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SLCCHC September Brown Bag Presentation: Utilizing Canadian Databases for Genealogical Research

Join us Thursday, September 25, at 2:00 PM for our September Brown Bag Presentation!

Details:
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: In-person at 3 E. Main St., Canton, NY 13617 or virtually on Zoom (link will be e-mailed at registration)
Pricing: Cost of attendance is a $5 suggested donation, members are free.
Pre-registration is recommended.
Register online, call the main office at 315-386-8133, or e-mail carlene@slcha.org

As St. Lawrence County is just across the river from Canada, it is not surprising that families here have Canadian ancestors. For the past 7 years, Pamela Brant Wright has been researching the Wright family, who came to St. Lawrence County in 1815 from Canada. In the process, she has become very familiar with the resources available for genealogical research in Canada, particularly from 1770 to 1830.

In this Brown Bag Presentation, Pamela will discuss her experience utilizing sources like Canadian databases for genealogical research and original Canadian land documents. She will also go over some of the challenges associated with using Canadian sources and detail how to navigate two useful databases for finding Canadian ancestors.

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Read more about the article Exploring Falls Island Through Watercolors – Partnered Event

Exploring Falls Island Through Watercolors – Partnered Event

Come learn about the trees and geology of Heritage Park in Canton with artist Sara Lynch and Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Brad Pendergraft for the final installment of Sara’s Exploring Falls Island project on September 20th at 10:00 AM (rain date September 27th).

For the first hour of this event, participants will gather under the pavilion at Coakley Island, located on the Grasse River Heritage Trail. From there, we will walk the trail and learn from Brad about the trees and geologic features present on the island while collecting plants for artistic inspiration.

For the second hour, we will take the elements collected on our walk and head to the St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture at 3 East Main Street. There, we will have the opportunity to examine assorted rock and mineral specimens from their collection and use them, as well as the plants collected on the walk, to practice watercolor painting from observation.

This event is pay what you can, and participants must pre-register to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/falls-island-watercolor-explorations-tickets-1661692329489 

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Summer Stargazing in Potsdam, NY at Reynolds Observatory

Join SLCCHC Executive Director Carlene Bermann and Dr. Benjamin Roulston, Director of Reynolds Observatory, for an evening of stargazing in Potsdam, NY on July 25!

Details:
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Reynolds Observatory, 150 Hatch Rd., Potsdam, NY 13676
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Moore Trail Hike at Inlet

Join SLCCHC and Potsdam Pride for an adventure hike on Moore Trail on June 28 at 10:00 AM!

Details:
Date: June 28, 2025
Time: Starts at 10:00 AM
Locations: Inlet, NY and Wanakena, NY
Difficulty Level: Easy-Medium. This hike is approximately 2 miles of walking on relatively easy and flat terrain. There are some swampy areas along the trail.
Price: FREE
Registration Information: Contact Carlene Bermann at carlene@slcha.org or call the main office at (315) 386-8133. You may also register online.

This hike is part of the Pride Outside Series and runs from Inlet to Wanakena. It is approximately 2 miles one way, or 4 miles if you complete the entire route. The terrain is relatively easy and flat. However, there are some swampy areas along the trail. Those interested should ensure they wear waterproof shoes or shoes that can get wet, apply sunscreen and bug spray, and dress appropriately for hiking in the woods, as ticks are common this time of year.

The hike begins at Inlet and concludes in Wanakena. The tour will cover the general history of Inlet and Wanakena, which have long been popular recreational areas. Highlights include Sternberg’s Hotel in Inlet, which operated from approximately 1889 to 1940, and Knollwood, a historic private camp from the 1920s that features a beautiful suspension bridge. The history of nearby Star Lake and Benson Mines will also be discussed.

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SLCCHC June Brown Bag Presentation: Sally Svenson, author of “Adirondack Photographers, 1850-1950”

Join us Thursday, June 12, at 11:00 AM for our June Brown Bag Presentation!

Details:
Date: June 12, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: In-person at 3 E. Main St., Canton, NY 13617 or virtually on Zoom (link will be e-mailed at registration)
Pricing: Cost of attendance is a $5 suggested donation, members are free.
Pre-registration is recommended.
Register online, call the main office at 315-386-8133, or e-mail carlene@slcha.org

In this Brown Bag Presentation, author Sally Svenson will discuss her latest book, “Adirondack Photographers, 1850-1950,” published by Syracuse University Press in 2023.

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Sacred Sites Tour 2025

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton and St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture will host this year’s New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Open House on Saturday, May 17th, with…

“Early Mining in NY” Pomeroy Historic Marker Dedication (Rossie, NY)

Join the St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture on May 16 at 10:00 AM in Rossie, NY, for a dedication ceremony of a newly installed Pomeroy Historic Marker!

