welcome

SLCHA is a member of the St Lawrence International Partnership, a group of museums along the St Lawrence River in the US and Canada. Visit their website to request a SLIP Passport, which offers discounts at the museums.

The Silas Wright House Museum is accreditated by the American Alliance of Museums

This website is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, A State Agency

Books Wanted for SLCHA's Used Book Bonanza

Are you looking for a good home for your gently used books? Do you want to share with your neighbors some of the great stories that are collecting dust on your shelves? Do you need to make more space for books you haven't gotten yet, but won't be able to live without once you find them? Do you just need to lighten your load? If any of this sounds familiar, don't worry because the St Lawrence County Historical Association can help you out of your predicament! Donate your books to the St Lawrence County Historical Association's Used Book Bonanza. The Used Book Bonanza will be held at the historical association's home, the Silas Wright House, 3 East Main Street, Canton, during St Lawrence County Dairy Festival Weekend, Friday, May 31st, noon-8 pm and Saturday, June 1st 10 am-4 pm. More…

2013 Miniatures

Bayside Lodge

Zion Episcopal Church, Colton

Morristown Ferry

Thanks to the efforts of Marty Pierce, the Historical Association is delighted to offer 3 new miniatures this year – the Bayside Lodge in Potsdam, Colton's Zion Episcopal Church, and the Morristown-Brockville Ferry "John Webster".

Bayside Lodge, Potsdam

The unique Bayside Lodge was built in 1901 at the entrance to Potsdam's Bayside Cemetery. The Clarkson family donated Potsdam sandstone from their quarry, and many skilled masons and stonecutters donated their labor in constructing the lodge. The Lodge served for many years as the residence for the cemetery sexton.

Zion Episcopal Church, Colton

The Gothic-style church was built in 1883-1884 as a memorial to Mrs Elizabeth Clarkson, mother of Thomas, Elizabeth and Lavinia Clarkson of Potsdam. The Clarkson family donated Potsdam sandstone from their quarry, and the native oak used in the interior and pews of the church was turned out by the Cook and Hawley mill in Colton. The architect for the project was JP Johnson of Ogdensburg.

Morristown-Brockville Ferry "John Webster"

The ferry John Webster was built during the 1916-1917 season by the St Lawrence Boat Works in Morristown. Commissioned by the Brockville and Morristown Transportation Company, the John Webster was constructed entirely of wood. Designed mainly for passengers and with room for only a few automobiles, the John Webster could not keep up with the ever-increasing demand for ferrying cars. So in 1919, John Webster was sold to the Port Huron and Sarnia Ferry Company in Michigan.

The cost of the buildings is $30 for the complete 2012 set, or $12 each for individual buildings. A limited number of previous years' miniatures are also available in the Museum Shop; please check for availability.

Downtown Village of Canton Reconstruction

NYSDOT is progressing the design of a highway project on US Route 11 through the Village of Canton in St Lawrence County. The 1.0 mile project begins at the intersection of Route 68 and continues north to the intersection with Stiles Avenue. The objectives of the project are to improve pavement conditions and storm drainage, to correct existing and emerging operational problems and safety related deficiencies, as well as to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.

Construction began in Spring 2012, and is expected to be completed in Fall 2013. We will remain open during Main Street / Route 11 reconstruction. Parking will continue to be avaliable behind Silas Wright House and can be accessed from Court Street.

Civil War Sesquicentennial

150 years ago this month:

• May 1, 1863 - 3rd Session, 1st Confederate Congress, adjourns; battle of Port Gibson (Mississippi) (Vicksburg Campaign); battle of Chancellorsville (Virginia) (to the 4th)
• May 1, 1863 - Major John Curtis Gilmore earned the Medal of Honor when he "Seized the colors of his regiment and gallantly rallied his men under a very severe fire"
• May 6, 1863 - 60th NY, 16th NY, and Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock River at Four Points (VA). The individual Generals did not have strategic Plan orders until across river.
• May 12, 1863 - Battle of Raymond (Mississippi) (Vicksburg Campaign)
• May 12, 1863 - 92nd still at Fort Anderson (NC), rest of the brigade left for Plymouth, VA.
• May 14, 1863 - Battle of Jackson (Mississippi) (Vicksburg Campaign)
• May 16, 1863 - Battle of Champion Hill (Mississippi) (Vicksburg Campaign)
• May 17, 1863 - Battle of Big Black River Bridge (Mississippi)(Vicksburg Campaign)
• May 18, 1863 - Vicksburg, Mississippi, siege begins (to July 4)
• May 19, 1863 - 1st Vicksburg assault by Union
• May 19, 1863 - Captain John Haddock, formerly connected with the St. Lawrence Republican, has been discharged from US service for violating the sovereignty of a friendly power in arresting a deserter in Canada.
• May 20, 1863 - 16th Regiment in Albany, NY (May 14th) to Muster out. Captain Wood not dead as reported, he is prisoner at Richmond.
• May 21, 1863 - Port Hudson, Louisiana, siege begins (to July 8)
• May 22, 1863 - 2nd Union assault at Vicksburg, Mississippi
• May 24, 1863 - Black regiment, 54th Massachusetts, soon to conduct active service.
• May 27, 1863 - 1st Union assault at Port Hudson, Louisiana

Events in bold are St Lawrence County events