Admission:

History Tour: $22.00

History Tour & Lunch*: $48.95

*Extend your time with us and enjoy a meal in our historic, lakeside Dining Hall. Click below to register for this event and see the option to add a meal reservation. Advance registration required. Subject to availability.

Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks’ Traditional Arts Demonstrations are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts.

Demonstrations are included as a special segment of our daily History Tour, for a limited time only during the listed dates.

Join master artisan Helen Condon for a special braided rug demonstration celebrating one of America’s oldest domestic crafts.

With more than 50 years of experience, Helen carries forward a tradition she first learned at her grandmother’s side — transforming simple strips of fabric into beautifully braided works of art. During this engaging demonstration, she will share the history of rug braiding, explain the process of selecting and blending fabrics, and show how strips are cut, rolled, braided, and stitched into enduring designs.

Guests will also see examples of her distinctive braided baskets, adorned with feathers, fur, and other natural elements, making each piece truly one of a kind.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience traditional craftsmanship up close, ask questions, and gain insight into a timeless art form that blends resourcefulness, creativity, and heart.

Helen Condon

Rug braiding is a skill Helen learned at her grandmother’s side — and one she has lovingly carried forward ever since.

She began selling her rugs in 1976, sharing her remarkable eye for color and pattern with a wider audience. Her thoughtful blending of fabrics results in pieces that are both harmonious and striking. With the addition of feathers, fur, and other natural elements, her braided baskets become truly one-of-a-kind works of art. Helen also makes custom rugs on commission in her studio.