Essex Heritage Center

The Essex Heritage Center is located on the corner of Route 22 and Elm St. The building was built in 1867 as a school in a Greek revival style and serves as a museum with displays of Essex architecture and artifacts; a Visitor’s Center; a Resale business, providing both items and financial support for those in the community who need help, and an office for the Town Historian. The historical archives are stored here and research is encouraged. What Communities Does This Facility Serve
Town of Essex

What Are The Stories Told In This Facility
Shipbuilding and commerce on Lake Champlain

Historic Greek Revival Architecture

What Are The “Don’t Miss” Experiences In This Community
Historic Buildings:

Virtually every building in Historic Essex is architecturally significant and warrants a visit. While exploring, special notice should be paid to the following residences.

Dower House(c. 1785) was the home of Essex founder, William Gilliland
Hickory Hill(c. 1822) was built for the Ross Family in the Federal style and modeled after a home in Salem, New York
John Gould House(1833) is possibly a precursor to Greystone
Blockhouse Farm(1836) is the only complete temple-form Greek Revival house in Essex
Sunnyside / Harmon Noble House(1835) the house reflects classical Greek motifs and the octagonal schoolhouse/office exhibits Gothic Revival details
Noble Clemons House(c. 1850) this Italianate manse is crowned with a rooftop cupola
Wilder Housethis is the only example of Second Empire architecture in Essex
Greystone(c. 1853) this high-style Greek Revival mansion is located across from the Essex Ferry Landing in Essex hamlet
Rosslyn(c. 1826) the house reflects the Greek Revival and Federal styles, while the boathouse is a late 19th century Eastlake-design
Arts, Activities and Shopping:

Adirondack Art Association Gallery, 518-963-7270
Cupola House Gallery, Essex, 518-963-7222
Essex Theater Company, Essex 518-963-4500
Neighborhood Nest Antiques, Essex 518-963-4652
Other Businesses:

Emmet Carter is a green design firm located in Essex that specializes in historically sensitive renovation and non-toxic, ecologically sustainable building practices.
Outdoor Recreation:

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a network for hiking, walking, skiing, snowshoeing, birding, tracking, and picnicking in and around the Champlain Valley in New York State’s Adirondack Park. CATS trails encompass a rich tapestry of preserved wildlife habitats, pastoral farmland, historic villages, scenic woodlands, and a diverse aquatic system of streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds including the Boquet River and Lake Champlain.
Coon Mountainis owned and maintained by the Adirondack Nature Conservancy/Adirondack Land Trust. The well-marked trailhead and parking area is on the north side of the Halds Road in Westport. The Halds Road is reached by traveling south from Essex on the Lakeshore Road (Essex Co. Route 9). Essex’s Main Street turns into the Lakeshore Road after it leaves the hamlet. Turn right onto Halds Road and watch for the trailhead parking area on your right. The trail winds, sometimes steeply, to the summit of Coon Mountain in one-half mile. The views of the Champlain Valley and the surrounding farmlands are inspiring. The hike is popular with local residents who appreciate having this new, easily accessible hike. On our last trip to the top we encountered another local family exercising their llamas with a hike up Coon Mountain.
Poke-o-Moonshine MountainThe fire tower-peaked summit is a more strenuous hike of just over a mile leaves from the Poke-O-Moonshine State Campground on NYS Route 9 north of Lewis. The summit offers gorgeous views of the Champlain Valley to the east and the Adirondack high peaks to the west.
Season And Hours Open
Open Memorial Day – Columbus Day Everyday 10am to 5pm

Identify And Describe The Management Organization
“Historic Essex” assists the local community in protecting and preserving the historic-built environment and its natural surroundings through educational awareness, heritage advocacy and protective covenants

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