Blasting dynamite at the ADKX Life in the Adirondack exhibit. (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

What’s in a name? Last year’s name change from The Adirondack Museum to Adirondack Experience – the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake (ADKX) had a few people up in arms. For my family, it’s still the same place that we’ve explored since the children were tiny and continue to recommend to visiting family and friends. With new exhibits and play spaces, the ADKX showcases the people and their impact of settling the wild Adirondacks.

The ADKX houses over 24 buildings and exhibition space on 121 acres of land, beautiful gardens and ponds. There are many active elements to the ADKX, like climbing the Whiteface Mountain fire tower, the Reising Schoolhouse filled with paper crafts and era-specific wooden toys, “The Great Outdoors” building’s campsite, or Kids Cabin. There are just as many places to sit and relax or just enjoy a leisurely stroll. Since that barely touches on the activities available, keep in mind all admissions are valid for a second visit within a one-week time period.

The 19,000 square-foot ‘Life in the Adirondacks” exhibition explores a variety of aspects involving what it is to settle, work, and live in the Adirondacks. On our most recent visit our group consisted of a wide range of ages. While the youngest ones ran from location to location, the older generation took a bit more time to read the different displays and learn more about how and why people settled in the Adirondack Park.

The Wilderness Stories Introduction Theatre video highlights the five major themes, Call of the targeted throughout the exhibition. The three minute multi-media presentation introduces a variety of Adirondack residents and their strong bond with the region. In each of the five themes, Call of the Wilderness, Peopled Wilderness, Roughing it, Adirondack Tough, and Our Adirondack Park, are interactive segments. We dress up in Model T dusters and goggles, row a guide boat to the opposite shore, and build a log cabin. We prep an iron mine for a dynamite blast, help prevent a log jam, and walk through the Park on a giant floor-sized map.

One element that has never been highlighted before at the museum is an exhibit dedicated to the Mohawk and Abenaki people. Music, stories, and a language-learning station were just a few of the “A Peopled Wilderness” stations along with gorgeous artwork and artifacts. Usually the indigenous people’s stories are overshadowed by the opulence of the Great Camp era. It was wonderful to delve into such a rich culture and their traditions.

The ADKX is open daily from Friday, May 25 to Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the 2018 season. The ADKX is located 9097 State Route 30, Blue Mountain Lake. Admission is $20 for adults (18-64), $12 for children (6-17) and students with valid ID, $18 for seniors (65+), free for children (5 and under) as well as all active Military. For year-round residents admission is free the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.