Lowville, Lewis County
Beaver Camp Quilt Auction
The Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association operates Beaver Camp as a year-round children’s camp in Lewis County. The Association represents eight long-established Mennonite church congregations from Croghan, Naumburg, New Bremen, Lowville, Woodville, and Watertown. Each June since 1973, the group has presented the Beaver Camp Auction at the fairgrounds, featuring traditional pieced and appliqued quilts made by local sewing circles and donated to raise funds for the camp. In addition, donated handmade furniture and crafts, antiques, plants, and even firewood are auctioned all day. Other local Mennonite traditions represented in the event include a celebrated chicken barbecue, pancake breakfast with maple syrup, various handcrafts, and a vast array of traditional bread, pies, and desserts. The Beaver Camp Auction has also served to encourage the continuation and revival of traditional Mennonite quilting and other local community customs.
Click and listen to the audio clips below to learn more about the Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association:
Richard Zehr & Arlene Yousey recall the use of German in the church until the 1930s.
Phyllis Lyndaker remembers quilting and knitting for relief efforts around the world.
Arlene reminisces about typical Sunday activities in their Mennonite home.