Bolton Historical Museum
4924 Main Street
Bolton Landing, New York

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The Historical Society of the Town of Bolton began operating the Historical Museum in 1971. The Museum building, a former church, was built in 1890 and underwent several additions and extensive restorations long before it was deeded to the Town of Bolton in 1967 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
The New York State Education Department granted our Historical Society its charter on July 31, 1970. It is governed by elected officers and a Board of Trustees. Recently the building underwent new renovations and several roof additions in preparations for the 1999 Town of Bolton Bicentennial celebrations.
Our mission is to educate townspeople and visitors about the history of Bolton, Lake George and the surrounding region. The museum displays extensive collections of regional artifacts and memorabilia and we sponsor a summer lecture series with the Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing.

Museum is filled with photographs and exhibits which feature hotels, old tools, boats, ice harvesting equipment, local businesses, steamboats, camping, ice boats, vintage clothing, lakeside mansions, farm implements, schools and families. Many of our historic photographs were taken by Seneca Ray Stoddard and Fred Thatcher.
A Smith-Granger rowboat, which was built in Bolton around 1900, has recently been donated to the museum, and John Apperson's famous Morris canoe has been loaned to us for long term display.
We also are proud to display a steel sculpture by famed local artist David B Smith.

Our experienced and helpful Museum Director can be reached at the museum during regular seasonal business hours by calling:  (518)644-9960.

The Town Historian collects Bolton History and responds to many inquiries from genealogical researchers. She can be reached at the Bolton Town Hall at (518) 644-2444 or by mail: Town Historian, Bolton Town Hall, PO Box 7, Bolton Landing, NY 12814.
 
 

The Historical Society, the Museum and the Town Historian will be as helpful as possible with any historical research. Through a grant from the Glens Falls Foundation, the Historical Society has purchased a Micron Microfilm Reader and has all Bolton census reels from 1790 to 1920. It will be necessary to make an appointment to use the microfilm archives.