THE BEGINNING OF THE COMMUNITY MUSEUM
Lorraine and Allan Bogardus established a community museum in the early 1970s at their home on River Road East. They named it after the prominent barn on the property: The Red Barn Museum. They collected items from the community and conducted programs in the summertime about history, arts, and crafts. In 1994, a group of local citizens, including Mahlon Clements, Jim Spilman, Lorraine Bogardus, David Murray, Jim Postlethwait, Ron Wright, Harvey and Pat Bender and others from surrounding communities, established the Morristown Gateway Museum. The goal at that time was to create a transportation museum with a focus on old cars. It was envisioned as a regional tourist destination. The organization acquired property at the intersection of Routes 12 and 37 but was not successful in starting a museum there. Meanwhile, Lorraine Bogardus started a regular program with Monday night concerts by local musicians during July and August. In 2005, the Gateway Museum acquired the present museum building in downtown Morristown. Shortly after, the concert committee merged into the Museum while continuing its programs.
With the passing of Allan and Lorraine Bogardus in 2016, the Gateway Museum received much of their estate including the farm house and well known Red Barn as well as 160 acres of farm land. The museum board has named the farm property, The Red Barn Preserve, and is currently working to develop these assets into a public use facility consistent with the mission statement of the museum.
With the passing of Allan and Lorraine Bogardus in 2016, the Gateway Museum received much of their estate including the farm house and well known Red Barn as well as 160 acres of farm land. The museum board has named the farm property, The Red Barn Preserve, and is currently working to develop these assets into a public use facility consistent with the mission statement of the museum.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER BUILDING WAS WAITING TO HOUSE THE GROWNING MUSEUM
In 1910, the Comstock family, owners of the Indian Root Factory, built on hall on Main Street in Morristown with a magnificent stage. It became the social center for the Town and a recreation hall for the employees of the Comstock family. In the early 1920’s, the building was sold to the village, for offices. Over the years, the building has had many owners and in 2003, the Gateway Museum purchased the building.
The stone windmill was built in 1925 and is the site for our outdoor concerts on Mondays during the summer.
Morristown’s economy in the very early 1800’s was based on naval stores. When the steamship, replaced the schooner in 1818, the township was forced to find a substitute staple. In 1825, a windmill to grind grain was built in town, but operated without much success. The most significant industry in Morristown history was the manufacture of Indian Root Pills. Other industries too, had their brief success in Morristown, a creamery and cheese factories, fire extinguishers, boat works, and graphite manufacturing. They became obsolete and Morristown had to rely on the farmland and the St. Lawrence for survival.
The present Gateway Museum building was built by the Comstock’s and originally served as a community center for employees of the Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pill Company, a turn of the century cure-all business that operated in Morristown in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Comstock family was Morristown’s most important benefactors, building the town hall, the largest hotel in town, supporting local churches and this building. Over the years, the Gateway Museum has served as a fire hall, a fire extinguisher manufacturing business and a school bus garage, before becoming the Gateway Museum.
In 1971 to celebrate Morristown’s 150th Anniversary, Lorraine and Allan Bogardus opened the Red Barn Museum to the public. In all of the treasures were transferred to this present building. We, at this Museum, hope to preserve just a glimmer of what Morristown was, in order that future generations may learn from her successes and failures. We enjoy today, as have people of Morristown for nearly two centuries, the bountiful yield of rich farmland and what we think is the world’s greatest river. In our lifetime, we have seen many changes, but the land and the river remain constant throughout our history.
The town of Morristown is positioned in Northern New York on the St. Lawrence River along the border of Canada, province of Ontario. This township is accessible to major metropolitan areas in both central New York and Canada. There are nine miles of shoreline abutting the St. Lawrence River and 45.8 square miles in the township. There are two point five miles of shoreline within the point nine square mile village lines. The St. Lawrence River comprises the Northwestern border and the Southeastern boundary includes the majority of Black Lake.
