Jefferson County Historical Society MuseumWelcome to the Jefferson County Historical Society

The Jefferson County Historical Society, founded in 1886, is the primary organization in Jefferson County, New York that collects artifacts, books, and documents that reflect the entire history of the county, including every geographical area and every chronological period. We preserve the history that makes Jefferson County a special place to live, work, and visit. Originally housed in the Flower Memorial Library, today the Society is located in the beautiful 19th century Paddock Mansion.
Learn about the Society, its Board and Staff.


Featured Events and News

Society Calendar updated December 29, 2011
Note: The Museum will be closed December 31st and reopens on January 3rd.

The Presidents are back!

President LincolnWe just received word that the conservation work on our two Abraham Lincoln documents that were displayed in last February’s Presidential Papers exhibit is complete.

A special thank you to all who contributed to the conservation fund, especially Timeless Frames , Robert Kimball, MD & Beth Linderman, Dr. Andrew Crossley Family, and the Daughters of the American Revolution who awarded the museum a matching grant to help cover the conservation costs. Thank you all for your generous support.

In celebration, the museum will unveil the two newly restored documents in our Gems exhibit in January. Thank you again to our sponsors for helping to preserve this important part of American history.

The Art of Rag Rugs

Rag rugJanuary 10th 10:30 - 12:00pm

Learn the vintage art of recycling old clothing and linens into beautiful heirloom rugs.

Call 782-3491 for a list of supplies, cost, reservation


Become a History Detective II

History DetectiveJoin us on January 14th (1:30-3:00pm) for our second “Museum History Detectives” program. This family oriented program offers a chance to find history treasures at the Museum. This is an “Operation Yellow Ribbon” program.

The family quest is to find some of local history’s greatest treasures by searching the museum and grounds from top to bottom. A Detective List with clues is available at the front desk. During the hunt you will explore the Paddock Mansion, Victorian Gardens, Log Cabin, One Room Schoolhouse and Carriage Barn. Participants will collect a reward after completing their search and become honorary “JCHS History Detectives”.

Join the fun and experience the history of Jefferson County by signing up at the Museum’s front desk. For details call the museum at 315-782-3491.

Calling All Quilters!

QuiltingYears ago the museum hosted a quilting group that met in the barn once a month. The members met to experiment with new quilting patterns, work on group quilt projects, and enjoy some good old fashioned community. We think that’s an old tradition worth reviving!

So- calling all quilters! Beginners, masters, and every level in between- the museum’s quilting group is back! Our current project is the Seaway Trail’s War of 1812 Quilt Challenge. The objective is to recreate a cot quilt- a narrow quilt measuring approximately 30” x 70”- using historically inspired fabrics and colors. Group quilts will be raffled off to support the museum. It is free to join. For more information contact Lenka Walldroff at the museum: 782-3491 or
curator@jefferson countyhistory.org.

Business/ Living articles

NNY Business MagazineCheck out our articles in the NNY Business magazine and the bi-monthly NNY Living magazine. The new articles were written about North Country portrait artist Theodore Gegoux and Watertown newspaper editor John Haddock’s harrowing hot air balloon adventure in 1859. The articles are due to come out in January and February respectively. The museum is a regular contributor to both magazines - pick up a copy when you see them.

Exhibit Highlights

Fire Fighting in the North Country

Fire Fighting ExhibitThe Fire Fighting in the North Country exhibit opened in August and will be on display until January of 2012. The exhibit recounts the history of firefighting efforts in Watertown, from the incorporation of the city in 1816 to the present day. The exhibit details little known facts like mandatory volunteer service by all male citizens of Watertown, epic Watertown fires, and a section detailing the fire department’s cart horses. Artifacts on display include a nearly complete Gamewell fire system and objects from the Watertown, Carthage, West Carthage, Three Mile Bay and Town of Hounsfield Fire Departments.

Gems...

#The JCHS is kicking off the New Year with a new exhibit. Simply called Gems, the exhibit features rarely seen objects in our collection. From a 19th century typewriter intricately inlaid with mother of pearl, to beautiful oil paintings, and Confederate war bonds to the weapon used in an infamous Sackets Harbor murder, you won’t believe the treasures that are living in the museum’s collection.

The exhibit will also feature a space devoted to new accessions- a select number of recent donations that have been accepted into the museum’s collection. Updated quarterly, this exhibit is sure to keep you surprised.

Hunting & Fishing exhibit: “Go Fish!”

We are in the planning stages of our new upcoming main gallery exhibit. Called Go Fish, the exhibit will showcase the museum’s collection of antique firearms, hunting and fishing paraphernalia, photographs, and taxidermied animals. The exhibit is tentatively scheduled to open in July and run until December of 2012.



Our Partners

Jefferson County, NY City of Watertown, NY NNY Community Foundation Walker Associates
Jefferson County, NY City of Watertown, NY Northern New York
Community Foundation, Inc.		 Walker Associates
Slack Chemical Co. Clarence Henry Coach NY State Council on the Arts Westtelcom
Slack Chemical Co. Clarence Henry Coach, LLC New York State
Council on the Arts		 Hosting by Westelcom