Join us for a talk by local author Martin Hogue on his book Making Camp: A Visual History of Camping’s Most Essential Items and Activities. 

From the early days of recreational camping in the late nineteenth century through the multitude of modern camping options available today, Hogue explores the history and evolution of the popular activity through the lens of its most important and familiar components: the campsite, the campfire, the picnic table, the map, the tent, the sleeping bag, as well as the oft invisible systems for delivering water and managing trash. A perfect complement to the summer camping season, whether you’re into car camping, hike-in tent camping, bivouacking, mountaineering, RV camping, glamping, or backyard camping, Hogue’s presentation offers a comprehensive look at the origins of the practice and the ways that bring all enthusiasts together.

About the Author

Martin Hogue is a licensed architect and an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Cornell University. His most recent research focuses on camping culture in the United States, interrogating the discrepancies that exist between the deeply cherished American ideal of ruggedness and independence and the nearly 1 million designated camp-sites across the country. These efforts have resulted in two books, Thirtyfour Campgrounds (2016) and Making Camp (2023).