Historic Saranac Lake

SARANAC LABORATORY► RESTORATION

Click on the play arrow to view the Restoration Slideshow -- before and after photos shown as projects are completed

Historic Saranac Lake became the owner of the former Saranac Laboratory in 1998, and has since worked to restore the building as a museum and history center dedicated to interpreting Saranac Lake’s unique role as a pioneer health resort for research and treatment of tuberculosis.

The Saranac Laboratory [NR], so named by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, is key to the preservation of this important legacy. Since 1998, HSL's progress toward accomplishing our goal of a faithful restoration of this important historic building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is substantial.

Renovation Plan

Upon assuming ownership HSL established a multi-phase plan for renovation of the building.

• Basic repairs to and updating of the building’s infrastructure.
• Renovation of the second level of the addition into offices to provide rental income.
• Renovation of the Laboratory office to allow HSL to move its office to the Saranac Laboratory from the North Elba Town Hall.
• Restoration of the John Black Memorial Room and opening of space for community functions and educational exhibits.
• Development and execution of landscaping and parking plan.
• Establishment of educational exhibits in the John Black Room and the Saranac Laboratory Museum in the main floor of the original Laboratory building.

Progress to Date

At the present, we have made major progress toward achieving the Renovation Plan, all according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.

© 2007 PAULA DENNIS

Infrastructure: Highest priority repairs have been made—exterior masonry repointed, slate roof repaired, roof extension added to eliminate water damage, interior drainage system repaired and exterior connection established, buried oil tank removed, broken pipes replaced, new electric entrance box installed, interior wiring updated, alarm system installed, asbestos in basement removed. In addition, the large Laboratory windows have been returned to their original design and entrance doors have been replaced with replicas of the originals. In 2009, the front stone stairs were rebuilt.

Second floor of addition: A three room office suite with bathroom has been occupied by Kisco Systems since 2002. Two additional offices and a bathroom were also established. The Adirondack Unitarian-Universalist Church began renting that office space in fall of 2007.  A complete renovation was required—interior walls and ceiling insulated and sheetrocked, rewired and new lighting installed, windows repaired or replaced, salvaged radiators reconditioned and installed, new doors and floors installed, attic fire wall established.

Historic Saranac Lake office: The office was moved from the North Elba Town Hall in May 2005—damaged floors refinished, salvaged radiator reconditioned and installed, telephone and wireless internet service established. This space was converted to a giftshop and research room in 2009. The back room of the laboratory was converted to the HSL office space.

John Black Room: Substantial work has been completed—original wood floor (rotted due to drainage problems) removed and replaced with a concrete floor, asbestos removed, new exterior handicapped accessible door installed, radiators restored, radiators reconditioned and in-floor radiant heat installed, historic lighting fixtures rewired, wiring updated, leaded glass windows repaired and most storms installed, damaged ceiling and walls repaired and re-plastered, basement hallway painted, and bookcases repaired. During the summer of 2007, construction of an accessible bathroom and nearby service kitchenette and another restroom were completed. The original portrait of John Black was returned to its appropriate place over the fireplace. The room went into service in September 2007. In January 2008, the concrete floor was scored, stained and sealed, replicating the original pattern. In 2009, HSL opened the first exhibit in the John Black Room, "The Great War: WWI in Saranac Lake."

Funding to Date

Since 1998, $408,350 in direct costs have been incurred in renovating the Saranac Laboratory. This does not include the cost of HSL’s administrative oversight and program operation costs. The money to cover renovation costs has come from three sources: grants, a $105,000 mortgage held by HSL, and private donations.

Grantors include:

• $24,000 from the Adirondack North Country Enhancements Program in 1999 applied to urgently needed repairs to the exterior masonry of the building.
• 73,185 from the Environmental Protection Fund in 1999 dedicated to additional masonry repairs to the chimneys, substantial repairs to the slate roof, asbestos removal and refinishing of the two front doors.
• A $2,500 matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2001 to plan the construction of the laboratory cabinets.
• A second grant from the Adirondack North Country Community Enhancements Program of $25,000 to restore the John Black Room in 2002.
• $17,280 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), made in fiscal year 2002, which was matched by HSL, in order to build and install period replicas of the original large sash windows and storms in the laboratory side of the building (right side).
• The New York State Council on the Arts, Architecture, Planning, and Design program has consistently provided general operating funds, in the form of annual grant support.

Private Donations:

• $75,000 (including a $25,000 matching grant in 2003) from an anonymous donor from New York City, whose wife cured in Saranac Lake.
• $32,300 in private contributions in the fall 2003 Capital Campaign, which more than matched the previous year’s Capital Campaign initiative.
• $45,000  funding campaigns mounted in 2004 and 2005 through the generosity of the membership.
• $40,500 in private donations in 2006 and 2007.
• Over $94,000 in private donations in 2008.

We thank all of our friends and benefactors for their lending their faithful and heartfelt support as we continue to preserve this important part of our region's history.

Contact Us today to learn more about how your contribution can help ensure Saranac Lake's past is preserved for the future. SARANAC LABORATORY MUSEUM►