BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – Visitors to the Canton Historian’s Office can now simply walk through the front door to view a roomful of rich Canton history.

An open house to celebrate the opening of the new historian’s complex, 7 Main St., will be held Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. Light refreshments, including Town Hall cookies, will be offered.

The doors and now open for public viewing. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 to 3 p.m., and Thursday from 10 to 2 p.m. The office phone number is (315) 386-1633 and the website is historian@cantonny.gov

“It’s unreal. There is a research room created by Renice Bisnett who is 90 years young, adult and children’s libraries, a kitchen and a display of model ships donated by Frank White who is 104,” said Canton Historian Linda Casserly. “There are no stairs so people can just walk in and see all the history of Canton that was previously stored in one room.”

The 1858 hand drawn map of the Town of Canton is hung in the entrance hallway, photos of the township made available by Dennis Barr will be on display and a video comprised of 350 photos will be available for viewing at the open house, said Casserly.

There is also a photo room of the townships of Morley, Pyrites, Village of Rensselaer Falls, hamlet of Brick Chapel and Crary Mills Cemetery.

“I want to thank everyone that helped make this move of the historical collection a reality,” she stated. “The community has been stopping by and enjoying the access to the history of Canton.”

Casserly also applauded the work Rachael Towne who works five hours per week in the Historian’s Office. Towne works full-time at the Canton Free Library and has worked as a volunteer with Casserly for the past 9 years.

Since 1994, the historian’s office has been located in a one-office space room on the second floor of the Canton Municipal Building.

In August, members of the Canton Town Board unanimously agreed to enter into a two-year lease with building owner Allison Burris of Allivid Corp., Oswego. The agreement calls for a monthly rent of $1,150 the first year and $1,200 the second year. The payment includes utilities.

The 7 Main Street space formerly housed the Church & Community Program headquarters and decades ago was Kaplan’s store.