May - July 2022
Volume 24 No. 2
Museum
Events
2022
A Newsletter for Members of the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum, a 501(c)(3) Education Corporation
September 3-4 : 31st Old Fashioned Harvest Days Exhibition.
September 24 : Craft, Food and Wine Open Air Market with the SLC Chamber of Commerce host.
October 1 : US Military Time Line Meet. Saturday at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Fort Tribute.
October 1 : Kids Pumpkin Patch Party, rain or shine.
October 23 : Fall Meeting of the Members. Sunday at 1:30.
Gathering of the Orange-Meeting of Allis Chalmers Fans and Spring Show, June 9-11, 2023.
Civil War Reenactment Weekend Grows
Summer Work Moves Projects Forward
R
egrading the Village Green and relocating one side of its perimeter
road is nearly complete. The Town of Madrid miraculously showed
up with 22 truckloads of excess road soil to help fill low areas. Kirke
Perry and James Tiernan repaired the weathervane on the Carriage
Barn, Bob Tracy completed rebuilding the Corn Crib. Trucks began us-
ing the new loading ramps built with concrete blocks from Jefferson
Concrete in Watertown. The Nevin Church wiring was roughed in and
walls insulated. Exterior trim was installed matching old photos, and
installation of lapboard siding began. Installation of printing equipment
will soon begin at the Village Printers’ new shop. Bob O’Marah restored
the frame of a vintage awning for the front. More finish work remains,
but enough has been done to make this possible. The exterior of the
General Store is nearly complete. Don Lustyik, Bob Tracy, Bob Mar-
shall and others have installed the floor. See more photos on pg.3.
R
ain the week before the show soaked the ground and cast doubt on
whether the weather would cooperate. Other than a muddy pull
track, all went well. Visitors through the gate and food sales were within
the range of pre-COVID numbers. There were fewer exhibitors and ven-
dors of engines, old iron, and goodies. We were encouraged to see Ca-
nadian members who dealt with higher travel costs. Highlights included
the great music program arranged by Michelle and Kirk Robinson; the
increasing number of Allis Chalmers equipment; the circular saw, verti-
cal saw, and shingle mills running; Ft. Tribute attracting more visitors;
chicks hatching on schedule; the beautiful campus all mowed and
trimmed; and the nice comments about our dedicated and welcoming
volunteers. “You’ve grown since I was here last,” they said. Indeed. ☺
Spring Exhibition Draws Great Crowd
O
ver 150 Civil War reenactors arrived at the Museum in July to pro-
vide visitors with a chance to sense what the Civil War was like.
Troops filled Fort Tribute and surrounded it with camps to demonstrate
a soldier’s life and ended each day with a skirmish filled with exciting
noise and smoke. The moderator explained the movement of the bat-
tling groups - frontal assault, attempts at envelopment, protecting the
line, and using cannon to best advantage. Visitors to the event watched
quietly, held their ears as cannon and guns fired, and breathed in the
smoke blowing across the field. There were no cheers. Most just
watched silently as the lines maneuvered. And when all was done, after
a pause, most applauded, knowing they had witnessed something terri-
ble, yet memorable. A lighter view of 1860’s life could be seen in the
camps with cooking, music, fashion shows, children’s drill, and too-real
medical care. The event was a cooperative effort between the St. Law-
rence County Historical Association, the Museum, and especially the
many reenactors from New York and Vermont. See pg. 4.
Tractors galore were on display at the Spring
Show. Some on tracks, others on rubber or steel.
Cletrac, Farmall, John Deere, Oliver, Ford, and
a great variety of Allis Chalmers were there.
Union reenactors line up for morning inspection
during July’s Civil War Weekend. Great weather
brought an enthusiastic crowd to see life in camp
and witness troops under fire.
A few years ago, high winds blew the copper
horse off of the top of the Carriage Barn weath-
ervane. This spring, Kirke Perry, using the lift
from Burns Construction, set it back in place.
While inside
there was ridin’
and ropin’.
Page 2
St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum
Old Time Spring Exhibition in June
Saturday’s Old Iron Auction drew
a crowd with Jimmy Armstrong,
Auctioneer.
Rain the night before did not discourage the
garden tractors on Saturday . . .
Tractors, custom cars, and little red wagons were there.
The circular sawmill
(below), shingle mill
(right), shingle trim-
mer and vertical
sawmill operated each
day.
The blacksmiths went at it hammer and tongs.
Photos courtesy of Roger Austin and
Dennis Barr of Two Guys and a Camera.
Needed: Writers, photographers,
and poofreaders for the Newsletter.
Contemplation in the Carriage
Barn.
Quiet time in the Goolden kitchen.
