The Sackets Harbor Historical Society was founded to preserve the historic buildings in Sackets Harbor, many of which had fallen into severe disrepair.
The Historical Society’s first major preservation effort was the ruinous 1834 Bank Building on the corner of Main and Broad Streets. The building needed significant structural work, as well as complete rehabilitation of interior spaces, including the installation of all electrical, plumbing, and heating systems.
Completed in the early 1990s, the Bank Building currently houses the Sackets Harbor branch of Watertown Savings Bank and the Historical Society’s office and exhibit gallery. The successful completion of the rehabilitation of that historically and economically critical building was an inspiring example of how the re-adaptive re-use of Sackets Harbor’s buildings could revive the Village.
Our preservation efforts continued in the 1990s when the Historical Society purchased the 1809 Samuel F. Hooker House to save it from proposed demolition. Located in the heart of Sackets Harbor’s business district, that historic building was one of the last eyesores on West Main Street, which was badly in need of rehabilitation. In partnership with the Arts Association of Northern New York (AANNY), the Samuel F. Hooker House was renovated and now serves as AANNY’s Art Center.
Most recently, the Historical Society acquired the former Christ Episcopal Church. It is our intent to preserve the former church (now called the “Old Stone Chapel”) to the greatest extent possible and use it as a community cultural center. Although in much better condition than the Bank building and Samuel F. Hooker House, the Old Stone Chapel needs significant exterior work, including repair of woodwork, painting, and weatherization.