Clinton County Historical Association
We host a wide variety of events during the year, including lectures, workshops, and guided tours. Below are past events.
Oppression of the Oppressed is presented by Robin Caudell, award-winning journalist and videographer and staff writer at the Press Republican. For the past seven years, Robin Caudell ‘s back-burner book simmered about abolitionist martyr John Brown's memory and legacy in the Adirondacks. Placing him in the context of the Underground Railroad in the Borderlands, this presentation examines oppression of the oppressed and the adoption, captivity, and slavery practices of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Western Abenaki before, during, and after European contact. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts.
The Town of Beekmantown and the Clinton County Historical Association present:
Moses Hazen, Clement Gosselin, and Congress’s Own Canadian Regiments: Their Personal Contributions in Winning the War for Independence
Most people probably have never heard of the Canadian Regiments that played a most important role in winning our nations independence during the American Revolution. Thaddeus Booth Trudo and Gary VanCour will present the historical, cultural, and military background leading to the formation of the Canadian Regiments serving in the Continental army. Often known as Congress’s Own, this presentation will feature the vital part that these Regiments and their veterans played both in the American Revolution and in early settlement of Clinton County. Although their life stories are somewhat varied, both Moses Hazen and Clement Gosselin are excellent examples of dedicated patriots who suffered severe sacrifices which their wartime service cost them in supporting the American dream of freedom from the British crown.
Presenters: Developing a passion for history from a very early age, Thaddeus J. Booth Trudo received a BA from Norwich University in Studies in War and Peace and an MA in History Museum Studies through SUNY Oneonta. He has served as a volunteer at the Clinton County Historical Museum and has presented several topics as part of the America 250 speaker series. Gary VanCour has always been fascinated by the stories of the people in history and the commonalities that we all share. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh, he pursued an innovative career in education as a social studies teacher for over thirty years. Although now retired from the classroom, he is currently the Historian for the Town of Beekmantown and continues to discover new pieces of our past to share with the public.
This event has been canceled; our apologies for the late notice. We hope to re-schedule soon.
Join us in a special service in honor of those who were lost during the Battle of Valcour 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!
Free & Open to the Public!
The Navy Band Northeast’s Pops Ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Giltz Auditorium at Hawkins Hall on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. The performance is part of the weekend commemorating the Battle of Valcour Island.
The 30-member ensemble brings together Navy wind and percussion musicians for a concert spanning patriotic favorites, traditional wind band music, and Broadway selections. Its public concerts feature narration and typically run 60 to 90 minutes.
The ensemble will also provide music for the Saranac Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s 131st Battle of Valcour Island Commemoration, which immediately proceeds the narrated reenactment of the Battle of Valcour Island. These events begin at 10:00 a.m.Sunday, October 11, at the Plattsburgh City Beach.
Both days’ events are free and the public is welcome!
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.
Registration recommended by calling 518-561-0340 or emailing director@clintoncountyhistorical.org. This event is made possible through a grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership,
The new Battle of Valcour Island Interpretive Center at the Peru Boat Dock, Route 9, south of Plattsburgh, will be officially unveiled on Saturday, October 10, at 11:00 a.m. as part of the Battle of Valcour Island Signature Weekend events. Geri Favreau, Chair of the ClintonCounty America 250 Committee, will welcome guests to the weekend’s events. NewYork State Senator Daniel Stec, representing the 45th Senate District, will offer greetings on behalf of the Senate, and Assembly Member Michael Cashman, representing the 115th Assembly District, will welcome attendees on behalf of the New York State Assembly.
Robert Daley, Regional Forester for Region 5 Forest Preserve Management of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will discuss the partnership that led to the creation of the Interpretive Center and the area’s history as a National Historic Landmark. The Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will share the history of the Arnold monument, and Town of Peru Supervisor Craig Randall will be recognized for contributing the Center’s flagpole. John Rock of American Legion Posts 1619 and 912 will conduct the official raising of the flag donated by the Legion Post 1619.
