Hashing Over History is now a Program of the Clayton Historian’s Office.
All programs are on Wednesdays beginning at 10:00 AM at the Thousand Islands Museum.
February 7, 2024 David Neuroth on Maple Syrup Production
February 14, 2024 Tom LaClair on WWII newsletters done by the Rotary and Lions Club
February 21, 2024 Tom LaClair on the Patterson Grocery store at Gayhead.
February 28, 2024 Paul Frickman on WWII memorabilia, artifacts and interesting finds.
March 6, 2024 Jim Flanders who worked for Clayton DOT for over 40 years will share his memories.
March 13, 2024 Tom LaClair on old scrapbooks and why they are important.
March 20, 2024 Tom LaClair on the Regal Tones, a band from Clayton.
March 27, 2024 Jeremy & Liz Kellogg on the ongoing James Street “McKinley Building” renovations
Museum Opening – The museum will open for the season on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 and will be open Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10-4.
History Boat Tour Information: Reservations are required and can be made by calling the museum at (315) 686-5794. We accept VISA and MasterCard. Get your tickets early as tours sell out quickly. If you are unable to use your teickets and notify us 48 hours before the tour, your money will be refunded.
June 12 – History Boat Tour – Wildlife tour – learn the history of the river and the wildlife along the way. The river is home to several endangered species including bald eagles. We will be traveling in a glass bottom boat and are limited to 44 passengers. Cost is $46.00 per person. Tour leaves Clayton at 5:30.
June 19 – History Boat Tour – Our first Canadian tour of the season will take us to the Admiralty Islands. This popular tour goes by Hay Island site of an unusual house with a reference to Napoleon. Learn the significance of Half Moon Bay, see a unique cable ferry among other sights. No alcohol is allowed on this cruise thru Canadian waters. Cost $46.00 per person. Tour leaves Clayton at 5:30.
June 26 – History Boat Tour – Dennis McCarthy, Director of St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation will join us to relate Carleton Island’s fascinating past. From a sunken warship to a light station put in use in 1899. Learn about the grand villa built by William Wyckoff, currently undergoing restoration to its former glory. Boat has a fully licensed bar. Cost $50.00 per person. Tour leaves Clayton at 5:30
July 10 – History Boat Tour – We will be touring around the islands which were the sites of the Gilded Age Historic Island Hotels. Cliff House, Murray Hill Hotel, Hub House, the Round Island House which became the Frontenac Hotel and then the New Frontenac Hotel, the Pullman House and several others. Learn the history of the beautiful hotels that once graced the islands. Boat has a fully licensed bar. Cost $46.00 per person. Tour leaves Clayton at 5:30.
July 17 – History Boat Tour – We will be heading to a private island once owned by Charles G. Emery. Calumet Island was the site of his summer home, Calumet Castle. Cone along with us and walk around the island. Mike Strouse, long time caretaker of the island will share stories of Mr. Emery and his castle. We will also be doing a hot dog cookout with all the fixings while on this beautiful island. Cost id $48.00 per person and boat leaves Clayton at 5:30.
July 24 – History Boat Tour – This will be our second year of heading to Thousand Island Park, home of many beautiful Victorian houses. Tom French will be guiding us on a walking tour and will pass along the history of what was established as a Methodist camp with people living in tents for the summer. We will be leaving Clayton at 4:30 to allow more time to visit the park and the wonderful museum there. Cost is $46.00 per person and we are limited to 50 people on this tour.
July 31 – History Boat Tour – Our annual trip to Cherry Island to visit Casa Blanca. Walking thru the door of this beautiful Victorian mansion is like taking a step back in time. You will see things as they were, from a player piano to an elegant dining room. A visit to the third floor shows how the servants were housed and also contains a wonderful collection of antique toys. You will be able to tour the grounds, including the laundry building and the boat house. The owner of the summer home will be providing cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the veranda. This tour fills very quickly and is usually sold out by mid-May so get your tickets early. The boat has a fully licensed bar. Cost is $46.00 per person and the boat leaves Clayton at 5:30.
Aug 7 – History Boat Tour – Join us when we head to Morgan Island to enjoy a “Traditional Shore Dinner” put on by a local fishing guide. You will be served the meal that has been a staple of fishing guides for over 150 years. From the appetizer to the dessert everything is delicious. The boat will leave at 4:30 as the trip to Morgan Island takes about an hour. There is a fully licensed bar on the boat. Cost of the trip and dinner is $90.00 per person.
Aug 14 – History Boat Tour – This is a new tour for us, we will be heading to the Summerland Group of Islands. The group includes Sport, Summerland, Ina, Hadassah and Sylvan Island just to name a few. One of the islands was once owned by the second richest woman in the world, second only to Queen Victoria. Come along and learn what she had to do to inherit her wealth. The boat includes a fully licensed bar. Cost of the ticket is $46.00 per person. Boat leaves Clayton at 5:30.
Aug 21 – History Boat Tour – The TI Museum is pleased to be able to offer for the second time a very special cruise. Archaeologist Kenneth Knapp will join us and will be presenting a lecture entitled “12,000 Years of a River and its First People”. We will cruise around Grindstone Island while you learn about the formation of the 1000 Islands and the history of its indigenous people. The boat includes a fully licensed bar. Cost of the ticket is $46.00 per person. The boat leaves Clayton at 5:30.
Aug 28 – History Boat Tour – Our second Canadian tour will be heading towards Ivy Lea. We will pass Grindstone Island before heading for the Gananoque Narrows, then on to Ivy Lea. Our return to Clayton will include a trip thru Smuggler’s Cove, the Lost Channel and Benson’s Rift. No alcohol is allowed on this cruise thru Canadian waters. Cost of ticket is $46.00 and boat leaves Clayton at 5:30.
Sept 4 – History Boat Tour – Join us as we again head to Morgan Island to enjoy a “Traditional Shore Dinner” put on by a local fishing guide. This meal has been a staple of fishing guides for over 150 years. From the appetizer to the dessert of French toast topped with real maple syrup (and a little something else), the meal is delicious. The boat will leave Clayton at 4:30 as it takes almost an hour to reach Morgan Island. There is a fully licensed bar on the boat. Ticket price is $90.00 per person.
Sept 11 – History Boat Tour – Our final tour of the season will again take us to Canadian waters and the Admiralty Islands. Always a popular tour – you will learn the significance of Half Moon Bay, see a cable ferry between two islands, among other sights. No alcohol is allowed on this tour going thru Canadian waters. Ticket price is $46.00 and boat leaves at 5:30.
History at Noon – held at the TI Museum – schedule coming soon
56th Annual Decoy/Wildlife Art & Sporting Collectibles Show & Sale – July 19 & 20 at Gordon Cerow Recreation Park Arena
ROAST PORK DINNER – Join us Friday, November 1st at the American Legion in Clayton for our annual Roast Pork Dinner.
FESTIVAL OF TREES – We are again holding our Festival of Trees which includes the Memory Tree and Christmas Raffles. Starting November 13th and running until December 20th on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10-4.
JURIED CRAFT SHOW – Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 until 4:00 – to be held at the Clayton Municipal Building. Beautiful items available for everyone on your gift list.
