History:

1935-1936:

An increased interest in health and recreation programs, including the Winter Carnival, led students and the campus community to explore new ideas relating to outdoor activities.

1939:

Decision was made to purchase land in Brocton NY.

• Purchase of 120 acres through student fee ($3/year) in Alma Mater Society
• Deed to the Alumni Association
• Road built from Highway to elevation at 1,450 feet
• Science department started work as a biological preserve

1940-1941:

The camp committee planted 28,000 trees.

1941:

The main lodge was built (designed by R.S. Greganoff ,Fredonia ’13; built by H.F. Salhoff Lumber Company and volunteers) and was originally called “The Farm,” and then “The College Camp” after Leslie Gregory’s 1941 articulation of the objective of the camp and possible uses to promote health, education, and character building.

The main lodge itself was 100’ feet long, 56’ wide. The main room was 40 x 70. Over 50,000 feet of lumber was used in it's construction with hemlock exterior, knotty pine walls, and maple floors. The building was named the Herbert Mackie Camp after Dean of Men, who was a faculty member in art and industrial arts, later Dean and Director of Alumni. He oversaw the construction of the lodge and planting of 50,000 trees.

Objective: "Promotion of good health through the medium of the out-of-doors"

• Freshman Camp
• Alumni Summer Camps
• Biological studies
• Organized sports, skiing, tobogganing
• Public school educational programs
• Science tours
• Individual and group use

1969:

• Deeded to FSA
• FSA “has an obligation to manage the property in a manner most advantageous to the State University of New York College at Fredonia”
• FSA as steward of the property

FSA is a non-profit auxiliary that contributes significantly to the campus ($1.1 million 2013). FSA has managed the property for over 44 years.

1975:

A proposal for an Environmental Education Center was made which included advocacy for bans on hunting, trapping, and snowmobiling on the property. Involved: Willard Stanley (name on amphitheatre), Kevin Fox, John Glenzer, leaders from BOCES and Fredonia schools.

• Proposal by Richard Bunting and Allen Benton as an Environmental Education Center
• Planned inventory of species and survey of trails
• Hoped for grant funding
• Called for attention to facilities
• Urged curriculum development
• Addendum: advocated for recreation, camping, picnics, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, workshops (nature, historical crafts), in-service days, entertainment nights
• A program of forest management
• Thinning of the reforested areas
• Attention to the ponds
• Winterizing of the Lodge building
• Studies of possible public school uses

1989:

The sleeping lodge was built and can support up to 90 guests.

1999:

Ropes course rebuilt with 20+ events.

2005:

Constructed outdoor restroom and pavilion near ropes course.

2007-2008:

Gas wells installed to provide heating throughout both the sleeping and main lodge.

2009:

An additional 7.7 acres purchased on the corner of Rt. 380 and Beech Hill Rd. which increased the total property to over 200 acres.

2010:

A wind power project was proposed by the Class of 1959 and a donation of $10,000 was received.  The much appreciated donation covered about 20% of the cost of the two 6kW windmills.  The windmills were projected to decrease electricity usage up to 50% and create up to 60% in savings if the lodge is released from demand pricing by the utility company.  In order to be released from demand pricing, peak usage must remain below a target level for one consecutive year.

2011:

Constructed outdoor restroom on the athletics field.

2015:

After multiple storms brought down the windmills a solar array was added to the Lodge property to produce electricity.