Everywhere I look I see signs that Spring is returning to the North Country. Our first signs of this included the sightings of the blue herons in the Rookery. As we have been reporting for the last Month- our Blue Heron Rookery has over 60 nests and these nests are fully occupied. It has been almost comical to watch these large beautiful birds come together in a single nest. We encourage hikers and bird watchers to come to the Red Barn Preserve to see these amazing birds. It is a one quarter mile hike from the entrance of the Preserve back to the boardwalk viewing area. Visitors should bring waterproof footwear, warm hiking clothes and binoculars. The nests are about 500 feet from the trail and the end of a large pond.
A second hiking trail has been planned for the Preserve and will be completed by Memorial Day this year. With the help of the Town of Morristown Highway Department and Gateway Museum volunteers- a new 300 foot long boardwalk is scheduled to be constructed beginning May 13th. When this trail has been completed there will be a viewing stand that will enable visitors to have excellent views of blue herons, beavers, ducks and other wildlife living in the ponds on the property.
Work continues on the Farm House renovation project at the Red Barn Preserve. New windows have been installed, the kitchen floor area rebuilt, roof repairs completed, furnace ductwork replaced, and demolition of bathrooms completed. It is expected that the bulk of the renovation project will be completed by Fall of this year.
This is also Grant season. The museum depends on funding to complete the projects that keep the place interesting and appreciated by our patrons. We recently submitted a grant to the Northern New York Youth Philanthropy Council to seek funding for the viewing stand at the Red Barn Preserve. We are also applying to the St Lawrence River Redevelopment Authority to obtain funding to complete work at the Preserve including building another hiking trail and renovating the Red Barn and stone wall fence along River Road East. The Redevelopment Agency are been an excellent partner and funded our projects in the past. The third Grant in progress is a SAM grant (State Aid to Municipalities) from New York State to provide HVAC for our 309 Main Street location. State senator Patti Ritchie has been a wonderful friend of the Museum and sponsor of this project. It is expected that the project will be completed by the Fall.
We have not forgotten about our downtown Gateway Museum location. Two board members have collaborated on a plan to prepare a new Dr Morse Indian Root Pills Exhibit this summer. Details will be unveiled as we get closer to our Museum opening on May 25th
And lets not forget our summer concert series. The museum sponsored 7 concerts last year. This year we have booked 10 concerts including the Fort Drum Band. Please join us at the Morristown Fire Department Pavilion when we kick off the series with The Shoes- Rock and Roll From the 50's, 60's, and 70's on Saturday June 29th at 6:30pm.
Thanks to go out to Clara Warren for her work on the Museum’s front windows. Clara brings special talent to the museum and her windows are “works of art”. The Spring and Easter look makes you smile !
If you know anyone that would like to volunteer some of their time working at the Museum or Red Barn Preserve- please reach out to us by commenting on this website or call me on my cell phone (614-205-8437) Our volunteers have fun working on the many projects and events outlined above and would welcome new faces to the team.
Dean Shelato
April 15, 2019
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