He and other members of the Goldman-Sachs families had been frequenting Keene Valley for many years and the house Dr. Sachs owned still stands north of the Libby Sachs Cottage, which he is said to have built for a wedding present for his daughter, Elizabeth. He conceived it to compliment the Sachs Camp, combining Adirondack camp style with influences of the arts and crafts movement. It was sided with shingles, utilized native stone, had many entries and exits and displayed the craftsmanship of local skilled workmen.

At the heart of the cottage is a spacious and beautifully proportioned living room with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings and a large stone fireplace. Three sets of French doors open, with dramatic effect, to a terrace that utilizes the same local Adirondack stone as the fireplace. Additional French doors and divided light windows contribute to the personality of the room while solid wood beadboard paneling cover the ceiling and walls, lending warmth and character to this lovely room.

The bedrooms and baths are located off halls on either side of the living room. Off the south hall is a cozy bedroom with beadboard paneling, an original porcelain sink and its very own exterior door opening to the large southern deck. Down the hall is a shelf-lined study which leads to a bath and a spacious master bedroom with beadboard ceiling and walls, a brick fireplace, an original porcelain sink and a door to the stone terrace. On the other side of the living room are a full bath and two bedrooms; one with a stone fireplace and another with three modern windows and a door leading to the stone terrace.

The house began being used year round at the time of the 1980 Olympics. Soon after, the kitchen/dining area was renovated and a large room was added beyond it, on the east side of the building. This room is closest to the driveway and has patio doors which provide entry or exit over a stone path and stairs. It serves as a "mud room", accommodating a washer/dryer and all the sporting equipment and outdoor clothing accompanying year round life in the Adirondacks. The kitchen/dining area is divided by a half wall. The kitchen has custom cabinets and counters, as well as a gas stove, a dishwasher and other contemporary appliances. The spacious dining area seats 8 - 10 people, has hardwood floors, beadboard paneling, antique lights and a door opening, not only to the mud room, but to a large deck and lawn on the south of the cottage.

Recreational and cultural opportunities are close at hand. The Mossey Cascade trail is just out the door, with Giant Mountain and the "Forever Wild" Giant Wilderness area beyond. Other hiking and cross country ski trails are only five minutes away and life in Keene includes concerts, lectures and good dining. One can always cast further afield for events and activities in villages nearby, but the best part of living at the Libby Sachs Cottage is that you don't need to leave your yard to enjoy some of the most pleasurable aspects of life in the Adirondacks. There are decks and terraces for reading, sunning or entertaining. At any moment, you can stroll across the expansive lawn through a more wooded area to the clear waters of the AuSable River to fish, swim, toss pebbles with children or help them build dams. One of the most charming amenities at the cottage is a simple fire pit, built up against a great boulder on the far side of the south lawn where you and your family or guests can roast marshmellows, make S'mores and fill the air with laughter and song.

Libby Sachs Cottage is about 20 miles to Lake Placid with its Olympic venues, quaint shops and fine dining. Skiing at Whiteface Mountain is also close by. Lake Champlain and the ferries to Vermont are less than an hour's drive. International airports at Albany, New York, Burlington, Vermont and Montreal are all within a two hour drive, while Plattsburgh International Airport is only an hour away.

Keene Valley, New York $299,000

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