The Village of Morristown is found eleven miles upstream from the City of Ogdensburg. In the early years of the village, the bay became its most important feature. In 1817, a wharf was constructed and an early ferry crossing to Elizabethtown (now Brockville) was the precursor to river shipping, rail transportation and industrial development through the early decades of the century. In 1867, Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pill Factory was built and railroad service was brought in by 1876. Between 1974 and 1877, The St. Lawrence International Campground was establish a mile east of town. It was later renamed Terrace Park. A large hotel and ferry landing was built to welcome visitors. An early sawmill was expanded into a steam-saw and stove mill as well as a grist mill. A Canadian lumber company was built providing Morristown a lumberyard and via ferry boat, Elizabethtown also. In 1908 the Morristown-Brockville Transportation Company was formed and ran until 1952. Also, at the turn of the century, the building of Lloyd Engines began with the establishment of the Thousand Islands Boat and Engine Company. Later, in another building, the St. Lawrence skiffs were constructed.
Morristown Bay, once important for ferry traffic and shipment of locally manufactured products, is now purely recreational. There are private marinas and docking facilities available.
Black Lake lies partially in the town. It totals approximately eighteen miles in length and is three miles at its widest point. The lake is divided in the middle by a causeway. Every year, thousand of vacationers visit the lake which is noted for its fishing of black bass, northern pike and pan fish. The lake warms very early and is therefore a perfect place for swimming and water sports. In the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling are favorite activities.
The Stone Windmill
The stone windmill was built in 1825 by Hugh McConnell. It was constructed to be operated solely by wind, unlike others that were aided by water power. The mill only operated in this fashion for a year due to the unfortunate drowning of Mr. McConnell. In 1826 the mill ceased its operation. Due to Mr. McConnell’s death, the mill was abandoned and sat idle for years. The wooden vanes deteriorated and fell off. The 40 inch thick, 77 feet in circumference and 40 feet in height stone walls remained intact.
Although the design intent of the windmill was only used for a short time, the mill has seen a variety of other uses. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the mill was utilized as the Morristown jail. During this period of the mill’s life, the windows were barred. During World War II, three flights of stairs were added and the roof altered to provide a round room at the top to accommodate an Air Raid Warning System. During the late 1940’s, the windmill was used as the Morristown Post of the American Legion Club. In 1989, vanes were placed on the Windmill in Chapman Park.
The windmill and property came into possession of the Chapman family and was donated to the village by Charles Chapman (a noted artist) in memory of his mother, Laura. This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are eight buildings in the Village of Morristown that have been placed on the National Historic Register:
1. Stone Windmill
2. Stone School House, between Gouverneur St. and Main St.
3. Samuel Stocking House, called the Hawk’s Nest, located on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
4. Morristown United Methodist Church, on Gouverneur St.
5. Jacob Ford House, off Northumberland
6. Paschal Miller House, on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
7. Stone Store on Main Street, which is Wright’s Marine
8. Land Office, which is now the Public Library on Chapman and Main Street
Samuel Stocking House - located on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
The Samuel Stocking House is one of St. Lawrence County’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in a domestic structure. The house was built by Samuel Stocking in 1821. Within two decades, he had sold the house and property to Augustus Chapman, who made Morristown his home and whose family was instrumental in developing the village.
Frank Chapman House – located on Gouverneur Street
This decorative house was built in 1878 and is Morristown’s best preserved example of the Gothic Revival style. Frank Chapman, Augustus’s grandson, was active in village government during the last half of the 19th century. When the village was incorporated in 1884, he served as one of the first village trustees.
The United Methodist Church - located on Gouverneur Street
This church was originally a Presbyterian Church erected in 1838. The first Methodists came to Morristown and built their first church in 1848. In 1952 the Methodist and Presbyterian churches entered into a union and subsequently the original Methodist Church was torn down and the Presbyterian Church became the present Methodist Church.
St. John’s Church - located on Gouverneur Street
St. John’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1878. It is tiny in scale, being only 87 x 20 feet. In 1937 an annex was added. The church is a vernacular version of the Gothic Revival style. In 1978 St. John’s was the smallest mission church in the Ogdensburg diocese. This church has since been removed.
