Civic Center
2 Park Street PO Box 5168
Potsdam, NY 13676-5168
(315) 265-6910

Welcome to Potsdam Public Museum, Potsdam, N.Y.

The Potsdam Public Museum was founded in 1940 and is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of local history and decorative arts. The Museum is a department of the Village of Potsdam, supported by the Town of Potsdam and governed by an independent board of trustees. Its extensive collections span the history of the village, and includes artifacts from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century including: tools, books, maps, photographs, textiles, paintings, dolls, furniture, burial records, family histories and decorative arts collected by area residents.


  CURRENT EXHIBITION:

 MEDICAL

MIRACLES MYSTERIES AND MALADIES :

A History of Local Contributions to the Medical Community
May 2 - October 15, 2010 

 


Above Image: Dr. Max Thaler of Parishville making his rounds on foot, c. 1950, he has stops to speak with his neighbor Era Converse on Catherine Street.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

SECOND ANNUAL SANDSTONE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 15-19th 2010

 

Wednesday September 15th

 7 PM SOAR presents for it's members: "Building with Potsdam Red Sandstone" presented by     Sue Omohundro and John Bridges at the Potsdam Public Museum, and continues on Thursday Sept 16th  10 AM with a guided walking tour.

(This event is open to SOAR members only, call 315-267-2690 for details.)

 

Thursday September 16th

Free and Open to the public:         

2 PM Walking tour of the historic district of downtown Potsdam with Village Historian Mimi Van Deusen

7PM - "Building with Potsdam Red Sandstone," Presented by Sue Omohundro - sandstone historian and preservationist, and, John Bridges - historic preservation consultant

 

Friday September 17th

10 AM Walking tour of Potsdam Sandstone buildings with Sue Omohundro and John Bridges

   2PM Guided tour of the First Presbyterian Church, including an interior tour and history of the church

3PM Walking tour of Old Main and Old Snell Hall with village historian, Mimi Van Deusen, accompanied by Clarkson University Engineer, Ian Hazen, who will speak on Clarkson University's plans for the downtown campus.

5-7PM Jazz at Maxfield's, 50/50 raffle for historic preservation

 

Saturday September 18th

10 AM Walking tour of the Red Sandstone Trail in Hannawa Falls with geologist Jim Carl PH.D. Meet at the trail head across from the Hannawa Falls Fire Station - please do not block fire lane. Donation of $5 for tour includes Dr. Carl's handout

Noon to 4 PM  Fall Island Celebration that will include food, music, childrens activities and exhibit on the history of Fall Island

Noon  Guided tour of the Clarkson Land Office building on Fall Island

        1 PM  Tour of Trinity Episcopal Church's Tiffany stained glass windows guided by                               historian Betsy Travis

2PM Sandstone cutting demonstration with Heritage Stone Mason - John Bridges

 

Sunday September 19th

2 PM Walking tour of Bayside Cemetery. Hear the stories of the folks who made contributions to our community. Enjoy the park like setting in a cemetery designed along the Raquette River on land donated by the Clarkson Family. A history of the gate house and grounds will be included. Donations accepted. Meet at the gate house.

 

For more information about the festival, suggestions or donations - call the museum at (315) 265- 6910. Hope to see you there!


Courier and Freeman Newspapers now on line!
The Friends of the Potsdam Museum funded the Courier & Freeman Newspaper scanning project partnering with the Northern New York Library Network. You can now search the Courier& Freeman newspapers from 1861 to 1989 by linking to: http://news.nnyln.net