Wiawaka Center for Women

Wiawaka Center for Women is a historic 60-acre retreat campus on Lake George’s east shore, with gardens, trails, a large dock and old lodging houses. Founded in 1903 for working women, it still offers day visits, workshops, retreats, scheduled tours and overnight stays. It calls itself the country’s oldest continuously operating women’s retreat.

Treat this as an arranged visit: day visits are offered, but guided tours are scheduled and grounds access can vary. Call ahead to ask what’s open and arrange your visit. Wiawaka operates seasonally, so confirm that a visit is available before making the drive. Meals are offered for a charge; check whether day visitors can join one.

The setting invites a slower lakeside visit: walk the gardens and trails, sit on a porch or take in the lake from the dock. Swimming access is part of the property, but ask what is available to day visitors. For a photo, the red boathouse framed by trees with the water behind it says more about Wiawaka than a shot of open water alone.

Mary Fuller opened the Holiday House in 1903 to give working women from Troy and Cohoes an affordable summer break. Its first summer brought 176 guests. Katrina Trask coined the name Wiawaka in 1905 and deeded Fuller the central eight acres and buildings in 1908.

Before the retreat, the property had resort history: Crosbyside Hotel was bought in 1902, and the United States Hotel stood here around 1850. The American Canoeing Association was also founded on the property, tying this quiet campus to Lake George’s early tourism years.

Wakonda Lodge was built in 1908 as a dormitory for Spencer Trask’s artists’ retreat, Amitola. Georgia O’Keeffe stayed in room 18. It is a good reminder that Wiawaka’s history reaches beyond its later role as a women’s retreat.