On August 20, 1825, Apollos Austin Smith was born in Milton, Vermont. Apollos eventually crossed Lake Champlain and made his way to the Adirondacks where he began to guide, as he enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing. Fellow guides began to call him, "Pol," and others mistakenly thought his nickname was "Paul", which it seems he happily accepted. Paul Smith became an entrepreneur starting with a small lodge called "Hunter's Home" then acquiring more land, building a hotel and continuing to build throughout his lifetime. He became quite the hotelier, catering to wealthy families who came to vacation in the Adirondacks.

When Paul's son, Phelps Smith, passed away, he left in his will that a college was to be established in memory of his father. That college is Paul Smith's College.

 

Paul Smith's College opened its doors in 1946, and is still going strong today.

Please join us to honor the birthday of Apollos "Paul" Smith by giving a gift in his memory. Your gift will help Paul Smith's College to continue to provide an amazing educational journey in the Adirondack Mountains to all those who seek it, as well as leave positive lasting effects on the world around us.