The Center will officially open with an unveiling ceremony featuring John Rock, Craig Randall, Robert Daley, Jim Brangan Interim Director, NEIWPCC Lake Champlain Programs Division, and a representative of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Following the official opening of the Battle of Valcour Island Interpretive Center, Arthur Cohn, Nautical Archaeologist and Research Associate of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, will lead a memorial recognizing the veterans who died in Valcour Bay, with Historian George Quintal reading of the names of the fallen. Commemorative wreaths will be laid in honor of both the American and Crown forces followed by an honorary rifle volley on land by the American Legion Posts 1619 and 912 with a volley on the water by representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution. The ceremony will conclude with closing remarks followed by fife music performed by Bill Long.
The Interpretive Center was created with support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Peru, American Legion Posts 1619 and 912, and the Clinton County Historical Association and a grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
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.
The Clinton County Historical Association and Museum is commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the 1776 Battle of Valcour Island with three consecutive days of events from October 9 to 11. The Signature Weekend opens with a dinner honoring the members of the Valcour Bay Research Project (VPRP) Team. The VBRP was an archaeological survey of Valcour Bay conducted by local divers and archaeologists from the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum between 1999 and 2007. The October 9th dinner event begins with a reception at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 at the West Side Ballroom, 253 New York Road, Plattsburgh. Special guests will include the VBRP team members and speaker Edwin Scollon, Co-Principal Investigator of the Team will do a presentation about the team and the raising of the last "exploded" cannon piece from the gunboat New York. Dinner choices are: Benedict Arnold’s Herb-Roasted Chicken named for the Commander of the American Fleet at Valcour Island in 1776; Jean Laframboise’s Cider-Glazed Pork Loin named for the Revolutionary War Veteran and early Chazy settler whose fruit-bearing trees became Clinton County’s First Orchard; Haudenosaunee Maple-Ginger Glazed Salmon inspired by their introduction of maple to early settlers; and Thomas Jefferson’s Macaroni & Cheese, a reminder that Jefferson developed a taste for Macaroni and Cheese while in France and later helped popularize the dish in America. For dessert we’ll have Ida Ostrander’s Apple Crisp in honor of the first child born in Plattsburgh.
Reservations for dinner are $55 per person and must be made by October 2nd. Call 518-561-0340 or visit the Clinton County Historical Association and Museum, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh to reserve your seat.
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.
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.
1776 -The Battle of Valcour Island and the Legacy Left Behind.
With Arthur Cohn, Nautical Archaeologist and Research Associate of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University.
In 1776, the war that would create the Nation was entering its second year, and prospects for victory looked dim. The attack on Quebec City on December 31, 1775, resulting in the death of General Richard Montgomery, the wounding of 2nd-in-command, Colonel Benedict Arnold, and the capture of more than 300 Americans, had brought the Revolutionary War to the brink of disaster and defeat. As the sick and demoralized American army retreated from Quebec and escaped to the safety of Lake Champlain, it was clear that the campaign of 1776 would center on naval control of Lake Champlain. That effort culminated at the Battle of Valcour Island, a three-day naval engagement that would prove to be the "Key to Liberty” and determine whether the rebellion would continue and succeed.
Art Cohn’s illustrated talk will examine this pivotal moment in American and British history, as well as the cultural legacy left behind. Art will also provide an overview of the archaeological legacy of the Battle of Valcour Island and of current management efforts to preserve it for future generations.
Free & Open to the Public!
On Thursday, October 1, Thaddeus Booth Trudo, Military Historian and Norwich University graduate, will present “A Cross Section of the Continental Army: Clinton CountyRevolutionary War Veterans.”
Booth Trudo will bring the service and sacrifices of Clinton County’s Revolutionary War soldiers to the forefront by sharing the stories of veterans who made the county their home following the war. These men served throughout the struggle for independence, from Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston in 1775 through the disbandment of the Continental Army in 1783. Together, their experiences reveal the remarkable role Clinton County’s veterans played in the American Revolution and preserve the local legacy of those who helped secure the nation’s independence.
Free & Open to the Public!
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, an historic roadside marker will be unveiled in Port Douglas, commemorating the military service of American Revolutionary War veterans.
The marker honors American Revolutionary War veterans Rufus Norton, Asahel Strong, and Joshua Wells, Jr. The ceremony will include brief remarks and wreath laying. The ceremony will take place outdoors, rain or shine, and will last approximately twenty minutes. Seating and restrooms will not be provided; attendees are welcome to bring chairs if desired. Immediately following the unveiling, a reception will be held at the cemetery.
