Inception of Trudeau Village as Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium

Trudeau Village began in 1884, when Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau established the Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium—commonly known as “The San”—as a place dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis.

After being diagnosed with the disease himself, Dr. Trudeau found that time spent in the Adirondacks—hunting, fishing, and breathing the fresh mountain air—brought relief from his symptoms and a sense of renewal away from the pace of New York City.

Inspired by this experience, he created a sanatorium modeled after similar institutions in Switzerland, offering patients a setting where rest, fresh air, and nature played a central role in recovery.

Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau Chooses the Site

Just one mile from the center of the village of Saranac Lake, Dr. Trudeau selected a location where patients could fully engage in what was known as “the cure” for tuberculosis—personalized care, rest, and extended time in the fresh Adirondack air.

He chose this particular site for its natural advantages, including its views, prevailing winds, and peaceful, pastoral setting—qualities he believed were essential to healing.

Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau Funds Creation of the Site

In Dr. Trudeau’s vision, The San would provide care to all patients, regardless of wealth. To bring this vision to life, he raised funds through a combination of personal connections and broader community support.

Early contributions came from wealthy acquaintances, several of whom had built camps nearby. Over time, additional support came from patrons who chose to honor loved ones who had been treated at The San.

Many physicians and staff also contributed to this mission, generously offering their services without pay.

Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau’s Building Designs

Funded by the Jenks family of Philadelphia, The San began in 1885 with its first cottage, “Little Red”—a modest structure designed to house two sisters who were factory workers from New York City.

Rooted in the concept of the “rest cure,” which emphasized fresh air and extended periods of rest, Little Red was built as a 14 × 18 foot cottage for $350. It featured a small porch where one patient at a time could recline outdoors, taking in the fresh Adirondack air.

This design element—later known as the “cure porch”—became a defining architectural feature throughout The San. As the institution grew, cure porches expanded in size, often spanning the full width of building facades and creating open, communal spaces for rest and recovery.

As interest in the cure spread, Saranac Lake emerged as a center for tuberculosis treatment. Those who could not be accommodated at The San, or who sought a more private experience, stayed in nearby homes designed with similar features, including the now-iconic cure porches.

Today, these Victorian-era homes remain throughout the region, with front-facing porches that continue to reflect this legacy of rest, fresh air, and community.

Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau’s Approach to Practicing Medicine

Integral to his version of the cure, Dr. Trudeau believed that a positive outlook was essential to
healing. Thus, the San became a hub of activity and socializing for those who were able,
including communal meals, parties and holiday festivals and daily handwork activities. Indeed,
The San is known as the U.S. birthplace for occupational therapy.

Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau Continues Researching

While treating patients and raising funds to support The San, Dr. Trudeau remained deeply committed to medical research. In 1884, he established the first laboratory in the United States dedicated to original research in tuberculosis.

His work quickly gained international recognition, establishing him as a leading authority on the disease. With the support of staff, visiting scientists, and physicians, he expanded his efforts in 1894 by founding a laboratory focused on the study of infectious diseases.

Dr. Trudeau became a major force in the public fight against tuberculosis and played a key role in shaping national efforts to understand and prevent the disease. He was a founding member of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis (now the American Lung Association) and the American Sanatorium Association (now the American Thoracic Society).

American Thoracic Society

As Dr. Trudeau’s work gained national recognition, his efforts extended beyond The San and into the broader medical community.

He played a key role in the founding of the American Sanatorium Association—now known as the American Thoracic Society—an organization dedicated to advancing the study, treatment, and prevention of respiratory disease.

Through this work, Dr. Trudeau helped shape a coordinated, national response to tuberculosis, ensuring that research, care, and knowledge would continue to evolve well beyond the Adirondacks.

The Passing of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau

Following Dr. Trudeau’s passing in 1915, the sanatorium and its research laboratory continued the work he had begun, carrying his mission forward into the early decades of the 20th century.

Over the next fifty years, The San remained a leading center for the treatment of tuberculosis. Patients traveled to Saranac Lake from across the United States and around the world, including Norway, Cuba, Italy, Spain, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Philippines

Those who came represented a wide range of backgrounds—from bankers, postmasters, housewives, taxi drivers, entertainers, miners, Norwegian sailors, and children to doctors, nurses, allied health workers, laundry workers, ministers, priests, professors, architects, European immigrants, farmers, and many others—reflecting Dr. Trudeau’s enduring vision of accessible care for people from all walks of life.

The Sanatorium Closure and Subsequent Sales

The Sanatorium closed on December 1, 1954, following the discovery and widespread use of antibiotic treatments for tuberculosis—marking the end of an era in which fresh air and rest had been the cornerstone of care. In 1957, the Trudeau family sold the property to the American Management Association. Proceeds from the sale were reinvested into a new medical research facility, the Trudeau Institute, built on Lower Saranac Lake. Opening in 1964, the Institute continues to contribute to the advancement of research in immunity and infectious disease.

In 2019, Cure Cottage Development acquired the property from the American Management Association, becoming only the third steward of this historic site in over 125 years. While some structures were lost over time, many remain intact and in remarkably good condition—offering a rare opportunity to thoughtfully preserve, reimagine, and continue the legacy of this once groundbreaking campus.

The Property Changes Hands

In 1957, the Trudeau family sold the property to the American Management Association, marking a new chapter in the site’s history. While its original role as a tuberculosis treatment center had come to an end, the property continued to serve a broader purpose—transitioning from a place of healing into one of learning, gathering, and ongoing use within the community.

The Trudeau Institute

The proceeds from the sale of the property were reinvested into a new medical research facility, the Trudeau Institute, built on Lower Saranac Lake. Opening in 1964, the Institute carried forward Dr. Trudeau’s mission—advancing the understanding and treatment of infectious disease through scientific research. Today, the Trudeau Institute continues to play a vital role in immunology and infectious disease research, extending the legacy of innovation and discovery that began with the original Sanatorium.

Cure Cottage Development

In 2019, Cure Cottage Development acquired the Sanatorium from the American Management Association, becoming only the third steward of this historic property in over 125 years. While some buildings were lost over time, many remain intact and in remarkably good condition—offering a rare opportunity to preserve and thoughtfully reimagine the site.

Today, the property is entering a new chapter—one that honors its rich history while embracing future possibilities. Through careful restoration and intentional development, Cure Cottage Development is working to revitalize the site as a place for community, creativity, and connection, ensuring that the spirit of Dr. Trudeau’s original vision continues for generations to come.

Community

Today, Trudeau Village and the surrounding Saranac Lake region continue to thrive as a vibrant hub of activity. Known as the “capital” of the Tri-Lakes region within the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, Saranac Lake blends natural beauty with a rich cultural and historic identity. With a year-round population of approximately 5,300 and nearly 200 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the area offers a unique balance of small-town charm and dynamic energy.

At the heart of it all, Trudeau Village is reemerging as a place to gather, create, and connect. From arts and dining to year-round outdoor recreation, the region continues to attract those seeking a lifestyle rooted in community, creativity, and the natural beauty of the Adirondacks—making it an ideal place to live, work, and experience all four seasons.