Pine Hill Cemetery – located off Ann Street
The lovely Pine Hill Cemetery became the resting place of the Chapman family. The Chapmans, who were early benefactors of the community, donated this land as a burial place. Just over the hill lies the Greenwood Cemetery. Here lies some of the earliest settlers in the community with burials dating back to 1810.
Christ Episcopal Church – located on the corner of Main and Water Street
This church was erected in 1834. It is the oldest religious structure remaining in the village. Although altered, it retains its historic presence and houses a Tiffany altar window and a Charles Chapman mural.
The Stone Schoolhouse – located between Main and Gouverneur Street
This quaint stone structure was the first village schoolhouse, constructed in 1824. The one-room building was used until 1887. Later it served as a family dwelling, the Village Hall, and finally, a power substation. In 1973 it was acquired by the Morristown Foundation and deeded to the Village.
Frontier National Bank – located on Main Street
The bank was established in 1906. It was Morristown’s only bank and survived until 1941. It was the Town and Village Clerk’s offices at one time. The pressed metal siding is a forerunner to modern sidings. Presently, a bank is occupying the space and the original bank vault is still in use.
Brick/Stone House – located on Main Street next to the bank
This pre-Civil War residence in an example of a simplified Greek Revival structure that was built in the mid-1800. Both brick and stone were used in its construction.
Commercial Row – located on Main Street
Across from the Frontier National Bank and the Brick/Stone house are remnants of a once-flourishing row of Victorian commercial buildings. About one half of the predominantly Italianate style structures remain. Although they are somewhat altered and modernized, their bracketed roof lines indicate that they were constructed between 1870 and 1900, a period of great prosperity in
Morristown.
Frontier House -
This early wooden framed structure became the Frontier Hotel after the original Frontier House, located further down Main Street, burned. The building once housed a boys’ school.
Morristown Bay Overlook – Water Street
Just beyond the Frontier House is a grassy slope overlooking Morristown Bay. The waterfront area supported much of Morristown’s early trade. John Canfield build the first storehouse and wharf in 1817 and until 1953, a car ferry ran to Brockville, Ontario. This was the site of a Customs House, established in 1856; the Comstock Pill Factory (1867); and the first railroad station. Trains entered the village by tracks which ran along the waterfront from 1875 until 1958.
Jacob Ford House - off Northumberland
Across the Bay lies Morristown’s best surviving example of a stone house in the Federal style with Colonial Revival modifications. Known locally as the Chapman House, it was build in 1837 by Jacob Ford, the son of David Ford. It was later owned by Charles Chapman, who used the home for summer art classes until his death.
Richard B. Chapman House (Masonic Temple) – Main Street
While possessing little architectural significance in its present condition, the house was built around 1850 in the Gothic Revival style. Members of the Chapman family, who ran several businesses including the Stone Store, the Land Office and lumber yard, lived there. It became the Masonic Temple in 1940. The house was purchased in 2013 by a local person and is undergoing a complete renovation.
Paschal Miller House - on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
This house was constructed around 1840. It combines elements of Greek Revival and Federal styles. This unique house has a “cup and saucer” appearance, a regional term given to this type of architectures. Pascal Miller was Town Supervisor from 1825-1826.
Augustus Chapman Store (Wright’s Marina) – Main Street
The stone sore was built in 1821 by Augustus Chapman and his partner, James Averill, making it one of the village’s earliest commercial buildings. At one time it was a steam powered lumber mill. It was always prominent in active trade with Canadian businesses in addition to serving early inhabitants.
Terrace Park
Started in 1874 as a unique church camp overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this small but densely settled site still contains two cottages of architectural interest for their respective picturesque Gothic Revival styles.
Former Military Academy
(Date and Builder unknown) This stone and clapboard residence was originally build in the post-Civil War period and was briefly occupied as a military school. It is believed to have been the first split level stone house in the area.
