World of Golden Memories Found at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum

World of Golden Memories Found at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum

LAKE PLACID — What does it mean to be at the heart of Lake Placid? That’s a subjective question, and one with many possible answers. After visiting nearly two dozen of the Olympic region’s most iconic sites, trails, and attractions for the Visiting Lake Placid Column, I humbly suggest this: the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Conveniently, this week’s feature is dedicated to this must-see destination.

The museum, operated by the state Olympic Regional Development Authority, is located inside the Olympic Center at 2634 Main St. It first opened in its current location in 1994 and celebrates the history of Lake Placid’s two Olympic Winter Games—1932 and 1980.

Visiting the Museum

To enter the museum, head to the first floor of the Olympic Center’s Miracle Plaza. The entrance is above the corner of Main Street and Cummings Road, with a check-in desk on the right. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+), teens (7-19), students with I.D., and military members; $10 per person for groups of 10 or more. Children under 6 get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the desk or online in advance at tinyurl.com/3cyx3a9r.

What to Expect Inside

Once inside, the museum’s exhibits take visitors on a chronological journey through the history of the Olympic Games. The first section delves into the origins of the Games, starting with the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

The next area highlights Lake Placid’s early history as a small community in the Adirondack Mountains. It explores how the town, led by Godfrey Dewey, won the bid to host the 1932 Winter Games, and how the community rallied behind the infrastructure efforts during the Great Depression.

The exhibit then shifts to the 1932 Winter Games, with displays dedicated to the sports, athletes, and sites that defined the event.

Olympic Dreams and Grit

The museum also showcases the skill, preparation, and dedication it takes to become an Olympian. One of the interactive highlights is a fixed bobsled "run" that simulates the experience of speeding down the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run, complete with video monitors.

There’s also an exhibit that features local Olympic athletes and information on the rigorous demands Olympians face in terms of nutrition, travel, and training.

Artwork and Design

As visitors move through the museum, they encounter an entire section dedicated to the artwork and design that helps define each Olympic Games. This room is filled with artwork, pins, fashion, medals, and torches from around the world, including original design prints from the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. One wall showcases over 800 collectible Olympic pins, popular among participants and fans alike.

A Legacy Still Alive

The final exhibit area emphasizes the lasting legacy of Lake Placid’s Olympic venues. Unlike many past Olympic sites that fall into disrepair, Lake Placid's venues remain in active use, maintained by ORDA, and are open to the public for both athletic events and tourism.

Plan Your Visit

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is self-paced, but it’s recommended that visitors allocate at least an hour to explore the exhibits, or two hours to fully appreciate the extensive collection of history. Guided tours are available upon request. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit tinyurl.com/3n5a2kj9.