Spring into Spring with Enchanting Catskills People & Places
Purple Mountain Press is proud to announce the publication of Peter Pan in the Catskills and Other Historical Essays, a delightful collection that evokes the magic of the region, from Rip Van Winkle to Maude Adams’s “Peter Pan.”
This engaging and beautifully illustrated volume celebrates all that is extraordinary about the Catskill Mountains. In 33 essays, by 28 writers, we dig deep into Catskills culture and history, bringing to light fossils, flora, and fauna, as well as art, railroads, baseball, and so much else.
Selected and with an introduction by renowned Catskills writer Bill Birns, Peter Panin the Catskills is the first original title issued by PMP since its new owners took over in January of 2025. The essays originally appeared in the esteemed journal Catskill Tri-County Historical Views. A portion of the profits from its publication supports the Gilboa Museum.
Book Details
Title: Peter Pan in the Catskills and Other Historical Essays
Editor: Bill Birns
Publication: March 2026
Format: Paperback; Color Illustrations Throughout
Page Count: 264
Price: $30
ISBN: 978-0-916346-90-4
A Sampling of Titles/Topics
“Rip Van Winkle at 200,” by Vernon Benjamin, relates how “Rip” first came to be through the hand of Washington Irving and its enduring legacy.
The titular essay, “Peter Pan in the Catskills: Maude Adams, Actress,” by Elisabeth Henry, explores the fascinating theatrical history of Peter Pan and the role played by the Catskills High Peaks in its success.
“Freddy Goes to Roxbury” by Michael Cart looks at author/illustrator Walter R. Brooks’s beloved children’s book character, Freddy the Pig.
“Bluebirds, the Catskills & John Burroughs” by Ed Renehan, Jr. describes our Catskills bard at the dawn of his writing career.
“FDR and the Catskills” by the volume’s editor, Bill Birns, offers up some of the area’s presidential history.
Purple Mountain Press is proud to announce the publication of Peter Pan in the Catskills and Other Historical Essays, a delightful collection that evokes the magic of the region, from Rip Van Winkle to Maude Adams’s “Peter Pan.” 