Details:

Date: May 16, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cost of attendance: Free
Total program time: Approx. 1 hr.
Location: 4 Mill Rd, Hammond, NY 13646
Lat. 44.380677717195, Long. –75.653340349558
More details about the historic marker can be found on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation website.

The St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture has collaborated with the Pomeroy Foundation for a few years to install historic markers in St. Lawrence County. In 2024, we secured funding for a historic marker for Hiram Bartlett in Russell, NY at Balsam Cemetery. In 2025, we secured funding for a historic marker for the mining industry in Rossie, NY.

This ceremony commemorates the unveiling of the new Rossie Pomeroy Historic Marker celebrating New York’s early mining industry. The dedication ceremony will be followed by a walking tour of the site led by John Austin and Carlene Bermann, SLCCHC Executive Director. The tour includes the remains of the grist mill (1825), iron foundry, machine shop (1840s), iron furnace (1813), and David Parish’s land office (ca. 1812).

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SLCCHC May Brown Bag Presentation: “A River Ship Runs Through It: A Celebration of the Queens of the St. Lawrence”

Author Jim McRae will join us virtually on May 9 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM for May’s Brown Bag Presentation, A River Ship Runs Through It: A Celebration of the Queens of the St. Lawrence.

Details:
Date: May 9, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Virtually on Zoom (link will be e-mailed at registration)
Pricing: Cost of attendance is a $5 suggested donation, members are free.
Pre-registration is required.
Register online, call the main office at 315-386-8133, or e-mail carlene@slcha.org

Please note this program is virtual only. If you can’t join the Zoom presentation, please call the office at (315) 386-8133 to let us know and we’ll set up a live-stream in the County Gallery. 

This presentation will feature his book Seaway Queens: The Style & Grace of Legendary Lakers and its companion children’s activity book, Seaway Queens Junior Mariner’s Activity Book.

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Wire Wrapping with Gemstones Workshop

Celebrate Earth Day by learning to wrap copper or silver wire to make gemstone trees, pendants, or rings with Melissa Zeallor and David Mills, AKA the “Rock Doc.”

Choose from a variety of materials for your creations, including minerals naturally occurring in St. Lawrence County, like fluorite and calcite, dyed tumbled stones, beads, and salvaged natural items, such as beach glass and shells.

No experience necessary, but more experienced participants may be able to make more than 1 item to take home.

Cost: $10.00 suggested donation covers all materials

Space is limited. Registration required.
To reserve your spot, call the main office at (315) 386-8133, email Carlene Bermann at  carlene@slcha.org, or register online.

 

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Family-friendly Natural Egg Dyeing Workshop

The St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture will host a natural egg dyeing workshop on April 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at 3 E. Main Street in Canton.…

SLCCHC Brown Bag: Hiscock Legal Aid Society: Learn About the Origins of Our Immigration Legal System

Details:
Date: Thursday, March 27, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Pricing: Cost of attendance is a $5 suggested donation, members are free.
Call us at 315-386-8133 or e-mail info@slcha.org
Pre-registration is recommended for both the Brown Bag Presentation and the legal consultation sessions.

In this Brown Bag Presentation, Juan J. Ariza Fabregas from Hiscock Legal Aid Society will discuss the history of U.S. immigration law and relevant changes over the years that have impacted current laws.

After the presentation, Juan will be available in person from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM for legal consultation regarding issues such as adjustment of status, naturalization & citizenship, specific immigrant juvenile status, family-based immigration, deportation & removal proceedings, travel documents, work authorization, and more. To sign up for a legal consultation spot, please contact Carlene Bermann at carlene@slcha.org or call the main office at (315) 386-8133. Legal consultation sessions are free.

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St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture’s 2024 Year in Review

St. Lawrence County Center for History & Culture’s 2024 Year in Review

This year, we would like to highlight the programs, outreach events, fundraisers, and construction projects that have happened over the past year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our generous donors and sponsors who have made these programs possible. As a non-profit organization, donations truly drive our organization, and we couldn’t accomplish all we do without you.

To navigate our Year in Review, please use the Table of Contents below.

Each heading is hyperlinked, so clicking on a heading will take you directly to that section. To return to the Table of Contents, simply click the “Back to the top” link at the end of each section. You can also simply scroll through the page at your leisure to read our entire 2024 Year in Review.

Table of Contents:

  1. SLCCHC 77th Annual Meeting
  2. Patricia Harrington Carson Brown Bag Lunch Series
  3. Historic Garden Project
  4. Programs & Outreach Events
  5. Fundraisers
  6. Construction & Renovation Projects
  7. Historic Restoration Projects
  8. Donations & Sponsorships
  9. 2024 Rushton Society Inductees
  10. 2024 Volunteer Recognition
  11. 2024 Internship Experiences
  12. Plans for 2025

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