Chipwick – Adirondack Great Camp on Lake George

Once in a lifetime opportunity to own a stunning ”Adirondack Great Camp’’ on the shores of Lake George. ”Chipwick,’’ a circa 1907 shingle style Queen Anne Victorian has been in the same family for nearly 100 years. Enjoy breathtaking views of the water and approx. 137’ of sandy shoreline. Property features the 5,366 sq ft house, historic boathouse w/ 2 docks, 2 story ’’shop,’’ and icehouse. Original details include 2 primary suites, 4 fireplaces, marble sinks, clawfoot tubs, stained glass, and hardwood floors. Swim at the beach, tour the lake by boat, or relax in the 3 season room. Close to Silver Bay Association and Ticonderoga Country Club. Property is in need of repairs/updates, sold as-is. Potentially eligible for the National Register. Step back in time, let your fairytale begin.

History

Historic Features/Room Descriptions

Chipwick is a stunning example of an Adirondack Great Camp. These camps were built to offer a rustic yet luxurious retreat for the gilded age elite. Circa 1907, it exemplifies the Queen Anne style of the time and includes an asymmetrical floor plan, two towers and a rounded porch overlooking the front lawn. Local stone was used in the foundation and the many pillars. The siding is cedar shingles, and the southeast portion of the roof has original slate. Each room features unique details that highlight its Rustic Adirondack style. The expansive living room has high unpainted baseboards and two stone fireplaces. The glass enclosed porch offers panoramic views of the lake and mountains beyond. The dining room in the southeast tower features views of the lake to the south and east through its many windows. An original stained glass window offers a warm golden light in the evening.  Some remaining wall paper reflects the arts and craft era. The kitchen has its original antique porcelain sink with drainboards and backsplash. There is a historic “laundry yard” off the kitchen. The spacious library is located on the first floor of the northeast tower. The round floor plan offers views to the west, north and east and a grand painted brick fireplace with an insert (unused). The library features floor to ceiling bookshelves and French doors. Six main bedrooms compose the main section of the 2nd floor, including two generously sized round primary bedrooms (unpainted) with high ceilings, that make up the towers and offer beautiful waterfront views. There are four additional bedrooms accessed by a back staircase in the servants’ quarters, one is currently being used as a bookroom. The upstairs bathrooms feature five original clawfoot tubs, four fitted for shower use plus one antique metal shower cabinet/stall. There are five marble sinks, and two antique original porcelain sinks in the bathrooms. 

Outbuildings

The ”shop,” consists of a one bay garage, workshop, woodshed and second floor storage area. It used to be connected to the main house by a breezeway.

The original ice house is built into the hill approximately 20’ outside of the kitchen. Lake ice was stored and used for keeping food cool in warm weather until the early 1930’s when an electric refrigerator was installed. The former ice house was then used as a root cellar. During WWII it was considered a bomb shelter. The east facing wall has cedar shingles, and there is no longer an insulated door. The original stone foundation/reinforcement exists. In the 1960’s a cinder block foundation was created for the three sides of the structure that is built into the hill and a reinforced cement roof installed. 

The original historic boathouse includes 2 docks.

History

Chipwick is rumored to be designed by renowned American architect Stanford White, a visitor to Hague and friends with notable summer residents of the time.

He was a partner in the firm McKim, Mead & White, one of the celebrated architectural practices of the late nineteenth century. He designed numerous influential civic, institutional, and religious buildings, as well as notable homes for American capitalists.

Only two families have lived at Chipwick. Both families have members who are historically notable. The first owners were the Weir/Alden family. Dr. Robert Fulton Weir commissioned the house to be built and is said to have been one of the most brilliant surgeons of his time. Dr. Weir traveled extensively and had the main house customized to showcase his Asian and European artifacts, a few still remain.  

The second family that lived at the property was the Raymond/ Dennett family. Maybelle Raymond Dennet, granddaughter to Benjamin Wright Raymond, who was 2 time mayor of Chicago and of Elgin Watch Company fame purchased the estate. Maybelle’s father was a renowned educator and author, George Lansing Raymond, 7 times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature.  He was a professor at Princeton, University, George Washington, and Williams College, his alma mater. 

The Raymond/Dennett family included Maybelle’s husband, Tyler Dennett, an historian, educator, government official, and writer who won the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 1934 for John Hay: From Poetry to Politics. He was a professor at Princeton, John’s Hopkins, and Columbia. He was also a former president of Williams College. When Tyler Dennett decided to resign from his role as President at Williams College, he and Maybelle retired to Chipwick year-round.

The spacious library on the first floor of the northeast tower was well suited to the Raymond/Dennett collection and Tyler’s continued writing.

To complete the Maybelle Raymond Dennett family tree at Lake George: after Maybelle and Tyler Dennett’s passing, their daughter, Audrey Dennett (Bullock O’Brien) purchased all shares from her 3 brothers and lived there summers and through her retirement. Two of Audrey’s daughters currently own Chipwick, their kids have lived in/loved Chipwick. All told, five generations, spanning nearly 100 years.

Special Events/Vacation Rental

In addition to use as a residence, the property has been used extensively for special events. It has been a vacation destination for decades that included rentals for family reunions, weddings, seasonal vacations, corporate conferences and retreats. 

Lake George

Known as the “Queen of America’s Lakes,” Lake George is 32 miles long and fed by a mammoth underground spring that gives the lake its crystal clear reputation. It is surrounded by the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw.”

https://www.boltonchamber.com/lake-george-news/lake-related/the-queen-american-lakes-lake-george-2770/

Nearby 

Gore Mountain – 52 min

Lake Placid – 1hr 30 min

Burlington, VT – 1hr 33 min

Albany International Airport 1hr 33 min

Saratoga Springs – 1 hr 3 min

More information on Adirondack Great Camps

https://visitadirondacks.com/what-to-do/great-camps

Details

Property ID
710025

10
Bedrooms

6.5
Bathrooms

Square Footage
5366

Lot Size
1.1

Year Built
1907

Style
Queen Anne

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