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 Association of Museums

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

Miniatures

Stone Windmill, Morristown; J. H. Rushton Boat Shop, Canton; Round Town Hall, Depeyster

Stone Windmill, Morristown

The windmill was built in 1825 by Scottish miller Hough McConnell, an immigrant to the United States via Ireland and Canada. It is believed to be the first and only wind-powered stone gristmill south of the St Lawrence River. The structure has seen many uses over the years, including as a jail, an Air Warning System Observation Post during WWII and the American Legion Clubhouse. Today the wooden blades are gone, but the windmill still stands 40 feet high with its massive 40-inch thick stone walls.

JH Rushton Boat Shop, Canton

In 1881, J Henry Rushton constructed a four-story frame shop on Water Street (now called Riverside Drive) to house his quickly growing boat-building business. Each room of the shop housed a different part of the construction process – hull construction, drying, sanding, finishing, varnishing, etc. Rushton died in 1906, and the shop closed for good in 1916. The shop building was razed in the mid-1900s.

Round Town Hall, Depeyster

Depeyster's unique Round Town Hall was designed by Doctor David Foss, a physician and amateur architect, and was dedicated in 1896. Originally built for the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF), the building was later purchased for use by the Odd Fellows (IOOF). The Town of Depeyster bought the property after the Odd Fellows abandoned their charter. And in 1974, the town renovated the building for use as a Town Hall. The hall is completely round with a diameter measuring 40 feet.

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Civil War Sesquicentennial

150 years ago this month:

• Jan 1, 1862 - S. Pierre Remington recruiting for Cavalry Regiment (Scott's 900) has 60 men already.
• Jan 1, 1862 - Recruiting for 92nd NY at Camp Union in Potsdam; they have 550 men so far.
• Jan 8, 1862 - 60th on railroad Guard Duty; officers trying to get rid of Colonel Heyward, Preston King helping. [Colonel William Heyward discharged 01-8th, 1862.] Rumor that if England declares war on US because of the Mason- Slidell arrest, the 60th will return to Ogdensburg [to help protect the border].
• Jan 8, 1862 - Colonel Durkee at Malone recruiting a company of sharpshooters [for 98th NY infantry]. For winner of a trial of skill there is a $100.00 prize.
• Jan 15, 1862 - Officers in the 92nd are Col. Jonah Sanford, Lt. Col. Bingham, Major T.S. Hall
• Jan 15, 1862 - Captain Remington's Company of Cavalry left Canton for training in Staten Island
• Jan 15, 1862 - 16th NY in winter quarters near Alexandria, VA.
• Jan 15, 1862 - 92nd NY --Thomas S. Clarkson presents the regiment a flag in honor of his daughters.
• Jan 19, 1862 - Battle of Mill Springs (or Fishing Creek, Logan's Crossroads) (Kentucky)
• Jan 22, 1862 - Hon. C. B. Hoard of Watertown returned from Washington with a contract for Manufacture of 50,000 rifles at $20.00 each to be filled within 2 years; not sure whether they will be built in Watertown or not. (They were.)
• Jan 29, 1862 - 60th Headquarters at Mount Clare, Maryland. A soldier of Co. H run over by "cars" - he "was cut in half"
• Jan 29, 1862 - 98th NY Infantry at Camp Franklin, Malone with Colonel Wm. Dutton of Wayne County , Lt Colonel Chas. Durkee of Franklin County, and Albon Mann of Franklin County as Major

Events in bold are St Lawrence County events