John S. Apperson Jr.
(1878-1963)
A Virginia native and college dropout, John “Appy” Apperson relocated to Schenectady in 1899, eventually landing a job as an electrical engineer at General Electric, where he worked for 47 years.
Paul A. Schaefer
(1908-1996)
Grassroots Activism and the American Wilderness: Pioneers in the 20th Century Adirondack Park Conservation Movement” highlights the remarkable careers of John Apperson and Paul Schaefer, two citizen activists who were dedicated to preserving the Adirondacks and New York’s Forest Preserve. This
exhibit focuses on their early forays into political activism. Indefatigable, determined, and politically astute, Apperson and Schaefer prompted a national dialogue around preserving wilderness for future generations. They are now remembered as giants of the conservation movement.