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.
Free & Open to the Public!
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.
Free & Open to the Public!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy an leisurely walking tour of the Plattsburgh Oval with tour guides Maribeth Dunajski and Richard Caudell. Hear histories of the historic buildings with special inside views of the Officers’ quarters and the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel. Registration is suggested by calling 518-561- 0340.
Where and when did the County start and how did it develop. See photos of the towns and villages which formed to become part of the Clinton County story. With Helen Nerska.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
Abigail Adams famously charged her husband to “remember the ladies” as he worked to reform colonial government in early 1776. Though rarely on the battlefield, many American women were as invested in the success of the Revolution as the men who led and died in the war. Their contributions from the homefront to the front lines established their place as partners in the new nation. Presented by Dr. Wendy Gordon, History Professor, SUNY Plattsburgh
A History Discussion - Women’s Equality Day with Helen Nerska. Both men and women in Clinton County advocated for women suffrage. Hear their stories and how they managed to win the vote in 1917.
Two Battles, One Ballot: African American Women and the Struggle for Equal Voting Rights. North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association President Jacqueline Madison explores the extraordinary determination of Black women who fought simultaneously against racial discrimination and gender inequality to secure the right to vote. Through stories of courage, resistance, and perseverance, this presentation examines literacy tests, voter intimidation, racial violence, and discriminatory laws that sought to silence their voices. Focusing on the experiences of African American women in the North, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of their vital role in the long struggle for voting rights and the lasting impact of their activism on American democracy. Bring your lunch.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
Echoes if we listen with Helen Nerska based on the newest CCHA Revolutionary War exhibit: Native, Women and Black Patriots in Focus. Discover how each group contributed to the cause with expectations that were not realized.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
$35 per person. Register today! Meet for a short Island history at the Flagpole and take a leisurely 2-mile hike around the Island. A tour guide with a map is provided. Boat will leave the Peru Boat Launch every 35 minutes starting at 9:30 until 1:00 pm. Last Boat back is at3:00 pm. Call 518-561-0340 to register.
Examining the city's East End, this presentation traces the development of the area's historic architecture: the various styles of buildings, their contributions to the extended historic district, and the status of their preservation.
Sunday on the Island - $30 per person. Register today! Tours of the lighthouse and a free Valcour Island trail guide. Boats will leave the Peru Boat Launch every 20 minutes starting at 9:20 am until 1:00. Last boat back is at 3:00 pm. Call 518-561-0340 to register.
Echoes if we listen with Helen Nerska based on the newest CCHA Revolutionary War exhibit: Native, Women and Black Patriots in Focus. Discover how each group contributed to the cause with expectations that were not realized.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
Tours of the McGregor Powerhouse and visit with Town of Altona Town Historian Kristina Parker and Clinton County Historical Association Director Helen Nerska and more!
The Bluff Point Lighthouse is open for tours hosted by Clinton County Historical Association volunteers. Transportation to Valcour Island is the responsibility of the visitor.
A ceremony commemorating Chazy Veterans from 1775 to today with Military Historian Thaddeus Booth Trudo,American Legion Posts 1619 and 769, and Clinton County AL adjutant Robert St. John.
$35 per person. Register today! Meet for a short Island history at the Flagpole and take a leisurely 2-mile hike around the Island. A tour guide with a map is provided. Boat will leave the Peru Boat Launch every 35 minutes starting at 9:30 until 1:00 pm. Last Boat back is at3:00 pm. Call 518-561-0340 to register.
Dedication of an historical marker on Wiley’s Point North Refugee Burial ground with presentations by local historian and Preservationist David Patrick, County legislator and Town of Champlain Historian Calvin Castine, Saranac Chapter DAR Historian Mary Bleau and Military Historian Thaddeus Booth Trudo. The marker is sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 462.
Learn about the early settlers of Chazy Landing from the 1790’s through to 1825.
