History of the Hancock House Museum & Library
The Ticonderoga Hancock House was constructed in 1925, and opened to the public in 1926. The museum is a representation of the 1737 colonial mansion of American Patriot John Hancock, which stood in Boston.
Hancock was a well-recognized signer of the Declaration of Independence, second president of the Continental Congress and served as Governor of Massachusetts following the Revolution. The Boston home was a center of activities during the American Revolution, visited by many of the prominent figures of the day. Sadly, the home was demolished in 1863.
The museum House was the gift of industrialist and philanthropist Horace A. Moses, born in Ticonderoga in 1863. Moses chose the building design to represent the Hancock House because the original home was an outstanding example of Georgian architecture.
Prior to the demolition of the Hancock mansion in Boston, measured drawings were created by American architect and builder John Hubbard Sturgis. Much of the design of the Ticonderoga Hancock House is based on these drawings, making the building much more authentic. Many details of the original home can be found throughout the museum, including the exterior Weymouth granite block construction. Not only was this exact granite found in the original home, but it has allowed the building to be largely fireproof.
The Hancock House Museum was originally under the management of the New York State Historical Association. After that group’s relocation to Cooperstown, New York, the building went through a series of tenants until 1975, when the Ticonderoga Historical Society assumed stewardship of the building and its collections.
Founded in 1897 and chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1909, the Lower Adirondack Regional Center for History (LARCH), formerly known as the Ticonderoga Historical Society has, through thoughtful management and a proactive board of trustees, grown the Hancock House to become the largest regional museum within a 40-mile radius. LARCH has established itself as a community partner and continues to present timely and meaningful programs and exhibits.
Hancock House Photos
Exhibits
The Lower Adirondack Regional Center for History has made a conscious decision to offer a wide variety of programs, events and exhibits that embrace diversity and inclusion, and present varying opinions and viewpoints on significant historical issues.
Each year, LARCH offers thoughtful programs on a variety of subjects, from African-Americans in the Adirondacks to presentations on women’s suffrage, Native Americans and early historical figures of the region. We offer entertainment as well as educational programs, featuring well-known regional artists, musicians and children’s theater.
All LARCH programs are offered free of charge, unless otherwise noted as fundraisers. The Lower Adirondack Regional Center for History has grown to become a partner with other organizations, and in addition to programs presented at its Hancock House Museum site, travels throughout the region to present programs at other venues.
The Clegg Mural, Restored! (Meeting Room, basement)
This intricately illustrated 4’ x 8’ map of significant historic battlefields in Vermont and northeastern New York is on display in the Museum’s program room. Commissioned by Horace Moses for the 1926 Hancock House opening and created by the English graphic artist Ernest Clegg, it had become dull and dirty during decades of storage off site. Returned to LARCH, it is now fully restored, with its sketches of historic events of the French and Indian Wars, the American Revolution and the War of 1812 intact.
19th Century American Glass (1st floor)
During the early 1800’s glass items of all types, from windowpane to medicine bottles, were made in numerous small, local glassworks across the northeast. Glass flasks, ½ pint, 1 pint and 1-quart sizes, as seen in this exhibit, were decorated with historic and patriotic themes and became collector’s favorites, both then and now.
Redford Glass (1st floor)
Redford Glass, a glassworks located on the Saranac River in the Adirondacks, was established in 1831 to manufacture window glass. But, at the end of the workday, the glass blowers showed off their skill and earned pocket money by blowing their own “offhand pieces” from the leftover molten glass. The pieces exhibited are both practical items and “whimseys” – purely decorative pieces. The exhibit shows off the remarkable clarity and sea-green color for which Redford Glass is known.
Abernaki Longhouse (2nd floor)
Step into the world’s shortest longhouse and imagine what life was like for Native Americans 500 years ago. Designed with the help of a member of the Abenaki Tribe (Wabanaki Confederacy), this is a hands-on exhibit of the tools and artifacts of everyday life in a longhouse.
Colonial Decorative Arts (2nd floor)
On reaching the second-floor landing, a visitor will find a setting of furniture and décor typical of a wealthy colonial home of the 1700’s. Opposite the comfortable-looking living area, find examples of the arts and crafts created by the women of the home.
