PLATTSBURGH — An upcoming open house for area museums gives the community an opportunity to visit several historical sites for free.

It also gives the participating facilities a chance to highlight what they offer.

In all, nine of the region's premier historical locations will open their doors free of charge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday as part of the Press-Republican's second-annual Museum Day.

PIECE OF THE STORY
"It gives us all a chance to come together and work toward a common goal," said John Krueger, director for the Kent-Delord House. "We all have a different piece of the story to tell. This event can give a wonderful overview of what makes the area special."

Kent-Delord House staff and volunteers have prepared for the big day by opening two new exhibits that portray the rich history of the region through the daily lives of the family who lived on Plattsburgh's Cumberland Avenue.

One will feature the original bedroom of Frances Henrietta Delord as she may have decorated it in the early 1800s.

"This will give people an idea what it could have possibly been like to be a little girl around 1820," Krueger said, noting that historical records of the home show exactly where Frances had her bedroom at that time.

Another new exhibit will display the office of Frances "Fanny" Delord Webb from around 1870 and will actually include bottles of medicines Fanny used as a self-taught medical practitioner to offer services to people who could not afford a doctor's care.

SHARING HISTORY
The Champlain Valley Transportation Museum will also feature special programs, including activities designed especially for children.

"We have a lot of history, and we want to share that with the community," said Alice Church, director of development for the Transportation Museum.

"We feel strongly enough about what we have to offer that we want people to come and see the importance of the region's transportation history."

New exhibits on the D&H Railroad in the Champlain Valley and a racing room featuring race cars from 1908 to 1980 will also be available for viewing.

NEW VISITORS
The Clinton County Historical Association will reveal a new exhibit at its museum on the Tercentenary Celebration during Museum Day.

"We're encouraging people who might not otherwise come to come to the museum and bring their children," said Maurica Gilbert, trustee and treasurer for the Historical Association.

Gilbert said more than 200 people visited the museum during last year's Museum Day, many of whom were children.

Other participants include the War of 1812 Museum, the Strand Theatre, the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, the Alice T. Miner Museum in Chazy, Special Collections at Plattsburgh State's Feinberg Library and the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts.

PROUD TO SPONSOR
Last year's initial event was a huge success for all involved.

"We thought it would be a nice idea to open the doors for those local people who drive by every day but have never visited the exhibits," said Plattsburgh Press-Republican Publisher Robert Parks, who was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Battle of Plattsburgh Association at the time.

"It's a nice community event that we are proud to sponsor," he added. "Everyone has worked hard, and it should be a fun day for everyone."

The event coincides with the Conference on New York State History, which is being held at Plattsburgh State this week. Hundreds of historians across the state are expected to visit the area and will have an opportunity to visit the sites Saturday.