This collection consists of interviews, photos, video, and related materials documenting the experience and stories of long-time residents of the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York’s North Country. Tug Hill is a 2,100 square mile patchwork of small villages, farms, and wilderness located between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks. Known to the Iroquois as the “Lesser Wilderness”, to distinguish it from the Adirondacks, Tug Hill is especially noted for record snowfalls, and a self-sufficient, resilient population.

 

TAUNY conducted this project in partnership with artist Loretta Lepkowski, the Tug Hill Commission, and the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. Criteria for inclusion were drawn from the Tug Hill Sages program established by the Tug Hill Commission in 1983. Sages are individuals who have vast knowledge of Tug Hill’s heritage and its environment and have shown a life-long involvement in the region. They have distinguished themselves by their strong historical knowledge of the region and by their actions that have contributed significantly to the quality of life on Tug Hill. Interviews were conducted by Camilla Ammirati of TAUNY and Loretta Lepkowski.

Interviews (15):
George and Beverly Bibbins
Irvine "Dutch" Buchal and son Frank
Jim and Arden Burke
George and Terry Cataldo
Leona Chereshnoski
Ben and Peggy Coe
Constable Family (John, Mary, and Jane)
Mary (Barniak) Gothe
Warren and Eleanor Mathis
"Doc" Edwin Russell
Bob and Mary Saur
Benny and Stanley Szalach
Arsa Weiman
Fran and Coral Yerdon
Elaine "Suz" and John Yerdon and daughter Angie Kimball

TAUNY (Traditional Arts in Upstate New York) (creator)

Camilla Ammirati (creator)