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The Gardiner-Doing Camp in the Adirondacks — 8 Comments

  1. hello,

    I believe we spoke some years ago, as you might have been working on this book. I might have met you at City and Country School? We may have spoke about not only the Rhythms work, but also about “camps” as my grandfather ran a camp in Kinderhook, NY near Chatham froom 1920s to 1960. I am collecting my mother’s and Sylvia Miller’s archives on Rhythms for a book. I have been a Rhythms teacher for 35 years and a dancer/performer. I wonder whether we could speak.

    All the best,

    Kate t. Morgan

  2. Dear Kate,

    Thanks so much for writing. I’m thrilled to hear from you, although I must confess, I don’t recall speaking with you (or anyone) previously about the camps or about Rhythms. I did hear from Sylvia Miller via her daughter, who contacted me through Andrea’s website, but that would have been over a decade ago, and I put her in touch with Andrea’s own daughter Deb Callahan. I would be happy to speak with you about it and/or put you in touch with Deb as well. I have removed your phone number from your published post in the interest of keeping the “spammers” away from you, but I will contact you directly and see what our best next step is. Your book sounds wonderful, and I’m so glad you’re working on it!

    Take good care and thanks again,
    Paul

  3. I’ve been researching the woodworker Wharton Esherick who visited the camp, at the suggestion of the writer Sherwood Anderson, in 1920. At that time, the camp was on Upper Lake Chateaugay. If you’re interested in seeing some pictures of it at that time, the book “Wharton Esherick and the Birth of the American Modern” has a number of them. Esherick also did woodcuts of Gail Gardner’s house (the spelling is Gardner I believe), and several prints of dancers that were used on promotional material in the 1920s. Additionally, Esherick made furniture for the camp and a large sculpture which is on display at the Wharton Esherick Museum in Paoli PA. Esherick designed a large trestle table that has carvings that were made by people there who made designs based on what they envisioned various pieces of music “looked like”. That table, made in 1924, is now at the Threefold Educational Center in New Jersey. The center is part of the original Threefold Commonwealth Group, the first US outpost of Rudolph Steiners Anthroposophy (it began in NYC but this was where they grew their produce). It’s a great artifact from that time in Lake Chateaugay. It is a twelve foot long table most likely used in the dining hall. There are two smaller tables that Esherick made that are at the Wharton Esherick Museum. I’m not sure of the date that the camp moved to Upper St. Regis.

  4. This is wonderful, Mark, and thanks so much for sharing! Andrea and Belle always spelled Gail’s last name as “Gardner,” but I found so many other websites misspelling it as “Gardiner.” I caved to that misinformation, something I no longer will do. I would rather post about what they recall and not take “expert” opinions when they weren’t there and don’t know what they’re talking about (despite reptutation). “Gardner” it is! And you should see how many variants there are on the web for “Doing.” I’m thrilled to see this photo of them together. Belle and Andrea adored these ladies. Free spirits, free thinkers, and generous, fascinating people.

  5. Thank you so much for sharing! I wonder if you happen to have any more information about Olga Mendoza who was associated with Gardner-Doing since 1916. Olga died in 1946, and I am interested in any findings about her. Many thanks and best wishes.

  6. Sorry for the late response, Petra, and thank you for your comments and question. I don’t have further information about Olga Mendoza, but hopefully someone who reads this will. Best wishes on your search, and thank you again.

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