Russell Memorial Hall/Museum

The Russell Memorial Hall, built as an addition to the Public Library was completed in 1993, with doors opening to the public June 4,1994. It was called Russell Memorial Hall, The Nesting place of the Knox Eagles.

Lining two walls are the framed pictures of the graduating classes from Knox Memorial Central School that were originally hanging in the high school. The Memorial Hall also houses two statues, replicas of the Lorenzo and General Leano (Guiliano) Medici statues. Lorenzo stands for the contemplative man or the "thinker". Guiliano stands for the active man. When sculpted, these statues were symbols of the struggle man faced with the unity of God. Placing these statues in doorways or at the foot of double staircases symbolized you having a choice of your lifestyle. Many of the graduates of Knox School will remember the statues at the base of the stairways in the school.

As our museum part grows we have a display of one-room schools complete with many pictures of the school buildings, teachers and students, as well as text books from the time. There are also many artifacts from the area and pictures of old buildings and a painting of the Old Arsenal and of the Knox School. In addition, farming implements and the history of various organizations that have been in the town of Russell. There is also the complete listing of all the cemeteries, some with pictures.

The past two years (2002 - 2003) has seen many additions of reference materials and the use of the many scrapbooks which have been donated to the Museum to aid people in finding information on their ancestors born and raised in Russell, Degrasse and surrounding area. While I can't always have the time to aid people in their quests for genealogy I try to steer them in the direction of further help, either at the St. Lawrence County Historical Society, St. Lawrence University archives, or other Town Historians.

In 2003 I acquired a large St. Lawrence County map from the late 1800's and with the help of Karen and Dick Harmer we mounted it on a frame and enclosed it in plexi-glass. With the help of a magnifying glass you can pick out the names of the people that lived on each road.

As Russell Town Historian I am always looking for pictures, articles and any additions to put in the museum.

Marie Rocca
pmrocca@tds.net

Museum hours: When the library is open or by appointment.

Marie Rocca: Russell Town Historian; Chairman
Brenda Hale: Vice Chairman

Advisors:
Susan Briggs
Evah Foster
Michelle Grimshaw
Etta Hance
Karen Harmer

<!-- End editable content -->