LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Mohonk
Mountain House

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those prominent institutions of the State of New York whose
focus and intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of life
in our communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 140th Anniversary of the Mohonk Mountain House, to be cele-
brated on Saturday, September 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Mohonk Mountain House, also known as Lake Mohonk Mountain
House, is a national historic landmark resort located on the Shawangunk
Ridge in Ulster County, New York; it is a well known location in the
town of New Paltz just beyond the southern border of the Catskill Moun-
tains on the western side of the Hudson River; and
WHEREAS, Important policy conferences of domestic and international
significance, a meeting of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the House
and Senate committees on Indian Affairs and the Lake Mohonk Conference
on International Arbitration, have taken place at the hotel; and
WHEREAS, The Mohonk Mountain House has hosted many famous visitors
over the years, among them industrialists John D. Rockefeller and Andrew
Carnegie; naturalist John Burroughs; and American presidents Theodore
Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Rutherford B. Hayes, Chester A. Arthur
and William Clinton; former First Lady Julia Grant; Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton; and religious leaders such as Rabbi Louis Finkelstein,
Reverend Ralph W. Sockman, and 'Abdu'l Baha', the eldest son of Baha'i
Faith founder Baha'u'llah, and numerous other officials, dignitaries and
people of note; and
WHEREAS, The historic resort is located on the shore of half mile long
Lake Mohonk; the main structure, which was designated a National Histor-
ic Landmark in 1986, was built by Quaker twin brothers Albert and Alfred
Smiley between 1879 and 1910; and currently comprises 266 guest rooms,
including 28 tower rooms, an indoor pool a new award-winning eco-friend-
ly spa, and an open air Pavilion ice-skating rink; and
WHEREAS, The property has been owned and operated by descendants of
the Smiley brothers since 1869; consists of 2,200 acres and much of it
is landscaped with meadows and gardens; adjoins 6,400 acres of the
Mohonk Preserve which is crisscrossed by 85 miles of hiking trails and
carriage roads; and
WHEREAS, The Smiley Family conveyed portions of their property into
the Preserve; have received awards for the stewardship of their land and
their early environmental awareness; and
WHEREAS, Since 1869, guests have found a peaceful retreat and an
opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature; the unique setting allows for
recreation and renewal of body, mind and spirit in the unique mountain-
top setting; a feeling of comfort, home and tranquility prevails at
Mohonk, where hospitality is art and the views are breathtaking; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, the Mohonk Mountain House's distin-
guished record merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this
Great State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Mohonk Mountain House; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bert Smiley, President of the Mohonk Mountain House.