Explore three floors of exhibits.
Featured Main floor exhibits tell of life among the Islands.
Fitzgerald & Lee, Boat Builders of Alexandria Bay, is the featured exhibit for 2016-2022.
The accidental discovery of the Fitzgerald & Lee business records is one of the most significant finds for classic boating enthusiasts. The material included sixty-four John Hacker blueprints and a complete Gar Wood dealer file. For twenty-one years, from 1920 to 1941, this local firm built extraordinary custom boats up to 44 feet in length and was Gar Wood’s highest volume sales dealership. This superb boat building firm that was nearly forgotten, has become one of the leading stories in local classic boating history.
Crossmon House original, restored Pool Table
The Crossmon House pool table was discovered in a home in Watertown, NY by Bruce and Katie Stiles, of Saranac Lake, who spent countless hours restoring it to it’s prior glory. The Stiles’ sold the table to Ryan and Tara Johnston who graciously loaned the pool table to our museum for two years. Stop by to see this beauty!
United States Post Office window, was originally in this building in the 1950’s and 60’s. Donated by the Hudon family, restored by Brian Hudon and mounted for presentation by Putnam Builders.
New Akwesasne Exhibit
Alexandria Bay, NY (June 24, 2024) The Alexandria Township Historical Society (ATHS) is proud to announce the
arrival of a new exhibit on loan from the Akwesasne Cultural Center in Akwesasne, NY. This latest addition to the
Cornwall Brothers Store Museum is set to enlighten visitors about the indigenous peoples who thrived in the
region before the era of European settlement.
“We are beyond excited about this exhibit” said Teri Bruno, the Museum Director. “Its an excellent opportunity
for our visitors to explore the rich traditions and cultural heritage of the Akwesasne community. The beautifully
crafted eight-panel display showcases traditional arts, fine crafts, education, and work of the Akwesasne
people.”
Museum-goers can immerse themselves in the experience by listening to recorded spoken commentaries of the
individuals featured in the display. This interactive element allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the
cultural significance behind each photo. The commentaries are available in French, English, and Mohawk.
The exhibit from the Akwesasne Cultural Center is currently on display at the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum,
located at 36 Market Street in Alexandria Bay. The exhibit will remain open for public viewing until September
24, 2024. While there is no admission fee to visit the Museum, donations are welcomed to support the
preservation of local history.
Islander: Steamship to Shipwreck, is a multimedia exhibit about the steamship Islander, with a narrated video of scuba divers exploring the wreck. Islander was a 125′ wooden side-wheel steamer that ran the waters of the St. Lawrence beginning in 1872. She caught fire and sank at the Cornwall docks in September of 1909. The wreck of the Islander is now a popular dive site.
Now on Upstairs
~Round the Houses Race features information, photographs, and the paintings of Bill Northup and Ron Spooner to highlight the 75 mile race which was a major annual attraction in Alexandria Bay from 1936 to 1940. The race was sponsored by the Automobile Racing Club of America and was organized by brothers Thomas and William Dewart, seasonal residents of the Keewaydin Estate.
Below is one of the classic autos that participated on our opening day of this exhibit:
Adventure Town artifacts and photographs are featured on the second floor along with the Wells Collection of Thousand Islands Memorabilia and numerous displays of duck decoys and the history of boats, hotels and everyday life in the St. Lawrence River Communities.
Other second floor exhibits feature Hutchinson Boat Works and George Pullman and his influence in developing the Thousand Islands as a playground of some of Americas wealthiest families. Also Hotels of the Gilded Age in the Thousand Islands tells the stories of many of the grand hotels that graced the shores and islands of the St. Lawrence River in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Permanent exhibits relate to River life, the unique history of the area and the development of tourism in the 1000 Islands. Local artists, craftsmen and artisans have employed their creativity and workmanship to use the River and its environs to create several industries inherent to this area. Visitors are also welcome to visit the quiet library corner.
The War of 1812: The Battle of Cranberry Creek
Parts of this special exhibit are now displayed in the stairway of the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum.
On July 21, 1813, a small crew of American privateers successfully repelled a much larger British force attempting to recapture supplies and vessels captured by the Americans on the strategically important St. Lawrence River. This minor two-hour skirmish resulted in seven dead.
Downstairs Exhibits Include:
Memories of the Marathons: 1954-1972, tells the story of the Thousand Islands International Marathon races, an exciting 100-mile boat race that drew racers from across North America and thousands of spectators to the village of Alexandria Bay. The exhibit includes vintage artifacts, a first-place winning race boat from 1964, photos and video of the races.
History of The Thousand Islands Sun follows the local newspaper from the time the first paper rolled off the press in 1901 through the present day. “Everything in the 1000 Islands Revolves Around the Sun” has come to be the apt motto of the publication that keeps us informed about all things local.
The wood stove rescued by Horace “Hod” Willix from the devastating fire that destroyed the Odd Fellows Hall and the Thousand Island Printing Office provides more interest to the workshop display. A work bench with a collection of hand and larger tools used by local craftsmen exemplifies a typical early era workshop.
Mural of 19th Century Cornwall Brothers Dock Scene, completed in 2018 by local artist Kelly Curry to be a permanent embellishment to the cellar exhibit area. This vibrant mural brings to life the bustle of the Cornwall Brothers dock, an early center of commerce in Alexandria Bay.
