglum.

14. TheCollection Other treasured items in the collection include: Bagpipes owned by the Stevenson family since the mid-eighteenth century; 18 �Moral Emblem� woodblocks made by Stevenson in Davos-Platz, Switzerland; Will H. Low painting of RLS and the muse, titled �Stevenson in the Garden.�Other treasured items in the collection include: Bagpipes owned by the Stevenson family since the mid-eighteenth century; 18 �Moral Emblem� woodblocks made by Stevenson in Davos-Platz, Switzerland; Will H. Low painting of RLS and the muse, titled �Stevenson in the Garden.�

15. �Moral Emblems� / Woodcuts Poem V Industrious pirate! see him sweepThe lonely bosom of the deep,And daily the horizon scanFrom Hatteras or Matapan.Be sure, before that pirate's old,He will have made a pot of gold,And will retire from all his laboursAnd be respected by his neighbours.You also scan your life's horizonFor all that you can clap your eyes on. In 1882, while Stevenson was living in Davos-Platz, a health-community in Switzerland, he created a series of woodcuts in partnership with his 13 year old stepson, Lloyd Osbourne. Mr. Osbourne loaned the set to the Boston Public library in 1899. In 1917, he discovered that the woodblocks had been placed in storage and were never displayed. He recovered them and presented them to The Stevenson Society of America in 1917. In 1918, six sets of prints were struck on Japanese paper. In 1882, while Stevenson was living in Davos-Platz, a health-community in Switzerland, he created a series of woodcuts in partnership with his 13 year old stepson, Lloyd Osbourne. Mr. Osbourne loaned the set to the Boston Public library in 1899. In 1917, he discovered that the woodblocks had been placed in storage and were never displayed. He recovered them and presented them to The Stevenson Society of America in 1917. In 1918, six sets of prints were struck on Japanese paper.

16. Stevenson Society of America, Inc. Officers & Board Members Jim Abendroth, President Rita Leonard, Vice-president Les Hershhorn, Treasurer Les Parker, Secretary Walter Finnegan Paul Kok Mike Munn Nicholas Rankin, British Representative The historic Stevenson Society of America was established in 1915 and in 1920 was incorporated as a not-for-profit educational entity and remains so today under the requirements of the New York State Education Department. The Society, which owns and operates the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum in Saranac Lake, N.Y., has a two-fold purpose: 1) to perpetuate the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson, author, in Saranac Lake by the collection and preservation of records, manuscripts, books and objects pertaining to his life and works. 2) to educate the public about him and provide a research center for scholars which includes documents pertinent to local history. To these ends the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum is open to visitors daily on a seasonal basis and by appointment year round. The Museum is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers and membership is open to all who are interested in the author and his works and desire to spread his brave philosophy of living. Our work is summed up well in this quote from Livingston Chapman, (Secretary, Stevenson Society of� America, 1923-1934) -- �The work in which we are engaged is a labor of love; a desire to perpetuate the memory of a noble, brave man.�His life and optimistic attitude should surely be an inspiration to those who know anything about him ."� The historic Stevenson Society of America was established in 1915 and in 1920 was incorporated as a not-for-profit educational entity and remains so today under the requirements of the New York State Education Department. The Society, which owns and operates the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum in Saranac Lake, N.Y., has a two-fold purpose: 1) to perpetuate the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson, author, in Saranac Lake by the collection and preservation of records, manuscripts, books and objects pertaining to his life and works. 2) to educate the public about him and provide a research center for scholars which includes documents pertinent to local history. To these ends the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum is open to visitors daily on a seasonal basis and by appointment year round. The Museum is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers and membership is open to all who are interested in the author and his works and desire to spread his brave philosophy of living. Our work is summed up well in this quote from Livingston Chapman, (Secretary, Stevenson Society of� America, 1923-1934) -- �The work in which we are engaged is a labor of love; a desire to perpetuate the memory of a noble, brave man.�His life and optimistic attitude should surely be an inspiration to those who know anything about him ."�

17. When to visit � Open: July 1 to Columbus Day Hours: 9:30 to 12 -- 1 to 4:30 Closed Mondays Open by Appointment � Resident Curator, Mike Delahant (518) 891-1462 Jim Abendroth, President (518) 891-0805 or Les Hershhorn, Treasurer (518) 637-4989 or (518) 891-6406 The curator of the Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum always welcomes visitors and will respond immediately to phone calls and e-mails. The curator of the Stevenson Memorial Cottage and Museum always welcomes visitors and will respond immediately to phone calls and e-mails.

18. How to get involved � Join the Society Spread the word Donate Volunteer Train as docent Help raise funds The Society welcomes all participants!The Society welcomes all participants!