The Adirondack Legacy of Three Pruyn Families

History & Genealogy program for adults. Registration is required and closes on November 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. There are 7 seats remaining.

The Newcomb Historical Museum presents a fresh look at the Adirondack legacies of three prominent Pruyn relatives: Samuel (1820–1908), Major Charles Elisha (1840–1864), and Robert Clarence (1847–1934). These three descendants share Dutch ancestors who came to New York City in the 1600s and eventually migrated north to Albany. While most of their extended families stayed close to home in the capital district, a few ventured farther north and left noteworthy marks on Adirondack history.

Charles Elisha Pruyn was the first to impact North Country lives. As a young Civil War soldier, he served with members of the 118th Infantry Regiment of Volunteers, often called the “Adirondack Regiment.” Soon after arriving in Plattsburgh to organize the inexperienced troops, he became “practically in command of the post.” His short life of leadership continued to be inspirational.

Samuel Pruyn learned about logging through fifteen years of work in the woods. In 1865, he partnered with Jeremiah and Daniel Finch to form Finch, Pruyn and Company in Glens Falls. Their first Adirondack forest purchase was in Newcomb, where they established the Northern Woodland Headquarters, called the Newcomb Farm.

Robert C. Pruyn, an Albany banker, and his wife, Anna Williams, completed Great Camp Santanoni in 1893 on their 13,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness, which included Newcomb Lake. The Santanoni Preserve is now a National Historic Landmark open to the public and preserved under the guardianship of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), and the Town of Newcomb.

The November 1 presentation will be delivered by Dr. Joan Burke, founding director of the Newcomb Historical Museum. Dr. Burke is a lifelong educator with degrees in history, literature, and art/design. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park. Two Museum staff members who helped create the 2026 exhibit will accompany her. Parts of the exhibit will be on display during the talk, including three large panels illustrating 12 generations in the three Pruyn families. Artifacts and photographs will also be displayed.

Reasonable accommodations are available by request. Please contact the library directly.