History of Mohonk Consultations

Mohonk Consultations was founded in 1980 by the late A. Keith Smiley (1910-2001). Keith was in the third generation of the Smiley family that established Mohonk Mountain House in 1869. Since then Mohonk has served as a gathering place for those seeking solutions to global, national and local problems.

The beauty of the natural surroundings of Mohonk, along with the Quaker tradition of peaceful inclusiveness, has provided a unique atmosphere for the useful exchange of ideas. Some Mohonk conferences have significantly influenced public policy. One example was a series of International Arbitration Conferences in the early 1900s, which contributed to the formation of the United Nations.

Mohonk Consultations itself had its beginnings in the International Affairs Committee of The Mohonk Trust (TMT). In 1978, TMT was re-designated as the  Mohonk Preserve . Established by the Smiley family in 1963, the Preserve provides stewardship of the Shawangunk Ridge, while maintaining the family’s interests in social and environmental issues. Keith Smiley and Helen Vukasin led the Committee’s pioneering work in foreign student programs and international development, which included interactions with the United Nations.

Helen Vukasin, shown here with A. Keith Smiley, worked with him since 1976,
first under the Mohonk Preserve, International Affairs Committee, then with CODEL
(Coordination in Development), in New York. She is a founding member of the
Board of Mohonk Consultations, and chaired the Board 1995-2001.

In 1980, Keith decided to continue this work through a separate not-for-profit corporation. His idea included carrying forward a Mohonk conference tradition that incorporated a diversity of perspectives; helping to maintain the quality of life in the Hudson Valley; and using a more democratic procedure that involved including decision-makers in carrying out the projects they plan.

A trailblazer in every sense, as well as rock climber, defender of the Shawangunks,
cultural historian, preservationist and advocate for all living creatures,
Bob Larson earned our 2008 Environmental Distinguished Achievement. Shown here
with his wife, Barbara Rubin.

Highlights of Mohonk Consultations over nearly 30 years have included a wide span of topics and people, consultations with business, government and education leaders to help revitalize the Hudson Valley (1980s) collaborations with local colleges on social and environmental projects, including an Environmental Telephone Hotline (1980s – present) dialogues between local farmers and their communities to preserve family farms (1980s) the creation of a model farm in 1994 to demonstrate sustainable agriculture, the Phillies Bridge farm using Community Supported Agriculture (this CSA is now independent of MC) and the A. Keith Smiley Ecology Series. Conferences on issues vital to the Hudson Valley, from environmental values and crime prevention, to controlling sprawl and protecting fresh water (1994-present) an annual Environmental Distinguished Achievement Award that has recognized the outstanding work and value of over 40 individuals and organizations in a four-country region of the mid-Hudson River Valley (1984 – present).

We continue the Mohonk Consultations’ early mission that “incorporates the principles of the Mohonk tradition of fostering reconciliation between people of different cultures and countries, as well as between people and their natural surrounds, and of providing an atmosphere and forum for open discussion and problem resolution.”

Albert K. Smiley’s late 19th century vision that

Eminent men and women shall meet at Mohonk to discuss great national and international questions that pertain to the betterment of the world…

… became Keith Smiley’s late 20th century mission for Mohonk Consultations

To bring people of diverse perspectives to Mohonk to discuss practical means to sustain the Earth’s resources, including people.