More photos on page 5.
Bring a friend to the Fall
Show and sign them up
for membership. Every
kind of support is needed.
T
he Northern NY Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy
Council visited May 28 to become more familiar with the place they
had recommended for a grant. The Museum had an exhibit at the Heu-
velton Central School Wellness Fair on June 2. Al Garrand and others
drove tractors in the Dairy Princess Parade on June 4. Students from
the Lisbon Central School toured the Museum on June 15. The St.
James Parochial School students came the next day to have a Civil
War era experience. Retired NY State United Teachers held a luncheon
at the Museum on June 20. After their business meeting they enjoyed a
tour of our facilities. The Potsdam Community Band, sponsored by the
Madrid Dam Music Series presented a great concert in one of their fa-
vorite venues, the Equine Pavilion, on July 20. Amazing sound! Just be-
fore the Civil War Weekend, youth from the Police Activities League
and the Richville Library Summer Program spent the day featuring Fort
Tribute and other Civil War era exhibits. Finally, most Wednesdays will
find the Heritage Fibers building busy with members of the Borderline
Quilt Guild. These activities are made possible by the time and skills of a
great number of super volunteers.
Page 3
May - July 2022
Young people from the Police Activities
League and the Richville Library Summer
Program visited Civil War exhibits in July.
Maple Producers Honor Donald Finen
Visitors Entertained and Events Joined
Students from Lisbon Central School (above)
and the St. James Parochial School visited
the Museum in mid-June.
D
uring the Spring Exhibition, members of the St. Lawrence County
Maple Producers Association took time to honor their member,
Donald Finen, for his many years of dedication and service. Association
members gathered in front of the newly erected sap tank storage shed
next to the Maple Sugar House. Ed Newcombe, President of the Associa-
tion, presented a plaque to Finen. Former Association President Hugh
Newton read the inscription. Finen was unable to attend the program but
participated virtually through an iPhone link. After the presentations, New-
combe, Newton, Jim Hargrave and others presented the plaque to Mr.
Finen, in person, at his home in Waddington. The plaque can be seen at
the new maple storage shed.
Ed Newcombe (l) addresses members of the
S.L. County Maple Producers at a program
honoring Donald Finen at the spring Show.
Members of the Youth Philanthropy Council
of the Northern NY Community Foundation
visited the Museum in late May.
Summer Work made pro-
gress on several projects (see
page 1) including (left) reloca-
tion of the road on the north
side of the Village Green, fin-
ishing the truck loading dock
(lower left), and major restora-
tion of the corn crib (below) by
Bob Tracy. It was originally do-
nated by Barbara Day, but wind
had nearly destroyed it. Ann
and Tim Hunt greatly admire
the fine work.
Gary Sayers has spent many hours with
his big JD tractor, grading the Village
Green and relocating the road.
Page 4 St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum
which were drilled . . .
Civil War Weekend
in July of 2022 at Fort Tribute . . .
new recruits arrived. . .
learned discipline . . .
and how to fight . . .
under the watchful eyes of
their leaders.
The battle begins . . .
a reply is made . . .
the line advances . . .
while citizens watch, just as they
did at Manassas, on July 16, 1861.
stand ready men . . .
With songs to be sung, in
years to come.
Page 5
May - July 2022
Music by Steelin’ Country and the Adi-
rondack Playboys with Square Dancing
in the Tractor Barn Saturday afternoon
and more Dancing that night and >
> gospel music and singing in the Equine Pavilion Sunday.
Run the big diesel, run chainsaws, or run around with visi-
tors in the “new” people carrier.
More Old Time Spring
Exhibition Photos
Shh. Enjoy the concertina.
Shh. Chicks hatching.
Shh. Silent auction in progress.
Perfect day: Go to school, have some chicken, and take home some maple syrup.
May - July 2022 Page 7
Let’s talk money - things members should know - and how to help
FACTS
• Your Museum operates in the black - no loans, just a small credit card debt we pay off each month.
• Our major sources of operating income are the shows and exhibitions. More on that later.
• Our major source of money for capital projects - new buildings - comes from donations by members and
friends. However, grants have been essential to our growth.
• We have accumulated the beginning of a substantial endowment to assure our long-term future. The Finance
Committee is considering ways to improve our investments and increase income. To date, we have not needed
to draw on these funds. The day is coming when it will be necessary to do so.
• The increased number of major events at the Museum has resulted in a growing financial cushion, not to be
confused with the endowment, providing cash to cover rained-out events, general maintenance, or modest
emergency.
• The key to our success has been the generosity of our members, financially and especially through sweat eq-
uity.
