An exhibit at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum marks the first Olympic Winter Games, which were held at Chamonix, France, from Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, 1924. It also highlights Lake Placid speedskater Charles Jewtraw, who won the first-ever gold medal during those Olympics in the 500-meter race. His photo is shown here along with a reproduction of his gold medal. (News photo — Oliver Reil)

LAKE PLACID — The centennial of the first Olympic Winter Games is here, and Lake Placid institutions are preparing to celebrate.

“As an Olympic host city, we want to ensure that the next generation knows and feels Lake Placid and its history and heritage,” state Olympic Regional Development Authority Communications Director Darcy Norfolk said.

The first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France, featured 260 athletes between 16 teams over 16 events from Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, 1924.

ORDA is “working closely” with the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, Norfolk said. The museum is installing an exhibit panel this week that will focus on the history and origins of the Olympics prior to 1924, as well as the evolution of the games up to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.

Lake Placid has a rich Olympic history, going back to Charles Jewtraw, a local speedskater who won the first-ever gold medal for the Winter Olympics at Chamonix. The Adirondack region has sent an athlete to every Olympic Winter Games since.

This is Lake Placid speedskater Charles Jewtraw’s gold medal from the 1924 Olympic Winter Games at Chamonix, France, when it was on display at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. It was on loan from the Smithsonian Institution at the time and has been returned to Washington, D.C. A reproduction of this medal is now on display at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

Today, the village’s Olympic venues continue to host and train aspiring and active Olympians.

“What I like to point out, too, is that it’s pretty inspiring for future generations and students when they come to Lake Placid and they see all those local athletes, and then there’s also the possibility of them meeting their athletes,” Lake Placid Olympic Museum Director Courtney Bastian said.

From Jan. 25 to Feb. 5, the museum is running a social media campaign on its accounts focused on the 1924 Winter Olympics and how they relate to Lake Placid’s 1932 and 1980 games, in both sport and athletes.

On Feb. 17, the museum will be hosting a “See You in Paris” celebration. The 1924 Summer Olympics were held in Paris, and they will return there in July. For a $60 ticket, attendees can enjoy a wine tasting paired with chocolates, all from local vendors, and receive a “special gift.” All proceeds will benefit the museum and its programs and exhibits. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 9.

The museum has also created three new educational lesson plans for elementary, middle school and high school classes, available for free online. The lesson plans will have students learn Olympic history and reflect on the future of the games, exploring such topics as climate change, sustainability and “predicting the future.”

Here is a collecting card with the image of Lake Placid speedskater Charles Jewtraw in his 1924 Olympic uniform. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

The Lake Placid “Famous Five” speedskaters from 1923, from left, were James Sheffield (16), Jack Shea (12), Charles Jewtraw, Eugene Shea (10) and Carl Parody (14). (Photo courtesy of the Lake Placid Olympic Museum)

A monument dedicated to the memory of Lake Placid speedskater Charles Jewtraw, who won a gold medal at the 1924 Winter Olympics, is seen here in Jewtraw Park on Station Street, located on the shore of Mill Pond. Jewtraw used to practice and compete here at the Newman rink. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

Lake Placid speedskaters pose in 1919. From left are Charles Jewtraw, James Hennessey and Ray Bryant. (Provided photo — Lake Placid Olympic Museum)

This photo shows speedskating action on Mirror Lake during the International Outdoor Speed Skating Championships in February 1920. It was the first internationally sanctioned sporting event in Lake Placid. The Lake Placid Club buildings can be seen across the lake. Local athletes such as Charles Jewtraw competed in these races. (Photo provided — Lake Placid Olympic Museum)