Upper Works Trail Head Revitalization

Tahawus, New York

As the southern access point to the High Peaks Wilderness, The Upper Works is a historic and unique starting point for hikers looking for a different experience to more northern trailheads. The property includes the abandoned town of Tawhaus which is still alive with interpretation and visitors to the Upper Works Trail Heads. AJA was hired by Open Space Institute to develop a phased plan with their team on different areas of the upper works property starting in 2020 and aiming for completion in 2024.

Wayfinding signage –

The Upper Works is sprinkled with interpretation signage discussing the history of the blast furnace, important figures, and the town of Tawhaus, but the site was lacking in wayfinding signage. AJA’s in-house graphic design team designed new unique wayfinding signage for the different trailheads that were installed in 2021.

MacNaughton Cottage Renovation – 

Since 2020 AJA has also been working on renovation plans for the historic MacNaughton Cottage which is one of the last remaining buildings from Tawhaus. The reason the cottage still exists while other Tawhas properties have diminished over time is largely due to its historical connection with a mostly true legend of the American Presidency. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt and his family were staying at MacNaughton Cottage, as guests of the Tahawus Club in September 1901, when he received news of President McKinley’s assassination attempt. Although McKinney was recovering Roosevelt hurried in an overnight carriage ride from Tahawus to the train station at North Creek, where he arrived at dawn and learned that McKinley had died, and he would be President. The life of MacNaughton Cottage first housed iron mine owners, later caretakers of the abandoned village, then members of a hunting club, and finally miners working at a nearby 20th-century titanium mine. AJA has been working closely with OSI and the town of Newcomb to bring the exterior of Macnaughton Cottage back to life. From interior structural stabilization, design concepts for future use by the town of Newcomb, and exterior color research with a historical consultant. The exterior of MacNaughton will be revitalized with the addition of new windows and doors, siding and trim, and the reconstruction of the wrap-around porch that had collapsed. Phase 1 construction is currently underway and Phase 2 exterior work is aiming to be completed in 2024. OSI and AJA hope these renovations help preserve the cottage for future generations to be able to enjoy.