The Merino Wool Industry (2nd floor)
Raising Merino sheep came late to the Ticonderoga area. When in 1851 William H. Cook brought his first Merinos from Shoreham across Lake Champlain, farmers in Vermont had been raising Merino sheep for two decades. Merino wool proved so profitable that farms in Vermont and Bolton, NY converted completely to raising sheep in the 1830’s. The demand for wool cloth during the Civil War further expanded the industry. After the war, the low cost of raising sheep in the western US brought an end to the boom.
On exhibit are samples of Merino wool, as well as a spinning wheel, a wool winder and two looms, used into the early 1800’s. By the Civil War mills built along the LaChute river spun wool and wove cloth for the troops. By the end of that War, spinning wheels had disappeared from most homes.
American Folk Art (3rd floor)
A one-of-a-kind boat, a bright painting with a flat perspective, hand carved wooden utensils, a hand carved toy – all American Folk Art. This exhibit has a cross-section of such pieces, some with specific uses, others purely decorative, created by regional self-taught artists.
Firefighter’s Day Room (3rd floor)
Fire stations must house fire trucks, hoses and equipment, firemen’s gear, of course. Many also have space for the firefighters to relax and socialize. In the 1800’s, when most firefighters were volunteers, these “day rooms” were often very like social clubs, with conversation, tobacco chewing, and card games. Peek into our “Firefighters Room” complete with furniture and turnout gear, portraits, awards and samovars of that era. The photos and furnishings were donated by local fire companies, notably the Mt. Defiance Hose Company of Ticonderoga.
Festival of Trees (all floors)
For more than 30 years, the Hancock House Festival of Trees has been a holiday tradition.
Past Exhibits
Click on the photos below to enlarge images.
Events and Programs
Past Events & Programs
Research Library
The library consists of several thousand volumes of material principally related to the Lake George, Lake Champlain and Adirondack regions. This includes a number of rare, one-of-a-kind volumes. Subjects include the region’s military, scientific, environmental, genealogical and social history.
In addition to books, archival holdings include pamphlets, manuscripts, letter, steamship logs, business records and other materials relating to regional history.
Some of the resources found in the Hancock House library include:
- Ticonderoga Sentinel newspaper editions, dated from 1874 to Oct 1982 (on microfilm)
- Vermont Vital Records 1760-1870 (on microfilm)
- Obituaries for Clinton, Franklin & Essex County NY
- Births & Marriages for Clinton, Franklin & Essex County NY
- Vital Records for NY, New England and Canada
- Select regional census and cemetery records
- Maps and architectural drawings
- Photograph collections in a number of formats
- Books and Journals specific to businesses, churches and schools
- Military records
- Burt Loescher Collection on Rogers’ Rangers in the French and Indian War
The library is not open to the public and all materials are non-circulating. Research may be conducted only by prior appointment and pre-paid fees apply:
- $30/hour for non-members
- $20/hour for donor/members
We are unable to guarantee results for any inquiry and copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) covers all materials.
Contact us at 518-585-7868 or via e-mail at [email protected] for additional information.
Colonial Garden
The Colonial Garden was first planted in 2017, and since then has grown to demonstrate a mature garden that might be found on the grounds of any colonial manor house of the late 1700s to early 1800s.
Each of the plants found in the garden has either a medicinal or culinary use.
Under the stewardship of a dedicated group of volunteers, the Colonial Garden has grown to become a place of respite, beauty and education. With dozens of plant varieties that encompass annuals, perennials and biennials, the garden is free to the public. Tours and programs regarding the plants and their uses are available. A plant sale is usually held each August.
For information on group tours, please call 518-585-7868 or via e-mail to [email protected].
Colonial Garden Photos
Festival of Trees
For more than 30 years, the Hancock House Festival of Trees has been a holiday tradition. Running from Thanksgiving to December 31, the creativity and inspiration that the participants bring to their entries is remarkable. The families and groups that come to see the Hancock House, with its four floors fully decorated with more than 50 trees and displays, always take away a special holiday memory.
Each year a special theme is available to help guide the decorators. Organizations and individuals are invited to participate and compete for cash prizes. Trees are judged by an anonymous panel of three individuals. Prizes are awarded for best theme, with a $100 prize; most creative, with a $100 prize, best children’s (under 18), with a $50 prize; and best non-tree holiday display, with a $50 prize. Winners are announced and prizes awarded at the free reception usually held the first Sunday in December.
For more information – or to reserve a space, call LARCH at 518-585-7868 or via email to: [email protected].
Festival of Trees Photos
