ST. LAWRENCE POWER
& EQUIPMENT MUSEUM
The St.
Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum is a tax-exempt, education
corporation, provisionally chartered by the Board of Regents of the State
University of New York. Its roots go back to the former St. Lawrence Gas &
Steam Engine Association formed in 1976. The membership and assets of the
Association were transferred to the Museum immediately after it received its
charter in 2004.
The Museum is
now prepared to serve its members and the community by expanding its collection
of early engines and machines, securing a permanent museum site, establishing
storage and display facilities, providing tax benefits to those making
contributions, and assuring that a sustainable basis is established for future
generations. The Museum’s operations are governed by education corporation law
and by regulations enforced by the Board of Regents that require a collection
management policy, fiscal responsibility, and high ethical standards among
others.
During 2006,
the Museum expects to achieve its first major objective, acquiring a property
on which it can develop permanent facilities. Two sites have been identified
that meet initial requirements. These include a central location in St.
Lawrence County; a farm setting with house, barn, and out buildings; 100+ acres
with fields for cultivation; and location on good roads. Each site may have
additional features such as a stream, adjacent railway, rental income, or
access to public utilities. Each has been offered exclusively for sale to the
Museum.
The St. Lawrence
Power & Equipment Museum shall preserve the power systems, equipment and
related knowledge and skills that were an integral part of the development of
the North Country, especially the region of the
At exhibitions
there will be displays of antique engines and equipment from the Museum’s
collection and from the private collections of its members. The displays will
demonstrate their operation and use. Many early power and equipment systems
utilized readily understood mechanical principles still in use today. These are
not only instructive when seen in action, but fun to operate as well. Through
its activities, the Museum will provide an exciting environment that will
stimulate young minds, promote involvement in history and technology, and
encourage recollection and reflection among older members of the community.
Since its
beginning, the Museum has been driven by its members. The board of trustees and
officers of the Museum hold fiduciary responsibility. However, they are elected
directly by members. Officers make decisions and provide direction after
seeking member consensus and support. There is no paid staff.
Members are
the mainstay of the two annual exhibitions. The displays and demonstrations of
antique engines and equipment from their own collections are a major component.
At least half of the nearly 300 members will participate in at least one show
each year.
Members restore,
operate and demonstrate Museum equipment. They provide the labor for setting up
show facilities and operate the kitchen to feed visitors. They raise money for
development of the Museum, assuring that virtually 100% of all contributions
benefits the Museum. Members contribute funds to purchase items for the
Museum’s collection and for restoration work.
There is a consensus among
members and trustees that the physical facilities of the St. Lawrence Power
& Equipment Museum should include the features listed below. Priorities
will be established and modified by annual short- and long-term planning
1. Buildings
for storage, maintenance and repair of items in the Museum’s collection.
2.
Special displays under roof including:
Ø Large steam and
diesel engines powering saw mills and other machines.
Ø An early electric
power generating plant.
3.
Protected and open areas for Museum members’ displays.
4.
A Main Street with original or reproduced period houses,
blacksmith shop, school, printing shop, gas station, and church among others –
each fitted with period items.
5.
Farmsteads reflecting the profound changes brought about by the
evolution of power sources and equipment. Each will be furnished and
appropriately equipped.
Ø A pioneer cabin
with animal pens and a wood-ash fertilizer production facility.
Ø An early farm
featuring draft horses and horse-drawn equipment.
Ø A 1930’s farm
where tractors take the place of horses.
Ø A post WWII farm
with early modern tractors and electrical service.
6.
A water turbine powering a mill (dependent on availability of water).
7.
An early railroad depot that once served the area.
8.
Heritage orchards and gardens.
9.
Potable water, electricity, and toilets available for public use.
10. A
food concession facility to serve visitors and generate income.
11. A
pavilion for entertainment and picnics.
12. Open
fields for planting and harvesting demonstrations.
13. Areas
for parking, suitable access roads and walkways.
14. An
area for campers.
15. An
honor wall recognizing those who have provided financial support for the
Museum.
A New,
Broader Vision
Each year, the
Museum holds two exhibitions, participates in two others, and provides displays
for parades and other special occasions. Its Annual Antique Gas & Steam
Engine Exhibition in June attracts 1400 participants and visitors. It is
held at the Canton Sportsman’s Club near Canton, NY. The Museum’s Old
Fashioned Harvest Days takes place during Labor Day weekend, attracting
nearly 2000.
The June show
has featured engines and tractors. The Labor Day weekend exhibition emphasizes
harvest activities. This year draft horses and horse-drawn equipment were
added. A permanent site will make it possible to demonstrate many other aspects
of earlier life in the North Country and to offer many more events.
Other
organizations and individuals will be welcomed to the site, providing a broader
range of exhibits and instruction. They can design, finance, and construct
facilities suited to the Museum’s mission. Draft horse enthusiasts can oversee
the early farm display and demonstrate the use of horse-drawn equipment. A
printing club can operate a print shop on Main Street. Poultry fanciers can be
invited to construct period facilities for poultry and to join the shows.
Antique auto enthusiasts would be invited to furnish and provide a living
display at an early gas station.
The new site
will benefit groups and clubs without means of having their own facilities. In
turn, they will support the activities of the Museum. By reaching out to other
organizations, the Museum’s facilities can be greatly expanded to achieve its
mission and enrich the community.
The goals for
the Museum immediately following acquisition of a property include:
1.
Implementing a financial plan to
underwrite the operation and maintenance of the facility and activities of the
Museum.
2.
Preparing a long-term site development plan to assure early
constructions will be useful and consistent with those of the future.
3.
Erecting a building for storage and routine maintenance of items in the
collection.
4.
Promoting contribution to the Museum of antique power and equipment
items from individuals among the community.
Near-Term Educational
Programs
The two annual exhibitions, the
annual Antique Gas & Steam Engine Show and Old
Fashioned Harvest Days, will remain major Museum programs. Following the
concept of a living museum, the role of power systems and equipment of the
1800’s and first half of the 1900’s will be displayed. New emphasis will be
placed on teaching and explanation:
Ø How they
supported the growth and development of the region.
Ø What life was
like before their introduction.
Ø The impact they
made on productivity and the quality of life.
Explanation will be improved
through use of explanatory signs and expanded verbal presentations. Power
systems and equipment will be operated to demonstrate their actual use at the
time they were built and first employed. Where possible, visitors as well as
members of the Museum will be invited to experience hands-on activities. With instruction in their safe operation,
they will be able to participate in a variety of tasks ranging from making
apple cider to plowing fields.
At the new site, new construction
will provide opportunity to demonstrate the use of period equipment such as
sawmills, planers, draft horses, tractors, and wagons. Where practical, period
construction methods will also be used and demonstrated. Repair of existing buildings or relocation of
early structures to the site will similarly provide opportunity. Community and
member participation will be encouraged.
The barns,
lofts and attics of the old farms and homes of the
Within a few
years, both annual exhibitions will be held at the permanent site. With
established storage and display facilities and a growing collection, it will be
possible to begin special events at other times of the year as well. Some will
be agricultural such as crop cultivation or hay mowing. Others will focus on
homemaking activities such as woodstove cooking and churning butter. Classes
will be held on repair, restoration and operation of antique engines and
tractors.
The success of
the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum will depend on the continuing
support of its members, further donations and acquisitions for its collections,
those who attend the shows and displays, and the good will of those who will
provide financial support.