The HAMMOND HISTORICAL MUSEUM and its team of directors embraces the opportunity to be a leader in fostering PRIDE AND APPRECIATION of Hammond’s distinctive cultural history. OUR VISION is a community which honors its past and CELEBRATES its uniqueness as a strong foundation to INSPIRE AND UPLIFT future generations.
We are very appreciative for our past and present directors who devote their time and attention to our beloved Hammond Museum!
In 1979, past historian, Valera Bickelhaupt, received many wooden building models and carvings from the family of Rob Elethorp. In the early 1900s Rob T. Elethorpe hand-crafted a large collection of miniature buildings including replicas of two churches, a barn and farmhouse - this is one of the unique features of our local history museum! For a few years they were stored at the back of the library. Finally, in 1986, several interested local people met together and formed the Robert T. Elethorp Historical Society. The Hammond Town Board gave permission to set up a museum in the basement of the town hall. By 1996, the basement was too small to hold all the additional donations coming in, so a search was made for a bigger place. After exhausting the possibilities of several local buildings, it was decided to build a museum.
In 1998 Steve & Donna Demick donated one acre of land on the north side of the village. Stu Casanova started the plans, Katie Thomas drafted the blue prints & Attorney Francis Musselman performed the legal work. Michael Johnston, general contractor & stone mason, oversaw the work of about 25 volunteer men & women to construct the main museum. The grand opening was held on October 17, 1998. Over the years a barn, stone house, carriage shed & blacksmith shop were added.
As renamed in 2017, the Hammond Historical Museum boasts many artifacts besides the Elethorp models. There is a large collection of photos, military & firemen uniforms, vintage clothing, old school records, an extensive collection of the Hammond Advertiser weekly newspapers, historical records, local genealogy information & much more.
Hammond, New York is a rural farming area that borders on the spectacular St. Lawrence River and Black Lake. We have a rich history of farmers that in many cases are descended from Scottish settlers that came here in 1818.
There are many wonderful islands in the Chippewa Bay area of Hammond, including Cedar Island State Park and historic Singer Castle on Dark Island. The shoreline from Indian Point to Oak Point is also quite beautiful.
The Hammond Museum was built in 1998 on land graciously donated by Steve and Donna Demick. We are proud to have built this exceptional historical site with no government grants or loans, rather though volunteer time, labor and donations. For this, we are very grateful.