Adirondack History Center Museum

The Adirondack History Center Museum displays artifacts from over two centuries of life in Essex County and the central Adirondacks. Ten major exhibit areas spread over three floors of a 1915 school building. What Communities Does This Facility Serve
Essex County New York : Chesterfield, Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Essex, Jay, Keene, Keeseville, Lake Placid, Minerva, Moriah, Newcomb, North Elba, North Hudson, Port Henry, Saint Armand, Saranac Lake, Schroon, Ticonderoga, Westport, Willsboro and Wilmington.

What Are The Stories Told In This Facility
Essex County encompasses nearly 1,900 square miles of varied terrain, extending westward from Lake Champlain into the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. One of the state’s most scenic counties, it is also among its most historic. Its rugged mountains and pleasant valleys have provided the backdrop for military battles, international athletic competitions, and outdoor recreation. The land bears the imprint of Native Americans, wilderness explorers, European armies, industrialists, Olympic athletes, seasonal tourists and those who make Essex County their permanent home. The story of these remarkable people, places and events is brought to life at the Adirondack History Center Museum.

What Are The “Don’t Miss” Experiences In This Community
The Fire Tower: The more adventurous are encouraged to climb a 58 foot fire observation tower for splendid views of the surrounding mountains. *UPDATED* In 2012, A new, updated fire tower exhibition brings the story of fire towers into the 21st century with new photos and text to explain early fire tower history, maps and locations for existing and past fire towers and the current fire tower issues of removal, retention and restoration.

The Colonial Gardens: Created in 1956, The Colonial garden features many varieties of flowers and plants in a formal setting patterned after the gardens of England and Colonial Williamsburg.

The Worked/Wild Exhibition: This exhibition explores how the Adirondack Landscape has determined the path of its human history. The exhibition addresses the complex themes and differing perspectives that emerged from community discussions about the meaning of worked and wild in the Adirondacks. This exhibit has received and Award of Merit, the highest honor given by Museumwise, a statewide museum organization.

The Brewster Library: The Brewster Library contains an extensive collection of books pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, mpas, photographs and manuscripts relating to Essex County. Library holdings include files on area families, census data, and a cemetary index for the county. The collection is available to researchers by appointment throughout the year.

Season And Hours Open
Seasonal Hours May25th to October 7th daily 10am-5pm

Identify And Describe The Management Organization
The Essex County Historical Society is a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to fostering a knowledge and appreciation of our county’s past by collecting, preserving, and interpreting tangible reminders of the men and women who have preceded us in this place. Through our Museum, research library, and public programs, we seek to provide opportunities fo people to encounter their human kin across time and to make connections between the past and the present.

Additional Notes And Comments
Adirondack History Center Museum offers many services year-round. Researchers are welcome to make an appointment in the Brewster Library by calling 518-873-6466. For more information on services offered please visit our website: www.adkhistorycenter.org.

Become a Member! Help us to ensure there is a future for the past in Essex County. Historical Society members receive free admission to the museum, a ten percent discount a the gift shop, access to the research library, and our newsletter.

Fees
yes
ADA Accessible
yes
Tours Are Offered
no
Site is Child-friendly
yes
Site is Pet-friendly
no