First Day Hike participants pose for a photo at the edge of fields above the historic site. (Provided photo — Brendan Mills)

LAKE PLACID — John Brown Farm hosted one of many First Day Hikes held annually at state parks across New York on Monday.

This was the 13th year First Day Hikes have been held in New York state. By 10:30 a.m., about 34 guests had gathered at the John Brown Farm barn, both local residents and out-of-towners.

First Day bandanas were distributed to participants and their dogs. Leashed pets were welcomed on the grounds, but not inside. First Day hikers were invited to fill out a free raffle ticket each, and there was one lucky winner of an Empire Pass, which allows free vehicle admission for day use at all New York state parks and historic sites.

John Brown Farm Site Manager Brendan Mills and Historic Interpreter Cheryl Craft welcomed guests, wished everyone a happy new year, and reminded the group that Jan. 1 is also Emancipation Proclamation Day.

There was a short talk about the historic date, Jan. 1, 1863, when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It declared “that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are and henceforward shall be free.” It was the beginning of the end of slavery. Shortly thereafter, Mary, widow of John Brown, wrote to her friend, Massachusetts abolitionist Mary Stearns, and said: “God Bless Abraham Lincoln. And give God the Glory for the Day of Jubilee is Come.” Mary Brown, who shared her husband’s convictions, had some consolation that the cause her husband had fought for was being pursued.

The group then prepared to go out onto the trails, with about half choosing a 2-mile loop uphill with Craft, climbing roughly 150 feet through the woods to the edge of fields above the historic site, which until several years ago were Cornell University potato fields. Prior to that, the area had been farmed for at least 180 years. Other hikers chose the ski jump trail, guided by Mills, for a less hilly 1 mile hike with an overlook of the John Brown Farm site. Hot chocolate, coffee and cookies were waiting for all who came back to the visitor center.