Coppernall House
(Date and Builder unknown) Also known as the White Birches, the Coppernall House (so named for its former residents of many years) was probably built in the 1880’s. The two-story clapboard structure is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture.
Red Barn Museum and former Chapman Farmhouse
(Date and Builder unknown)
The original barn and stone house were probably built around 1832 when the property was owned by Richard D. Chapman. The first occupants may have been tenants. The present barn (built in 1904 to replace the original after it burned a year earlier) was opened as a museum in 1971 by Allan and Loraine Bogardus. With the passing of Allan Bogardus in 2016 the Farm was bequeathed to the Gateway Museum. The museum named the property The Red Barn Preserve and are currently working to develop the site into a public use facility.
Sarah Goodwin House
(Date and Builder unknown) This cottage style house was build of native stone. It probably dates back to over 130 years ago.
Information concerning the history of these buildings was a combination of historical notes found in the Gateway Museum and records.
The stone windmill was built in 1925 and is the site for our outdoor concerts on Mondays during the summer.
Morristown’s economy in the very early 1800’s was based on naval stores. When the steamship, replaced the schooner in 1818, the township was forced to find a substitute staple. In 1825, a windmill to grind grain was built in town, but operated without much success. The most significant industry in Morristown history was the manufacture of Indian Root Pills. Other industries too, had their brief success in Morristown, a creamery and cheese factories, fire extinguishers, boat works, and graphite manufacturing. They became obsolete and Morristown had to rely on the farmland and the St. Lawrence for survival.
The present Gateway Museum building was built by the Comstock’s and originally served as a community center for employees of the Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pill Company, a turn of the century cure-all business that operated in Morristown in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Comstock family was Morristown’s most important benefactors, building the town hall, the largest hotel in town, supporting local churches and this building. Over the years, the Gateway Museum has served as a fire hall, a fire extinguisher manufacturing business and a school bus garage, before becoming the Gateway Museum.
In 1971 to celebrate Morristown’s 150th Anniversary, Lorraine and Allan Bogardus opened the Red Barn Museum to the public. In all of the treasures were transferred to this present building. We, at this Museum, hope to preserve just a glimmer of what Morristown was, in order that future generations may learn from her successes and failures. We enjoy today, as have people of Morristown for nearly two centuries, the bountiful yield of rich farmland and what we think is the world’s greatest river. In our lifetime, we have seen many changes, but the land and the river remain constant throughout our history.
The town of Morristown is positioned in Northern New York on the St. Lawrence River along the border of Canada, province of Ontario. This township is accessible to major metropolitan areas in both central New York and Canada. There are nine miles of shoreline abutting the St. Lawrence River and 45.8 square miles in the township. There are two point five miles of shoreline within the point nine square mile village lines. The St. Lawrence River comprises the Northwestern border and the Southeastern boundary includes the majority of Black Lake.
The Village of Morristown is found eleven miles upstream from the City of Ogdensburg. In the early years of the village, the bay became its most important feature. In 1817, a wharf was constructed and an early ferry crossing to Elizabethtown (now Brockville) was the precursor to river shipping, rail transportation and industrial development through the early decades of the century. In 1867, Dr. Morse’s Indian Root Pill Factory was built and railroad service was brought in by 1876. Between 1974 and 1877, The St. Lawrence International Campground was establish a mile east of town. It was later renamed Terrace Park. A large hotel and ferry landing was built to welcome visitors. An early sawmill was expanded into a steam-saw and stove mill as well as a grist mill. A Canadian lumber company was built providing Morristown a lumberyard and via ferry boat, Elizabethtown also. In 1908 the Morristown-Brockville Transportation Company was formed and ran until 1952. Also, at the turn of the century, the building of Lloyd Engines began with the establishment of the Thousand Islands Boat and Engine Company. Later, in another building, the St. Lawrence skiffs were constructed.
Morristown Bay, once important for ferry traffic and shipment of locally manufactured products, is now purely recreational. There are private marinas and docking facilities available.
