Within the archive of Lake George photographer Fred Thatcher
(1881-1969) are dozens of images of Marcella Sembrich (1858-1935),
internationally celebrated Metropolitan Opera star and teacher at The Curtis
Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, who summered in Bolton Landing
from 1922-1934. Recently, images of winter at Bay View were found within the
archive, offering a rare glimpse of Bay View, along with several other views of
winter on Lake George in the early 1900s.
Winter at Bay View
Marcella Sembrich's lakeside estate Bay View was a hub for musical activity and Lake George society events each summer. Every fall the pipes were drained, the windows shuttered, and the house vacated for the winter months. Because of this seasonal use, there are almost no images of the property in the winter season. However, several rare views of Bay View covered in snow were recently located. This view of the house was taken from the frozen surface of Bolton Bay on Lake George.
Winter at Bay View (1935-36) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
When not at Bay View, Madame Sembrich resided at The Kenilworth on Central Park West in New York City. She spent the winter months teaching voice lessons at the Julliard School in New York City and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From within her studios at each institution, several promising students were invited to travel to Bay View the following summer to continue to study and enjoy the Adirondack summer season.
Winter View of Lake George from Bay View (1935-36) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
During the summers Madame Sembrich favored boat travel, often traveling to Bolton Landing from the train station via boat. During the winter months, when boat travel was not possible, sleighs and automobiles could move easily across the frozen lake.
Interestingly, this platform once had a pagoda gazebo atop the brick patio. Several years before Sembrich purchased the estate, the gazebo top was sold and moved by sled across the bay, where it still stands on Treasure Point.
Bay View in the Snow (1935-36) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Despite having two coal burning boilers for hot water, it is doubtful the house had insulation to effectively heat and sustain the home for a winter stay. With an average winter temperature of about 16°F (-8°C), without proper insulation, even with several small coal fireplaces and the boiler system, it would be difficult to properly heat the large home.
Bolton Road at Sembrich Estate (1922-25) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
While Bay View and many other homes were vacant throughout the winter, a short trip south on Lake Shore Drive (pictured) to Lake George Village offered winter visitors a lively winter experience.
A Few Miles South
While Madame Sembrich and other seasonal residents left the area in the winter, this was by no means an indication that there was nothing to do during the cold wintry months. In fact, Lake George was increasing in popularity as a winter destination. Visitors would arrive here, the south shore of the lake, via train from New York.
Fort William Hanry Hotel (1914-01-04) by New-York TribuneThe Sembrich
The trip from New York City took about 7 hours and offered city residents the perfect weekend getaway from the booming turn of the century New York City landscape. During the summer months Madame Sembrich would take this same train ride to the village and then take a boat to Bay View. In the winter months, because the lake surface would freeze solid, automobiles and sleighs replaced boats racing across the ice.
Sleigh on the Ice (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Much like in the summer, the lake itself was a means of transportation. In the summer months boats and steam ships took visitors to various locations on the lake. In winter time, sleighs took their place, traveling atop the ice and allowing easier access to the eastern shore.
An afternoon sleigh ride was a perfect time to dawn the latest fashions including opulent fur coats and designer hats.
Sleigh on Canada Street in Lake George Village (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Horse drawn sleighs were still a popular mode of transport throughout the turn of the century. This group of men pose with their sleigh at the bottom of Canada Street in Lake George Village. The Thatcher Studio in Lake George was located to the right of this group, just outside of the frame.
The stone structure seen here (center) still stands in the village today.
Fun Fact: The shirt collars worn by these men were likely produced in Troy, New York, the "Collar City."
Ice Harvesting on Lake George (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
When the lake surface was frozen thick enough to bear significant weight, locals could harvest massive chunks of ice to be sold and used.
Teams would cut large blocks and drag them across the lake and to town via horse drawn sleigh.
A Sleigh Posing on Lake George (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
In addition to harvesting ice and providing easier lake transport, horse drawn sleighs offered an excellent source of recreation. The icy lake was host to sleigh races in the months of January and February.
The Lake George Racing Association even offered spectators the opportunity to place bets. With the prospect of large winnings, horse trainers brought their finest horses to race on the lake.
Sledding on Lake George (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Sliding into a New Century
In 1911, the Fort William Henry Hotel, located at the southern
tip of Lake George, reopened following a fire which destroyed the original
structure. The new rebuilt hotel could now accommodate guests throughout the
year and quickly became the premiere winter destination on the lake.
One of the most popular winter attractions at the Fort William Henry Hotel was a 1,500 foot toboggan slide leading from the hotel’s hill top location...
...down to the frozen lake.
Posing With Sleds on Lake George (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Fred Thatcher, whose studio was a short walk away, would take photographs at the bottom of the slide for visitors to purchase.
Visitors Pose for a Picture on the Lake George Ice (1912-13) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Despite the popularity of Lake George in the summer months, the allure of the winter can’t be underplayed. Skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, sledding, sleigh racing, ice yachting, were just a few activities one could enjoy in the snowy Adirondack winters on Lake George.
Group of Winter Visitors to the Lake George Area (1915) by Fred Thatcher (1881-1969)The Sembrich
Newly revitalized by the frigid Adirondack air, visitors clad in furs would once again board the train bringing with them cherished memories (and perhaps a souvenir photo from The Thatcher Studio).
Exhibition curated by Caleb Eick and Lisa H. Hall. This exhibition was made possible by research compiled by Tony Hall and the Lake George Mirror and through the kind partnership of the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton. Images in this exhibit come from The Sembrich Collection and the Thatcher Archive at the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton. All photos from the Thatcher Archive are used with permission from the Historical Society of the Town of Bolton.
The Marcella Sembrich Memorial Association honors international opera singer Marcella Sembrich at her former teaching studio and woodland retreat on Lake George. Our mission is to: preserve and protect the museum collection, historical significance and legacy of Marcella Sembrich; foster an appreciation for classical music, opera and the arts; provide educational and performance opportunities to promote the study of classical music.
Listed on the National Historic Register, The Sembrich was once part of the summer estate of Polish-American opera singer Marcella Sembrich (1857-1935), a leading prima donna at The Metropolitan Opera and head of the voice faculties for the Juilliard School and The Curtis Institute of Music. Sembrich spent summers on Lake George in upstate New York, bringing her students to study with her and enjoy the Adirondack mountain landscape.
Following her death in 1935, Sembrich’s teaching studio was preserved as a museum displaying her legacy, her contributions to the world of music, and exhibits relating to local and musical history. Step into America’s “Gilded Age” and explore our museum and historic studio. This unique building is one of a few from the early twentieth century in northern New York that is open to the public.
The Sembrich rests along Lake George’s pristine shoreline among the natural beauty of the Adirondack forests. With over four acres to discover, you can learn about the Adirondack Mountains and the “Queen of America’s Lakes” as you stroll along 1000 feet of shoreline paths under the towering pines.
Each summer The Sembrich presents an annual festival including live concerts, films, children’s programming, and lectures featuring world-class musicians and scholars. Events include a variety of music ranging from classical to contemporary as well as vocal and instrumental. Many performances are intimate and held in the museum and other larger events are held under our tent on the shore of the lake.
