Our “Wish List”
Particular Artifacts The Historical Society Is Looking For:
Original 1796 Silver Castorland Jeton
These coins were given to the directors of the Compagnie de New York, who wanted to create a French settlement in Lewis County in the 1790s. There are a great many “restrikes” of this coin available, but we are looking for one of the original silver jetons.
Harrisburg Glass
For a short period of time in the 1830s, there was a glass
factory in Harrisburg that produced American folk glass with lily pad designs.
We feel strongly that a piece of this glassware should be preserved and on
display at the Lewis County Historical Society.
Paintings, Sculptures & Works of Art
Original paintings, sculptures or works
of art or art crafts of people with a connection to Lewis County or of Lewis
County scenes. Originals of Charles Melville Dewey, Levi Wells Prentice, Melvin
Brown Ray are just a few of those whose works we would love to have and be
able to display.
Lewis County Photographic Images
Photographs, prints, postcards, etc. of
noteworthy local photographers or artists or that include images or scenes of
locations or people in or around Lewis County. Henry M. Beach, George Carter,
Frank Duflo, Harry Hurd, William Mandeville are just a few of those whose
original works we would love to have.
Architecture
Images of, or artifacts from, historic locations around Lewis
County, original drawings or old photographs of original historic homes, or
actual pieces of architecture from a site.
Fashion
Locally-made articles of clothing, clothing worn by notable Lewis
County people and significant pieces that speak to a particular era.
Military
Locally-made and worn uniforms and related military materials for
local military figures.
Antique Toys
Locally-made toys or toys owned by notable families or persons
from Lewis County.
Sports
Sports memorabilia, uniforms, equipment, photographs or other
items from local school, amateur, church-league or other sports teams from
Lewis County. In particular, we’d love to be able to collect and assemble old
pictures and play lists from the many league ball teams over the last 150 years.
Posters
Old original posters reflecting Lewis County events.
Diaries
Old corporate, family or individual diaries reflecting the history of
Lewis County or growing up or operating in the area.
Scrapbooks
Noteworthy family, event or other scrapbooks reflecting the
history of Lewis County or any of its towns or communities.
Books
Old good quality books about, concerning or with some connection to
Lewis County or its environs.
Maps
We are always looking for unique, good quality antique maps of Lewis
County, Tug Hill, the Adirondacks or any of its individual tracts, towns, or
communities.
Signs
Antique and vintage signs from businesses or operations in or
connected to Lewis County, whether wood, enamel, porcelain, tin, metal,
lighted or neon.
Vintage Business Memorabilia
Old business and advertising memorabilia
marked or clearly associated with Lewis County businesses or operations.
Recordings
Oral or video histories of individuals, families or organizations
from or concerning Lewis County or any of its towns or communities.
Furniture
High-quality, unique historic or vintage pieces of furniture that was
made or assembled in Lewis County or was owned or used by notable Lewis
County families or businesses.
School Memorabilia
While we are pretty well set with respect to Lowville
Academy yearbooks, we are looking for yearbooks, photographs and event
memorabilia for both (i) the existing schools at Beaver River, Copenhagen,
South Lewis, Harrisville and Lowville Academy and (ii) the former schools that
existed in Port Leyden, Constableville, Lyons Falls, West Leyden, Turin,
Martinsburg, Greig, Castorland, and Croghan. Beyond that, we are always
looking for original photographs of, memorabilia from, and detailed
information any of the many single room schools that formerly existed
throughout the County.
Tools
Unique, vintage and/or historic tools or implements with a particular
connection to Lewis County or significant Lewis County families or businesses.
Dairy and Agriculture Industries
Good quality, well-preserved Lewis County
dairy or agricultural industry memorabilia.
Cheese Factories
We are always looking for original photographs of,
implements from, and detailed information about the many cheese factories
that used to exist all over Lewis County.
Forest, Timber and Paper Industries
We are always looking for original
photographs of, memorabilia from or unique tools used by Lewis County’s
many forest, timber and paper industry operations.
Transportation
well-preserved examples of vintage Lewis County carriages,
sleighs, wagons, stage coaches, early automobiles or other important pieces of
transportation equipment.
Hotels
Original ledgers, unique memorabilia, interior (or exterior)
photographs or notable pieces from Lewis County’s many old hotels and
taverns.
Family Histories
We are always looking for comprehensive family histories for significant Lewis County families that should be preserved for posterity.