Black Lake lies partially in the town. It totals approximately eighteen miles in length and is three miles at its widest point. The lake is divided in the middle by a causeway. Every year, thousand of vacationers visit the lake which is noted for its fishing of black bass, northern pike and pan fish. The lake warms very early and is therefore a perfect place for swimming and water sports. In the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling are favorite activities.
The Stone Windmill
The stone windmill was built in 1825 by Hugh McConnell. It was constructed to be operated solely by wind, unlike others that were aided by water power. The mill only operated in this fashion for a year due to the unfortunate drowning of Mr. McConnell. In 1826 the mill ceased its operation. Due to Mr. McConnell’s death, the mill was abandoned and sat idle for years. The wooden vanes deteriorated and fell off. The 40 inch thick, 77 feet in circumference and 40 feet in height stone walls remained intact.
Although the design intent of the windmill was only used for a short time, the mill has seen a variety of other uses. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the mill was utilized as the Morristown jail. During this period of the mill’s life, the windows were barred. During World War II, three flights of stairs were added and the roof altered to provide a round room at the top to accommodate an Air Raid Warning System. During the late 1940’s, the windmill was used as the Morristown Post of the American Legion Club. In 1989, vanes were placed on the Windmill in Chapman Park.
The windmill and property came into possession of the Chapman family and was donated to the village by Charles Chapman (a noted artist) in memory of his mother, Laura. This structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are eight buildings in the Village of Morristown that have been placed on the National Historic Register:
1. Stone Windmill
2. Stone School House, between Gouverneur St. and Main St.
3. Samuel Stocking House, called the Hawk’s Nest, located on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
4. Morristown United Methodist Church, on Gouverneur St.
5. Jacob Ford House, off Northumberland
6. Paschal Miller House, on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
7. Stone Store on Main Street, which is Wright’s Marine
8. Land Office, which is now the Public Library on Chapman and Main Street
Samuel Stocking House - located on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
The Samuel Stocking House is one of St. Lawrence County’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in a domestic structure. The house was built by Samuel Stocking in 1821. Within two decades, he had sold the house and property to Augustus Chapman, who made Morristown his home and whose family was instrumental in developing the village.
Frank Chapman House – located on Gouverneur Street
This decorative house was built in 1878 and is Morristown’s best preserved example of the Gothic Revival style. Frank Chapman, Augustus’s grandson, was active in village government during the last half of the 19th century. When the village was incorporated in 1884, he served as one of the first village trustees.
The United Methodist Church - located on Gouverneur Street
This church was originally a Presbyterian Church erected in 1838. The first Methodists came to Morristown and built their first church in 1848. In 1952 the Methodist and Presbyterian churches entered into a union and subsequently the original Methodist Church was torn down and the Presbyterian Church became the present Methodist Church.
St. John’s Church - located on Gouverneur Street
St. John’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1878. It is tiny in scale, being only 87 x 20 feet. In 1937 an annex was added. The church is a vernacular version of the Gothic Revival style. In 1978 St. John’s was the smallest mission church in the Ogdensburg diocese. This church has since been removed.
Pine Hill Cemetery – located off Ann Street
The lovely Pine Hill Cemetery became the resting place of the Chapman family. The Chapmans, who were early benefactors of the community, donated this land as a burial place. Just over the hill lies the Greenwood Cemetery. Here lies some of the earliest settlers in the community with burials dating back to 1810.
Christ Episcopal Church – located on the corner of Main and Water Street
This church was erected in 1834. It is the oldest religious structure remaining in the village. Although altered, it retains its historic presence and houses a Tiffany altar window and a Charles Chapman mural.
The Stone Schoolhouse – located between Main and Gouverneur Street
This quaint stone structure was the first village schoolhouse, constructed in 1824. The one-room building was used until 1887. Later it served as a family dwelling, the Village Hall, and finally, a power substation. In 1973 it was acquired by the Morristown Foundation and deeded to the Village.
