Over 25 years, TAUNY has recognized 129 individuals, groups, places, and events representing the vibrant array of traditions that make the North Country so special through our North Country Heritage Awards. TAUNY has searched the towns, villages, hamlets, back roads, woods, waterways and more of our remote corner of the world looking for those individuals, groups, and places that define and expand our cultural heritage. We hope you enjoy exploring these pages and learning about these fantastic people and places.

Stay tuned for updates about the upcoming opening of our North Country Living Traditions digital exhibit, which will share more about our award recipients both online and through a new permanent installation at The TAUNY Center.

In 2018-2019, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the North Country Heritage Awards with a variety of programs and other special features, as well as initiating the digital exhibit project.

Highlights included the 2019 exhibit “From Jamaica to Peru” and the 2018 Folklife Fair.

FROM JAMAICA TO PERU

April 13-October 26, 2019

In this photography-based exhibition, guest curator Ben Stechschulte explores the inextricable fortunes of TAUNY North Country Heritage Award recipient Forrence Orchards, in the northern Adirondacks, and the generations of Jamaican men who travel thousands of miles to work there each year. The project, based on Ben’s extensive fieldwork and documentation over the course of a recent production season, was originally published as an Adirondack Life Magazine feature in October 2017. The TAUNY Center exhibition offers an expanded presentation of photos along with video and selected objects reflecting the work and daily experience of the Forrence Orchard apple pickers.

TAUNY is pleased to present “From Jamaica to Peru” as part of this year’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the North Country Heritage Awards. Forrence Orchards received a TAUNY North Country Heritage Award in 2009 in recognition of the multi-generational ownership and operation of the orchard, which is itself an example of an important regional agricultural tradition. This exhibit offers a unique, in-depth look at the essential role the Jamaican apple pickers play in sustaining the orchard, and through that focus it offers insight on one of the main topics TAUNY is exploring through the 25th anniversary celebrations: the ever-dynamic balance of change and continuity in how deeply-rooted North Country traditions are carrying on. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the TAUNY Folklife Fair on October 28, 2018!

North Country Heritage Awards 25th Anniversary Program

 Since 1993, TAUNY’s North Country Heritage Awards has honored the people and places of our region committed to conservation of local traditions and community spaces. On the 25th anniversary of this popular program, TAUNY has published a reflection on the history of the program and a preview of its future. This publication includes essays about the program and photographs of all 129 recipients of the award to date.

Order the North Country Heritage Awards 25th Anniversary Program online here.