Sunday on the Island - $30 per person. Register today! Tours of the lighthouse and a free Valcour Island trail guide. Boats will leave the Peru Boat Launch every 20 minutes starting at 9:20 am until 1:00. Last boat back is at 3:00 pm. Call 518-561-0340 to register.
Reading of Declaration of Independence by John Krueger. Sponsored by Sons of the American Revolution and the Clinton County Historical Association.
History matters because liberty is not self-sustaining; it must first be imagined in the minds and hearts of ordinary people and then defended through sacrifice, leadership, and endurance. Using figures such as John and Abigail Adams, Joseph Warren, and William Emerson, this engaging illustrated presentation will explain how the American Revolution grew from conviction into action, while the Declaration of Independence gave that struggle its clearest moral and political purpose. Its central regional argument is that Valcour Island deserves lasting historical importance because Benedict Arnold’s improvised naval stand on Lake Champlain delayed the British advance long enough to preserve the northern defenses and help make Saratoga possible. A familiar story will be told in an unfamiliar manner, something you won’t want to miss.
Peru Veterans and the founding of the Town with Military historian Thaddeus Booth-Trudo and Town of Peru historian Helen Nerska.
Visit the CCHA museum for guided tours and special offerings. See here for information on museum openings around the county.
Three days of celebrations will be held from June 19th to 21st to mark the 2026 national Juneteenth holiday in Clinton and Essex counties, which were hotbeds of abolitionism during a transforming time in American history. Full details can be found here.
Join us to discuss the demographics of the Town of Clinton (Churubusco). This presentation will reveal why the Churubusco populus is primarily French Canadian and Irish by delving into the history or settlement in Churubusco and how it ties into the Canadian rebellion of 1837!
A photographic view of the Plattsburgh City Center in thelate 19th and early 20th Centuries with Pat Loughan.
Visit with Clinton County Historical Association volunteers and learn about activities planned throughout the summer.
A photographic view of the Plattsburgh City Center in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries with Pat Loughan. The public is welcome to attend.
New Year’s Eve 2025 was the 250th Anniversaryof the attempted storming of Quebec City by American forces under the commandof Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold. Learn more about this eventand the brave patriots who participate in this early revolutionary war battle.
Join us to discuss the demographics of the Town of Clinton (Churubusco). This presentation will reveal why the Churubusco populous is primarily French Canadian and Irish by delving into the history or settlement in Churubusco and how it ties into the Canadian rebellion of 1837.
The newly released book by Curt Stager and David Kanietakeron Fadden “challenges the widespread, long-standing belief that the Adirondack uplands of northern New York were uninhabited before the arrival of European colonizers. Through local indigenous traditions and supporting findings by natural science, authors Fadden and Stager expose, document, and honor the long human presence in the Adirondacks, helping not only to redefine what it means to be an Adirondacker, but also contributing to a more complete understanding of America itself.”
Join the Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the rededication of a marker recognizing Revolutionary War PatriotJames Call. Tours of the cemetery will follow the rededication ceremony. The cemetery holds the graves of nine revolutionary war veterans.
Photos and stories of the men who generated this prosperous local industry.
The Battle of Valcour Island – before, during and after. With Reenactor and Historian Craig Russell.
American Legion Post 1619 will host an event to honor 250 years of American veterans with a rifle volley and taps. Guest speakers are Legion Commander Robert St. John and Assemblyman Michael Cashman. Legion members will be attired in Honor Guard and Revolutionary War uniforms. This event marks the kick-off for Legion supported America250 events honoring veterans, including those ceremonies which will occur throughout the year at local cemeteries. Also, at this event those veterans missing in action and prisoners of war will be remembered and honored. For additional information please email John Rock at fatext@aol.com or call him at 518-569-7687.
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.
After selling his bicycle business, Henry Lozier moved to Plattsburgh in 1900 to manufacture boats and marine engines. Learn the very early history of the Lozier company with rare inside photos of the boathouse. Lozier history is an exciting part of Plattsburgh’s rich past.
