Clinton County Historical Association
We host a wide variety of events during the year, including lectures, workshops, and guided tours. Below are some current and past events.
Join the Battle of Plattsburgh celebrations and hear two 40 minute history talks, first with CCHA Volunteer and Military Historian Thaddeus Booth Trudo on Macdonough's Naval Career before and after the battle, followed by The History of the Macdonough Monument with CCHA Director Helen Nerska.
William Henry Miner’s life is a true Horatio Alger story. Orphaned as a pre-teen, Miner was sent from the Midwest to live with his aunt and uncle in Chazy, New York. Miner returned to the Midwest as a young man and eventually became a successful inventor of railroad equipment by the late 19th century. After achieving his wealth, Miner returned to Chazy with his wife Alice to establish Heart’s Delight Farm. The farm was a model of agricultural innovation and self-sufficiency. The Miners also believed in using their fortune to help others and their remarkable generosity continues to impact the North Country. With Amy Bedard, Library Director, William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute.
Beginning in Mooers in 1897, the Grange Movement quickly spread throughout Clinton County providing access to what was declared in the Plattsburgh Sentinel in 1904 to be one of the "grandest educational organizations in the world." Welcoming both men and women into their organizational hierarchy, granges and their leaders built halls, published histories, held educational forums and hosted community events throughout Clinton County. Helen Nerska, the daughter of a 'granger' shares her research on the impact of this nation-wide movement in our County.
The presentation with CCHA Director Helen Nerska will take participants back to the 1830s to learn about the short-lived history of the Redford Glass Company. Although the company was in business for only 20 years they produced products that demonstrated unique skilled craftsmanship that survive to this day. By the end of the presentation participants will see how the Company, that was once famous and esteemed for its crown glass windowpanes, has become synonymous with unique and priceless glassware.
With the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the many threats to Plattsburgh's rich cultural heritage in those years, Dr. Allan Everest and the Clinton County Historical Association jump-started a drive in the 1970s to protect endangered architecture in the city center. Their work led to the creation of four National Register Historic Districts, which included two very different districts on Brinkerhoff and Court Streets in 1982. This illustrated presentation assesses what was included, how it changed over the years, and the many issues still facing both districts. With Dr. James Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Plattsburgh.
In October of 1776 a tiny bay on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain was the site of the final encounter of the three-day Revolutionary War Battle on Lake Champlain which started at Valcour Island. In this location, formerly known as Ferris Bay, five colonial vessels, under the command of Benedict Arnold, were burned to deny their capture by the British fleet. Arnold and his crews escaped overland while under fire from the British vessels. Since 2021 the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has been conducting a battlefield survey of Arnold’s Bay and the shoreline around it with a goal of refining our understanding of the battlefield and any remaining vessel wreckage through in-water and terrestrial survey. Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Executive Director Chris Sabick will present the background history of the site and a description of previous archaeology work, and present preliminary results of recent excavations.
Illustrated Talk on the Battle of Valcour Island with American Revolutionary War Historian and Author Art Cohn.
Guided Museum Tours highlighting our Revolutionary War Exhibit with the story of the Battle of Valcour Island, the exploded cannon story and replica from the New York, the Royal Savage gun carriage and Echoes, the story of Natives, Blacks and Women in the Revolutionary War.
Join us for the first of the Signature Weekend events with a dinner to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island by honoring the Valcour Bay Research Project Team. Cocktail hour begins at 5 pm followed by dinner at 6 pm. Following dinner, you will learn fascinating information about the team, their work and the raising of the last cannon piece on July 20, 2026.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 518-561-0340. Seating is limited so reserve early. Dinner tickets are $55 (cash or check). RSVP by September 30
*See meal choices below in Related Articles-located under the America 250 tab
Guided Museum Tours highlighting our Revolutionary War Exhibit with the story of the Battle of Valcour Island, the exploded cannon story and replica from the New York, the Royal Savage gun carriage and Echoes, the story of Natives, Blacks and Women in the Revolutionary War.
Enjoy a trip to Valcour Island and explore the Bluff Point Lighthouse! Guides available to answer any questions you may have about this historical site.
Enjoy an evening of Patriotic music with the U.S. Navy Band- Northeast from Newport, Rhode Island.
Enjoy Patriotic music as the final day of the Signature Weekend begins. After opening remarks, the Saranac Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will hold the 131st Commemoration Ceremony of the Battle of Valcour Island. Experience a narrated reenactment of the Battle to be held on Cumberland Bay.
Bring a chair!
A Memorial Service in honor of those who died during the Battle of Valcour Island.
