Clayton Antique Boat Museum | Thousand Islands

The Clayton Antique Boat Museum (ABM) is North America’s premier freshwater boating museum, located in the picturesque town of Clayton, New York, in the heart of the Thousand Islands region along the St. Lawrence River. The museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of wooden boats and the culture of freshwater boating, with a focus on the historic craft and boating traditions of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding areas.

History and Mission

Founded in the 1960s by local residents passionate about saving historic boats and nautical artifacts, the Antique Boat Museum began as the 1000 Islands Museum. It evolved through various organizational phases and names before becoming the Antique Boat Museum in 1990. Its mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories of boating and maritime culture, especially focusing on wooden boats and their craftsmanship.

The museum aims to promote public appreciation of boating's role in North America’s social, cultural, and economic development, particularly in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River regions.

Location and Setting

The museum is situated on a beautiful 4.5-acre waterfront campus in Clayton, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. This prime location not only offers stunning views of the river and passing boats but also ties the museum’s collections directly to the living tradition of boating on these waters.

Facilities and Exhibits

The Antique Boat Museum encompasses several buildings and outdoor areas showcasing an impressive collection of over 320 historic boats, as well as thousands of artifacts such as engines, photographs, tools, models, and archival materials related to boating history.

Key facilities include:

Elizabeth & Bolling Haxall Building: The main visitor entrance and information center.

Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building: Houses a large display of historic boats, many restored to original condition.

McNally Yacht House: A sheltered dock area displaying the museum’s in-water fleet of vintage boats.

Small Craft Building: Focuses on smaller vessels, such as canoes, kayaks, and rowing boats, and includes a working skiff livery.

Edward John Noble Historic Stone Building: This building serves as a boat restoration workshop and home to the Builder in Residence program, where master craftsmen restore and build boats on-site.

Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility: An off-site space where additional boats and collections are preserved, open for tours on select days.

La Duchesse: A 1903 historic houseboat moored at the museum, available for guided tours that showcase life aboard a classic floating home.

The museum is currently expanding with a new boat shop to enhance restoration and educational programming.

Collections Highlights

The museum’s collection includes a broad range of wooden boats, from classic runabouts, launches, and canoes to larger yachts and houseboats. Notable examples include:

Classic Chris-Craft and Gar Wood boats, icons of American wooden boat design.

Rare houseboats and custom-built vessels representing the lifestyle of early 20th-century boating enthusiasts.

Working steam-powered boats and motor launches illustrating the evolution of marine propulsion.

Antique engines, including early inboard motors and outboard engines.

Programs and Events

The Antique Boat Museum offers a full calendar of events and seasonal programs designed to engage visitors of all ages:

Guided Tours: Walkthrough tours of the museum buildings and the La Duchesse houseboat, providing rich stories behind the boats and artifacts.

Boat Rides: “Ride the River” speedboat rides and vintage boat cruises on the St. Lawrence River during the summer months.

Hands-On Experiences: Opportunities to row historic skiffs or participate in sailing events during July and August.

Annual Shows and Festivals:

The Antique Boat Show & Auction in early August, featuring rare boats on display and auctioned to collectors.

The American Classic Boat Show (ACBS) International Show in September, a major gathering of antique boating enthusiasts.

The Small Craft Festival in October, celebrating paddling crafts like canoes and kayaks.

Educational Programs: Workshops, lectures, and the Builder in Residence program focused on traditional wooden boat building skills.

Visitor Information

Seasonal Hours: The museum is open from early May through mid-October daily, with weekend-only access into late October.

Admission: Tickets are available for adults, seniors, youth, families, and military personnel, with discounts and membership options.

Accessibility: The museum is designed to welcome visitors with various mobility needs, though some historic areas may have limited access due to their age.

Location and Access: The museum is located at 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY, just a short drive from the Thousand Islands International Bridge. Visitors often combine a visit here with other regional attractions such as Boldt Castle and Singer Castle.

Significance

The Clayton Antique Boat Museum is a cultural treasure that preserves the craftsmanship, technology, and lifestyle associated with freshwater boating in North America. It serves as both a historical archive and a living center where the tradition of wooden boat building and boating culture continues to thrive. For visitors, it offers a rare chance to connect with a unique facet of maritime history set against the stunning backdrop of the Thousand Islands region.