On October 11, 1776, Commandant Benedict Arnold and his American Fleet literally found themselves in dire straits. Outgunned and out manned, it was a setting of Arnold’s choosing, and one in which he hoped to slow and ensnare the inevitable British advance into the Champlain Valley. Join Ed Scollon as he shares the findings of the Valcour Bay Research Project and the consequences that the Battle of Valcour had for the American Gondola New York, its crew and one of their families. Ed Scollon is a retired NYS Trooper and NYS Underwater Recovery Team Member. A Co-Founder and Co-Principal Investigator of the Valcour Bay Research Project, Ed continues to work as an archaeological diver and researcher, focusing his study on the 1776 Battle of Valcour Island.
Town of Peru Settlers before the Revolution – Not Just William Hay in 1772. People and Stories never before revealed with David Glenn.
Town of Peru Settlers before the Revolution – Not Just William Hay in 1772. People and Stories never before revealed with David Glenn.
Share your thoughts and inspirations as you join CCHA Board member Karin Thone for tours of the museum and its art treasures. Special tours are scheduled for 11 am and 1 pm.
A Virtual Tour of the Old Base Oval with Helen Nerska showing photos of the original buildings and the histories associated with each.
After nearly 70 years of persuasion, New York State allowed women to vote in all elections. Hear the stories of the many Clinton County women and men who dedicated themselves to achieving this right for women.
The Life and Times of Fannie Delord Hall with Pat Loughan, President, Kent-Delord House Museum.
Celebrate the waters of the Lake Champlain Basin with more than 30 scientists, historians, artists and other water experts on hand to share their work and answer questions.
New Year’s Eve 2025 was the 250th Anniversaryof the attempted storming of Quebec City by American forces under the commandof Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold. Learn more about this eventand the brave patriots who participate in this early revolutionary war battle.
Welcome to the Witherill, with memories shared from the book authored by the late Susan Howel Hamlin.
Local teenaged poets and sisters, Lucretia and Margaret Davidson, were once known nationwide as tragic and romantic figures in the literary world. Through anecdotal stories, journal entries, letters, and their own works, Author Lisabeth Guay will share insights into who these two extraordinary young ladies of Plattsburgh once were. Seating is limited. Call 518-561-0340 by March 11 to reserve a seat.
The Clinton County Historical Association and the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association are co-hosting a lecture by historian and author Sandra Weber on February 26th 6:00 pm, at the CCHA Museum, 98 Ohio Road, Plattsburgh. Sandra presents a compelling talk about her newest book, John Brown in New York: The Man, His Family, and the Adirondack Landscape and offers a fresh and intimate look at the famed abolitionist, focusing on the years of the Brown family’s connection with North Elba, Essex County (1848–1863). The intertwining story of sublime Adirondack scenery, farm life, and racial justice explores John Brown not only as a national figure but as a husband, father, neighbor, abolitionist, and equalitarian. Sandra’s insightful narrative bridges the myth and the man, revealing the tender and tragic heart of the Brown family story.
The Golden Age of the Cigar Trade in Downtown Plattsburgh - photos and stories of the men who generated this prosperous local industry. Seating is limited. Call 518-561-0340 before February 24 to reserve a seat.
First settled by Europeans in 1772and established as a town in 1792, Peru’s history timeline reflects how smallnorth country towns were created and developed into thriving villages.
Test yourself and learn something new with questions and answers about the County’s rich history with a prize for the winner.
Stories of the remarkable soldiers who were stationed at the Plattsburgh Reservation between 1890 and 1920 as revealed through the portrait collection at the Clinton County Historical Association with military historian Thaddeus Booth Trudo.
A Photo Peek at Old Plattsburgh. Using photos from the CCHA collection, see ‘then and now’ photo comparisons of landmarks in downtown Plattsburgh. Come and see what you might recognize and share stories of these special spots.
The Golden Age of the Cigar Trade in Downtown Plattsburgh – photos and stories of the men who generated this prosperous local industry.
History of Clinton County in Pictures. Where did the County start and how did it develop. See photos of the towns and villages which formed to become part of the Clinton County story. Seating is limited. Call 518-561-0340 before January 21 to reserve a seat.
The Extraordinary Life of Champlain’s Jehudi Ashmun (1794 – 1828) with Helen Nerska. Born and raised in Champlain, New York, Jehudi Ashmun went on to help the American Colonization Society successfully establish Liberia. The story of his journey from Champlain to Liberia is the story of the life of an extraordinary man from the North Country.
