The community is invited to the Wilmington Historical Society Program “A Passionate Life: WHH ‘Adirondack’ Murray” with author Randall S. Beach, to be held on Monday, August 18th, at 7pm at the New Vida Restaurant & Craft Bar located at 6394 NY 86 in Jay, NY.

One hundred fifty years ago, thousands of middle-class urbanites from Boston and New York City abandoned the comfort of their homes and rushed into the Adirondacks, an unknown, northern wilderness, believing they would find great restorative and even curative powers. These would-be adventurers were informed by one man, William Henry Harrison Murray, a preacher from Boston, who has since been described as the father of the American outdoor movement and the modern vacation. Books will be available for purchase and for author signing. The program is free and open to the public.

About the Author

Author Randall S. Beach is the great, great grandson of W.H.H. (“Adirondack”) Murray, and has been immersed in the lore and heritage of his famous ancestor for much of his life. Having grown up just outside of the Blue Line, Randall has a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of the Adirondack Park. A graduate of Union College and Boston University School of Law, Randall is a partner in the law firm of Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP in Albany, New York. In 2014, Randall joined his wife Sarah on the path of building Murray’s Fools Distilling Company, a small craft distillery in upstate New York. He is an avid writer and, when not working, spends much of his free time with his family at their historic home in Schenectady or at the farm in Elizabethtown.

The “A Passionate Life: WHH Murray” program on August 18^th, free and open to the public, is made possible, in part, by the Essex County Arts Council's Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County. Attendees are welcome to arrive early or stay late to support our local restaurant. (Note: New Vida will serve a special limited menu from 4:30pm-7pm, bartender available until end  of program). For further information, go to www.wilmingtonhistoricalsociety.org  or contact the Wilmington Historical Society at whs12997@hotmail.com or 518-420-8370.