Frontier National Bank – located on Main Street
The bank was established in 1906. It was Morristown’s only bank and survived until 1941. It was the Town and Village Clerk’s offices at one time. The pressed metal siding is a forerunner to modern sidings. Presently, a bank is occupying the space and the original bank vault is still in use.
Brick/Stone House – located on Main Street next to the bank
This pre-Civil War residence in an example of a simplified Greek Revival structure that was built in the mid-1800. Both brick and stone were used in its construction.
Commercial Row – located on Main Street
Across from the Frontier National Bank and the Brick/Stone house are remnants of a once-flourishing row of Victorian commercial buildings. About one half of the predominantly Italianate style structures remain. Although they are somewhat altered and modernized, their bracketed roof lines indicate that they were constructed between 1870 and 1900, a period of great prosperity in
Morristown.
Frontier House -
This early wooden framed structure became the Frontier Hotel after the original Frontier House, located further down Main Street, burned. The building once housed a boys’ school.
Morristown Bay Overlook – Water Street
Just beyond the Frontier House is a grassy slope overlooking Morristown Bay. The waterfront area supported much of Morristown’s early trade. John Canfield build the first storehouse and wharf in 1817 and until 1953, a car ferry ran to Brockville, Ontario. This was the site of a Customs House, established in 1856; the Comstock Pill Factory (1867); and the first railroad station. Trains entered the village by tracks which ran along the waterfront from 1875 until 1958.
Jacob Ford House - off Northumberland
Across the Bay lies Morristown’s best surviving example of a stone house in the Federal style with Colonial Revival modifications. Known locally as the Chapman House, it was build in 1837 by Jacob Ford, the son of David Ford. It was later owned by Charles Chapman, who used the home for summer art classes until his death.
Richard B. Chapman House (Masonic Temple) – Main Street
While possessing little architectural significance in its present condition, the house was built around 1850 in the Gothic Revival style. Members of the Chapman family, who ran several businesses including the Stone Store, the Land Office and lumber yard, lived there. It became the Masonic Temple in 1940. The house was purchased in 2013 by a local person and is undergoing a complete renovation.
Paschal Miller House - on the corner of Gouverneur and Morris St.
This house was constructed around 1840. It combines elements of Greek Revival and Federal styles. This unique house has a “cup and saucer” appearance, a regional term given to this type of architectures. Pascal Miller was Town Supervisor from 1825-1826.
Augustus Chapman Store (Wright’s Marina) – Main Street
The stone sore was built in 1821 by Augustus Chapman and his partner, James Averill, making it one of the village’s earliest commercial buildings. At one time it was a steam powered lumber mill. It was always prominent in active trade with Canadian businesses in addition to serving early inhabitants.
Terrace Park
Started in 1874 as a unique church camp overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this small but densely settled site still contains two cottages of architectural interest for their respective picturesque Gothic Revival styles.
Former Military Academy
(Date and Builder unknown) This stone and clapboard residence was originally build in the post-Civil War period and was briefly occupied as a military school. It is believed to have been the first split level stone house in the area.
Coppernall House
(Date and Builder unknown) Also known as the White Birches, the Coppernall House (so named for its former residents of many years) was probably built in the 1880’s. The two-story clapboard structure is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture.
Red Barn Museum and former Chapman Farmhouse
(Date and Builder unknown)
The original barn and stone house were probably built around 1832 when the property was owned by Richard D. Chapman. The first occupants may have been tenants. The present barn (built in 1904 to replace the original after it burned a year earlier) was opened as a museum in 1971 by Allan and Loraine Bogardus. With the passing of Allan Bogardus in 2016 the Farm was bequeathed to the Gateway Museum. The museum named the property The Red Barn Preserve and are currently working to develop the site into a public use facility.
Sarah Goodwin House
(Date and Builder unknown) This cottage style house was build of native stone. It probably dates back to over 130 years ago.
Information concerning the history of these buildings was a combination of historical notes found in the Gateway Museum and records.