Redford Glass Uncovered with Helen Nerska. The presentation will take participants back to a period more than 200 years ago 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.
The Extraordinary Life of Champlain’s Jehudi Ashmun (1794 – 1828). Born and raised in Champlain, New York, Jehudi Ashmun went on to help the American Colonization Society successfully establish Liberia. The story of his journey from Champlain to Liberia is the story of the life of an extraordinary man from the North Country.
Struggle in the Snow: The Storming of Quebec with Thaddeus Booth-Trudeau. On New Years Eve 2025 the Clinton County Historical Association and the Clinton County America 250 Committee will commemorate the service, sacrifice, and many historical firsts of the approximately 10,000 American troops of the Continental Army that served as part of the 1775-1776 Quebec Campaign. This commemoration is being held on New Year's Eve as it is the 250th Anniversary of the attempted Storming of Quebec City by American forces under the command of Generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold. This storming attempt marked the high water mark of the campaign and we feel it appropriate to commemorate those that served during this campaign on this anniversary.
Holiday Open House with special sales on books and gifts and the opportunity to win the 2025 CCHA Lottery ticket package.
Holiday Open House with special sales on books and gifts and the opportunity to win the 2025 CCHA Lottery ticket package.
Introducing the newly published book The Champlain Canal: 200 Years of Change with Matt Harrison. This book features chapters by historians, archeologists, and biologists on the past and present evolutions of the Champlain Canal which celebrated its bicentennial in 2023. Harrison’s talk will focus on early tourism on the waters of the canal and on Lake Champlain, in particular the accounts of two women travelers who recorded their vacations along the canal in the 1890s -- Florence Snedeker and Augusta Brown.
Using photos from the CCHA collection, see "then and now" photo comparisons of landmarks in downtown Plattsburgh. Come and see what you might recognize and share stories of these special spots.
Hear the history of the Mooers Train Station followed by a visit to the station itself with historian Dick Soper and Mooers train station owner Chris Trombley. Sponsored by the Town of Mooers Historian Vicki Brassard and the Clinton County Historical Association. Free and open to the public, for more information call (518) 561-0340.
CCHA has many items in our shop that would make great holiday gifts - books, ornaments, prints, the Bluff Point Lighthouse pendants, jugs, a crock, a skeet gun, and more.
Test yourself and learn something new with questions and answers about the County’s unique history with a prize for the most right answers.
Test yourself and learn something new with questions and answers about the County’s rich history with a prize for the most right answers.
Helen Nerska will present photos and stories of the men who generated this prosperous local industry.
Guest Speakers Town of Champlain Historian Calvin Castine on the 175th Anniversary of the Northern Railroad and Champlain Fire District Commissioner Chris Trombley on the restoration of the Mooers Junction Railroad Station. Call 518-561-0340 to reserve your seat and choose your dinner options. $32.00 per person. Reservations must be made by November 12th. Please contact Geri Favreau with any questions at gerifavreau@gmail.com or call (518) 561-0340.
Join Mountain Lake PBS for an evening of discovery and conversation with an exclusive preview of Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt’s The American Revolution.
View selected scenes from the film, and join in a community conversation with local experts Matthew Keagle, Curator, Fort Ticonderoga; Daniel Lake, Professor of Political Science at SUNY Plattsburgh; and Joshua Beatty, Director of the Feinberg Library and Early American History PhD.
Space is limited, so reserve your seat today here.
Exploring Plattsburgh's Point: The Buildings of the Macomb St. Historic District. With Dr. James Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Plattsburgh. Examining the city's East End, this presentation traces the development of the area's historic architecture: the various styles of buildings, their contributions to the extended historic district, and the status of their preservation.
The Life and Times of Fannie Delord Hall with Pat Loughan, President, Kent-Delord House Museum.
Walking Tour of the Railroad Depot and Peace Point at east end of Plattsburgh. The 1.5 hr narrated tour with historic photos begins at the Commemoration Bridge at the foot of Green Street and covers the history of the city and the rail yard, as far as Peace Point. Call 518-561-0340 to register. Walk-ins also welcome.
The Life and Times of Fannie Delord Hall with Pat Loughan, President, Kent-Delord House Museum.
