Information
Landmark: Clayton Antique Boat MuseumCity: Thousand Islands
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Clayton Antique Boat Museum, Thousand Islands, USA New York, North America
Overview
In the charming town of Clayton, New York-where the St. Lawrence River glitters under the summer sun-the Clayton Antique Boat Museum stands as North America’s top destination for freshwater boating history, right in the heart of the Thousand Islands.The museum celebrates and safeguards the legacy of wooden boats and freshwater boating culture, shining a spotlight on the historic craftsmanship and traditions of the St. Lawrence River and nearby waters, where oars still creak in the morning mist.Back in the 1960s, a group of local residents-determined to preserve old wooden boats and weathered nautical artifacts-started what was then called the 1000 Islands Museum, now known as the Antique Boat Museum.Over the years, it shifted through several phases and carried different names, finally settling as the Antique Boat Museum in 1990.It’s dedicated to gathering, preserving, and bringing to life the stories of boating and maritime culture, with a special focus on wooden boats-the scent of fresh-cut cedar, the curve of a hand-carved hull-and the skill that shapes them.The museum works to spark public appreciation for how boating shaped North America’s social, cultural, and economic life, especially around the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, where you can still smell fresh pine along the docks.The museum sits on a scenic 4.5-acre waterfront in Clayton, where you can watch sunlight ripple across the St. Lawrence River.From this prime spot, you can watch the river shimmer as boats glide past, while the museum’s collections stay closely linked to the vibrant boating tradition that still thrives here.The Antique Boat Museum spans multiple buildings and open-air spaces, where visitors can explore more than 320 historic boats and thousands of artifacts-from gleaming brass engines and weathered tools to photographs, scale models, and rare archival materials that trace the rich history of boating.The Elizabeth & Bolling Haxall Building serves as the main visitor entrance and information center, where you’ll step inside to find maps and a friendly welcome.Cleveland E., sharp in a navy jacket, stepped into the room.Inside the Dodge Memorial Launch Building, you’ll find a towering display of historic boats, their polished wood gleaming as if they’d just left the workshop.McNally Yacht House: a protected dock where the museum’s vintage boats rest in the water, their polished wood gleaming in the sun.Small Craft Building showcases smaller vessels-canoes, kayaks, and rowboats-with a working skiff livery where the scent of fresh varnish lingers in the air.The Edward John Noble Historic Stone Building houses a bustling boat restoration workshop and the Builder in Residence program, where master craftsmen shape and repair vessels right on-site, the scent of fresh-cut cedar lingering in the air.The Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility is an off-site space where extra boats and artifacts are carefully preserved, from the gleam of polished wood to the scent of aged canvas, and it opens for tours on select days.La Duchesse, a historic 1903 houseboat tied up at the museum’s pier, offers guided tours that let you step inside and glimpse the warm wood-paneled life of a classic floating home.Right now, the museum’s adding a new boat shop, giving its restoration work fresh space and its educational programs a hands-on boost that smells faintly of pine shavings.The museum showcases an array of wooden boats, from sleek runabouts and quiet canoes to grand yachts and cozy houseboats.Think of the gleaming mahogany hulls of Classic Chris-Craft and Gar Wood boats-true icons of American wooden boat design.You’ll find rare houseboats and one-of-a-kind vessels, the kind early 20th-century boating enthusiasts lived aboard, their decks smelling faintly of varnished wood.Steam-powered boats chug past while sleek motor launches slice through the water, each showing how marine propulsion has evolved.Antique engines, from early inboard motors to outboards with worn brass fittings.The Antique Boat Museum keeps its calendar packed with seasonal programs and events for all ages, from guided strolls through its galleries to stepping aboard the La Duchesse houseboat, where the scent of polished wood accompanies stories that bring each boat and artifact to life.Boat Rides: Hop on a “Ride the River” speedboat or drift along in a vintage cruiser, feeling the spray and sun as you explore the St. Lawrence River in summer.Get out on the water this summer with chances to row a weathered wooden skiff or join lively sailing events in July and August.Every August, the Antique Boat Show & Auction draws crowds to see gleaming, rare vessels lined up along the dock, many going home with eager collectors.In September, the American Classic Boat Show (ACBS) International draws antique boating enthusiasts from far and wide, their polished mahogany hulls gleaming in the sun.In October, the Small Craft Festival brings paddlers together to celebrate canoes, kayaks, and the splash of oars cutting through cool autumn water.Educational programs include hands-on workshops, engaging lectures, and a Builder in Residence who teaches the craft of traditional wooden boat building, right down to the scent of fresh cedar shavings.Visitor Information - Seasonal Hours: From early May to mid-October, the museum welcomes guests every day, the scent of fresh grass drifting in from the garden, then shifts to weekends only through late October.Tickets are on sale for adults, seniors, youth, families, and military personnel, and you can snag discounts or even a membership-like getting a pass that fits easily in your wallet.Accessibility: The museum welcomes visitors with a range of mobility needs, but in a few older rooms-where the floors creak underfoot-access may be limited by the building’s age.You’ll find the museum at 750 Mary Street in Clayton, NY, only a few minutes’ drive from the Thousand Islands International Bridge, with the river glinting nearby.Many visitors pair a trip here with nearby sights, like Boldt Castle’s stone towers or the historic Singer Castle.The Clayton Antique Boat Museum is a cultural gem, keeping alive the artistry, engineering, and easygoing charm of freshwater boating in North America-right down to the gleam of polished wood hulls.It’s both a historical archive and a lively hub, where the smell of fresh-cut cedar mingles with the sound of hammers, keeping wooden boat building and boating culture alive.Visitors get a rare chance to step into a distinct slice of maritime history, with the sparkling blue waters of the Thousand Islands stretching out behind them.
