The oldest settlement in northern New York [1], established in 1749, Ogdensburg is a busy port and industrial town at the juncture of the Oswegatchie and St. Lawrence Rivers. Along the St. Lawrence downtown runs the Greenbelt Riverfront Park (Riverside Dr.), dotted with historical plaques that detail the War of 1812 Battle of Ogdensburg.
A few blocks south of the park is the town’s foremost visitor attraction—the Frederic Remington Art Museum.
Artist Frederic Remington (1861–1909), best known for his paintings and bronzes of the American West, was born in the northernmost reaches of New York State. In his youth he made a total of 18 trips out West, collecting information and taking photographs that he would later use in his studio in New Rochelle, NY, to create his masterpieces. Remington never lived in Ogdensburg, but was born and is buried in nearby Canton [2]. His wife moved to Ogdensburg after his death.
Housed in an imposing 1810 mansion, the Remington Art Museum (303 Washington St., at State St., 315/393-2425, www.fredericremington.org [3], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and 1–5 p.m. Sun. May–Oct., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Wed.–Sat. and 1–5 p.m. Sun. Nov.–Apr., adults $9, students and seniors $8, children under 15 free) contains the largest single Remington collection in the United States.
On display are scores of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, illustrations, and bronzes, including many small and relatively unknown gems. One room is filled with watercolors depicting the Adirondacks [4], another with a reproduction of Remington’s studio. The most valuable Remingtons are kept in a locked gallery that is only open during guided tours, scheduled regularly throughout the day.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-state
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-state/the-adirondacks/the-thousand-islands/canton
[3] http://www.fredericremington.org
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-state/the-adirondacks