Almy D. Coggeshall papers

Collection

Identifier: ARL-041

Staff Only

Content Description

The collection contains documentary evidence of citizen efforts in management and protection of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Materials include writings, correspondence, photographs, and subject files relating to Almy D. Coggeshall's environmental advocacy in the Adirondacks. His work included adopting the carry-out system of waste disposal, promoting cross-country skiing, and limiting the use of snowmobiles within the Adirondacks.

Dates

Creation: 1962 - 2009

Creator

Coggeshall, Almy D., 1917-2009 (Person)
Adirondack Park Agency (N.Y.) (Organization)
Ski Touring Council (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Almy D. Coggeshall (1917-2009) graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in chemistry and began his career with General Electric in Schenectady in the Materials and Processes Laboratory. He would work for GE for 35 years and earn 20 patents for his work.

Him and his wife Anne joined the Adirondack Mountain Club in the 1940s. They were responsible for popularizing cross country skiing in Eastern New York. They also authored guide books suggesting skiing locations and wrote articles promoting the activity for magazines. He helped organize the Roger’s Ranger Run on Lake George, a 32-mile cross country ski race which commemorated the French and Indian War.

In 1974 he was appointed to the Schenectady County Citizens Environmental Advisory Council where he designed a county-wide solution to waste disposal that included recycling. As a consultant for New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation, he helped draft proposals for several wilderness areas including Schenectady County’s Plotterkill Preserve, Indian Kill Preserve, and County Forest.

During his term as President of the Adirondack Mountain Club from 1980-1982, he helped organize a system of Trail Crew contacts with DEC to maintain trails, as well as a plan for inventorying trail conditions. When snowmobiles became popular, he was successful in limiting their use to specially designated areas. Coggeshall was a life-long advocate for the protection of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

Extent

5 Boxes

2.52 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Almy D. Coggeshall papers measure 2.52 cubic feet and were created during the years 1962-2009. They consist of correspondence, writings, photographs, and files on winter recreation in New York State with a focus on opposition to snowmobiles.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged as four series. Contents are generally arranged by format and alphabetically thereafter.

Series 1, Correspondence, 1967-2004.

Series 2, Writings, 1967-1999.

Series 3, Subject Files, 1962-2009.

Series 4, Photographic Materials, 1968-2006.

Custodial History

First part of the collection donated by Almy D. Coggeshall, June 2005. The bulk of the collection donated by Martha Leonard and Robert Coggeshall, January 2009. On April 22, 2011, Protect the Adirondacks! placed the collection on permanent loan with Union College.