Summer of history in Clinton County starts today
The center is featured on the cover of the 2025 Adirondack Coast Arts & History Passport, which visitors need today if they want to get their stamps on the 16th Annual Museum Day.
'Rouses Point was named after Capt. Jacques Rouse,' Brandon G. Racine, village historian, said. 'He wasn't a captain at the time. He fought in the Revolutionary War. He was born in Canada and fought with the Americans against the British. When the war was over, he didn't have a home anymore because the British considered him a traitor. So, he was like in limbo. So, they created the Nova Scotia Refugee Tract of 1783, and they gave lots according to time served.'
In addition to his own allotment, Rouse purchased 13 lots from other soldiers, who would rather have cash.
'He established a tavern and a pier on the water in between where the bridge and the fort land is,' Racine said. 'He was the first settler, so they named the town after him. He was born in 1753 around Chipoudy. His mother was Marie Comeau. They were all Acadian families. They are not sure if he was English or French. But his father, Louis Rouse, was a French soldier.'
Racine's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother was Marie Louise Rouse.
'Jacques' sister, younger by five years,' he said. 'I am a Rouse descendant.'
TRAINS & THINGS
Located in the former D & H station at 68 Pratt St., the center is replete with images and artifacts from the storied railroad's history there and beyond.
'We actually opened the station in 2014, once it was renovated through grants and everything through the village, whatever,' Robert St. John, president of the Rouses Point-Champlain Historical Society, said. 'The village actually owns the building, and then the historical society, along with the village Rouses Point historian, owns the artifacts that are inside here. This area here, which was the ticket master and station master's area, we are keeping this all railroad.'
Many artifacts were left in the building by the railroad company, and others were sourced from village residents and Vermont collectors.
The rear room features rotating two-year exhibits such as the current one on the village's history.
'We do have people that have loaned us artifacts to display, and we also have donations of artifacts that are on display,' St. John said.
The Rouses Point History and Welcome Center always coordinates its seasonal opening with Museum Days, the brainchild of Bob Parks, former Press-Republican publisher.
The event is hosted by the Adirondack Coast Cultural Alliance in conjunction with the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.
'We have reduced it to one day instead of two,' Geri Favreau, ACCA president, said. 'The hours are different. The museums were finding it too difficult. You know, everybody is looking for volunteers and stuff. It was just too difficult to be open two days and long hours. That's why we made the change this year. We all agreed. People have to refer to the poster to see open hours. Everybody is open definitely from 11 to 3. Some are open earlier. Some are open later or whatever. I would like to stress that other than those hours only for this one Saturday. They need to refer to the Passport for the rest of the year. The hours are different for everybody.'
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, participating locations will offer demonstrations, tours, exhibits, hands-on activities and more. Each museum has a unique story to tell and most are run totally by volunteers.
The Passport is available at all venues.
'Our museums help tell the unique story of the Adirondack Coast — from Indigenous roots and early settlement to military milestones, arts, and local industry. They are community treasures that thrive thanks to generous volunteers and engaged visitors,' Kristy Kennedy, vice president of marketing and tourism for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, said.
Admission fees will vary from venue to venue.
'It will be different for everyone,' Favreau said. 'Some will be charging admission. Some will have a donation jar; actually they all have a donation jar. Some of the museums, that's how they survive is on donations that they get from their visitors.'
This year's event coincides with the first of two New York State 'Path Through History' weekends, Saturday and Sunday, and Oct. 11-13.
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