LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Mohonk Mountain House upon the
occasion of celebrating its 140th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the mile-
stones of those exceptional recreational facilities which have positive-
ly impacted their communities and are a crucial element in the economy
of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the Mohonk Mountain House upon the occasion of celebrating its
140th Anniversary 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; its prominent location in the town of
New Paltz is just beyond the southern border of the Catskill Mountains
on the western side of the Hudson River; two important policy confer-
ences of domestic and international significance have taken place at the
hotel; and
WHEREAS, The Mohonk Mountain House has hosted many famous visitors
over the years, such as industrialist John D. Rockefeller, naturalist
John Burroughs, industrialist Andrew Carnegie, and American presidents
Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Ches-
ter A. Arthur; former First Lady Julia Grant 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, have also
stayed there; and
WHEREAS, The historic resort is located on the shore of Lake Mohonk,
which is half of a mile long and 60 feet deep; the main structure, which
was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, was built by Quaker
twin brothers Albert and Alfred Smiley between 1879 and 1910; it has 266
guest rooms, including 28 tower rooms, an indoor pool and spa, and an
outdoor ice-skating rink for winter use; and
WHEREAS, The picturesque setting of the resort on the lake was once
featured in an original picture print by Currier & Ives; Mohonk means
"lake in the sky" in the native American Indian language; and
WHEREAS, The property has been owned and operated by descendants of
the Smiley brothers since 1869; it consists of 2,200 acres and much of
it is landscaped with meadows and gardens; the property adjoins 6,400
acres of the Mohonk Preserve, which is crisscrossed by 85 miles of
hiking trails and carriage roads; and
WHEREAS, Bert Smiley, the great-grand-nephew of founder Albert Smiley,
currently serves as the fourth generation president of the Victorian
castle resort; throughout the years, Mohonk Mountain House has managed
to maintain its 19th century charm while introducing amenities of the
21st century; and
WHEREAS, The Smiley Family conveyed portions of their property into
the Preserve; they have received awards for the stewardship of their
land and their early environmental awareness; a reciprocal agreement
allows Preserve members and day visitors to visit the resort grounds,
and there is a network of well-maintained trails that visitors can
follow in all seasons; and
WHEREAS, Resort guests may participate in many activities, such as:
horseback riding, playing golf, tennis, croquet, or shuffleboard; boat-
ing on the lake; touring a historic barn and greenhouse; taking a
carriage ride; swimming or fishing; receiving a spa treatment; visiting
the fitness center; attending concerts and lectures; and hiking mountain
trails, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the success of the Mohonk Mountain House and recognizes its
contributions to the local and State economies, fully confident that it
will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus
far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Mohonk Mountain House upon the occasion of celebrating
its 140th Anniversary; 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.