HOW TO HELP
• Volunteer a little or a lot. There is a job that should suit everyone. Whether it’s flipping burgers, pounding
nails, sawing logs or hosting an exhibit, it’s all needed. The best news is that it’s fun.
• Be a sustaining member or friend. Large or not-so-large cash donations really add up.
• Donate something to sell at the shows: Pies and cookies go like hot cakes. Your attic junk is our treasure. Your
tired iron sells well at the June auction. Baskets of wine, cheese or other goodies; plants; and home decora-
tion all sell very well at the silent auction.
• If you have appreciated stock, an IRA-required minimum distribution, or other financial instrument, our Pres-
ident, Ron Sheppard, can point you to the right person to explain how you might benefit by donating them.
• If you want to earmark a donation for a particular project, the following are approved by the Board: General
Fund, Endowment, General Store, Village Printers, Nevin Church Relocation, Wood Shop, Log Cabin. Approved
to request support but not to commence construction: Expansion of the White Barn. Construction of an Open
Pavilion.
• Most of all, keep you dues up to date and continue to show your support for the Museum. Thanks!
Thanks to Several Local Businesses for This Year’s Support!
Silent Auction Items at the Spring Show
• Tractor Supply Company, Potsdam: Horse statue decoration
• Price Chopper Supermarket, Canton: Cases of bottled water, Gift Certificate
• Walldroff Farm Equipment, Canton: Farm equipment model. Pallet of pellets in 2021
Civil War Weekend Sponsors
• SeaComm Federal Credit Union
• Edward C. Seymour VFW Post 1231
• Anson A. Burke Allstate Insurance, Massena
• Massena Transport LLC
• Niles Asset Management, Inc.
• Parkway Auto Group & Express
• St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union
Page 8 St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum
St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum
1755 State Highway 345
PO Box 400
Madrid, NY 13660-0400
Temp-Return Service Requested
US Postage Paid
Permit No. 8
Non-Profit
Organization
Madrid, NY
13660
Museum Trustees
YOUR DUES ARE
UP TO DATE IF
THERE IS A 22
AFTER THE V ON
YOUR MAILING
LABEL (UNLESS
THEY WERE IN
THE MAIL WHEN
PRINTED).
President/Trustee: Ronald E. Sheppard, 45 Old State Road, Heuvelton, New
Vice-President/Trustee: Kirke W. Perry, PO Box 243, Colton, NY 13625.
Secretary/Trustee: Roger S. Austin, 410 Stevenson Road, Rensselaer Falls,
NY 13680. Phone (315) 344-7470 or Winters: 179 Lakecrest Dr. NE,
Milledgeville, Georgia 31061. Phone (478) 453-3640. Cell phone both loca-
Treasurer/Trustee: Lee W. Dezell, 1648 County Route 31, Lisbon, NY
Trustee: Andrea L. Castle, 1015 County Rt. 44, Madrid, NY 13660. Phone
Trustee: Ronald W. Day, 5608 County Route 10, Heuvelton, NY 13654.
Trustee: David W. Gibson, 266 Pike Rd., Canton, NY 13617. Phone 315-
386-3539.
Trustee: Robert J. Marshall, 3614 County Rt. 14, Madrid, NY 13660. Phone
Trustee: Alexandria R. Rivers, 320 Dayton Rd., Potsdam, NY 13676. Phone
(315) 212-4251. Email: riversar00@outlook.com.
Trustee: Gilbert E. Rivers, Lot 19, 1700 County Route 25, Canton, NY
13617. Phone 315-244-4888. Email: gibbygangof5@tds.net.
Trustee: Scott A. Wilson, 18 Meadow St., Massena, NY 13662. Cell (315)
250-0025. Email: swilson@seacomm.org.
Newsletter Editor: Roger S. Austin Electronic Media: Alie Rivers
Visit: www.slpowermuseum.com and www.forttribute.org
Send photos to splempho[email protected]
Contact us at: info@slpowermuseum.com
Find us on Facebook at St Lawrence Power and Equipment
Museum and at Fort Tribute
GOTO Is Only 9 Months Away
w
ith the 2023 Gathering of the Orange only months
away, more orange Allis Chalmers equipment has
been seen at the exhibitions. Organizers met during the
Spring Show to discuss plans. Pre-registration will include
notice of early arrival, allowed after 12:00 on Wednesday. A
special area will be reserved for big trucks. Food vendors
will help feed the crowd. Menus will not duplicate the Muse-
um’s kitchen. Large goods vendors will be coming, and a
parts corral will provide opportunity for individual participants
to buy and sell a variety of items needed to maintain their
orange equipment. On Saturday night, registrants will hold a
dinner at West Potsdam. Not long now.
