The Peru Gazette

Located just off Main Street at 96 Clinton Street, the museum displays an array of Keeseville and Clintonville’s history. This summer’s featured display was created by three Keeseville 5th grade Elementary School classes. It portrays the personal stories of eleven Keeseville men who died serving their country during World War II. Maps trace the path each man took from Keeseville to basic training, to overseas battlefields.  It’s a display we’ll never forget.  Great work by both students and teachers.

The museum’s permanent collections include stories and artifacts from Keeseville’s early history when it was known as a manufacturing and tourist community. Nails made by the Ausable Horse Nail Company are on display as are bottles that once contained Pepsi Cola soft drinks bottled at the Keeseville Pepsi Cola bottling plant. There’s a replica of the Clintonville steel forge operation owned by the Peru Steel and Iron Company. Visitors learn about the Keeseville, Ausable Chasm and Lake Champlain Railroad that once ran just over five miles from Port Kent to Keeseville. Photographs of Keeseville’s many historic buildings especially its churches are extremely interesting. The museum also houses many historic documents, newspaper clippings and much more.

Volunteers Allison Arnold, Jeff Dangler and Museum President Garth Houde were on hand yesterday to answer questions. The museum is open from May to October on Tuesdays (9 a.m. to noon) and Thursdays
(10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ) and by appointment. Admission is free though donations are accepted. Call 518-834-9219 for information.