Antique Boat Museum

Antique Boat Museum Upcoming Events:

62nd Antique Boat Show & Auction - July 31 - August 2
Bob Speltz Day - August 15
Small Craft Festival - October 10
(600)

Antique Boat Museum (ABM) Statement of Purpose:
To collect, preserve, study and interpret objects related to the fresh water nautical history of small craft (less than 100′) of eastern North America, with emphasis on the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding area.

⛈️ COMMUNITY SAILING CANCELLED THIS WEEKThunderstorms are heading our way, so Community Sailing is cancelled for this we...
09/02/2026

⛈️ COMMUNITY SAILING CANCELLED THIS WEEK

Thunderstorms are heading our way, so Community Sailing is cancelled for this week.

⛵ We hope to be back on the water Tuesday, September 8 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.

Stay dry, and we’ll see you on the river next week!

Boats. Beer. Buoys. Fall on the River starts here. ⛵🍺The 3rd Annual Small Craft Festival returns to the Antique Boat Mus...
09/02/2026

Boats. Beer. Buoys. Fall on the River starts here. ⛵🍺

The 3rd Annual Small Craft Festival returns to the Antique Boat Museum this fall for a full day of getting out on the water, trying new things, and celebrating the St. Lawrence River.

📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
🌦️ Festival held rain or shine; on-water activities are weather permitting
📍 Antique Boat Museum | Clayton, NY

Grab your friends, layer up, and spend a fall day by the River. Sail, row, or paddle on the St. Lawrence, watch sailing races and bronze casting demonstrations, try knot tying and painting, explore the Museum, then grab some food and a beer and put your River knowledge to the test.

🏆 TRIVIA CONTEST | 1 p.m.

Think you know the River? Come solo or bring a team and compete for a private 2-hour cruise aboard Zipper, plus a complimentary Museum membership!

No boating experience is necessary. Small Craft Festival is all about getting hands-on, giving something new a try, and experiencing recreational boating history firsthand.

The festival is held during I Love New York’s Path Through History Weekend, when historic and cultural sites across the state bring New York’s past to life through hands-on experiences.

🎟️ Admission
Adults: $15
Children 6 & under: Free
Discounted admission available for seniors and military personnel.

Come for the boats. Stay for the beer and trivia. And whatever you do, don’t leave without going for a sail.

More festival details are still to come, so stay tuned!

📣 We’re hiring!As some of our seasonal team members head back to school, we’re looking for a few friendly faces to help ...
08/31/2026

📣 We’re hiring!

As some of our seasonal team members head back to school, we’re looking for a few friendly faces to help us finish the season on the River!

The Antique Boat Museum is currently hiring for:

🎟️ Admissions Clerk
🛍️ Museum Store Sales Clerk

These part-time seasonal positions are available now through the end of October and are perfect for someone who enjoys working with people, being part of a team, and helping create a welcoming experience for Museum visitors.

As an ABM ambassador, you’ll help make an important first impression, answer questions and assist guests upon arrival.

📍 Antique Boat Museum | Clayton, NY
🔗 View full job descriptions at abm.org
📧 Send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them or share this post!

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a special shopping trip to the Antique Boat Museum Store! From Friday, September 4 thro...
08/26/2026

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a special shopping trip to the Antique Boat Museum Store! From Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7, 2026, enjoy savings of up to 40% on select merchandise.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, searching for a unique gift, or bringing home a reminder of the Thousand Islands, you’ll find something special at the Museum Store.

Admission to the Museum is not required to shop.
Find Something for Every River Lover

Explore a distinctive collection inspired by the boating heritage and natural beauty of the Thousand Islands, including:

- Antique Boat Museum apparel
- Nautical gifts and home décor
- Boating-themed souvenirs
- Collectibles and keepsakes
- Gifts for boaters and river lovers

Selection is limited, so stop in early for the best variety.

*Sale Excludes Jewelry, Books, Food & Consignments | Sale Does Not Combine With Any Other Offers

🔥 POUR IT. CAST IT. TAKE IT HOME.Don’t miss your chance to get hands-on with traditional metalworking during our Bronze ...
08/26/2026

🔥 POUR IT. CAST IT. TAKE IT HOME.

Don’t miss your chance to get hands-on with traditional metalworking during our Bronze Casting Workshop with master craftsman Michael Saari at the Antique Boat Museum!

Over five days, you’ll learn the bronze casting process from start to finish, including patternmaking, sand molding, pouring molten bronze, and cleaning and finishing your completed pieces.

Participants will create their own wooden patterns and typically leave the workshop with 3–4 finished bronze pieces such as cleats, row locks, hooks, chocks, fair leads, small tools, and more.

You won’t just watch the process; you’ll be part of it, pouring molten bronze, learning hands-on techniques, and creating marine hardware of your own.

📅 September 26 – 30
⏰ 8 am - 4 pm
📍 Antique Boat Museum | Clayton, NY
💰 $450 ABM Members | $500 Non-Members

Seats won’t last. Register today to secure your place, spend five days learning from a master craftsman, and leave with bronze pieces you made yourself.

🔗 Click the link in the comments to register!

🌊 What’s the Health of the River?Don’t forget to join us tomorrow evening for the next installment of the Homer L. Dodge...
08/13/2026

🌊 What’s the Health of the River?

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow evening for the next installment of the Homer L. Dodge Lecture Series featuring Emilie DeRochie of the River Institute!

📅 Friday, August 14
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 Robert O. Cox Theatre at the Antique Boat Museum
💻 Also streamed live on YouTube (Link in comments)

Using the St. Lawrence River as its natural laboratory, the River Institute conducts research that helps us better understand the health of the River and the ecosystems that depend on it.

Emilie will share the history of the River Institute, highlights from its research projects, how science is being used in service to our communities, and ways we can all help protect the St. Lawrence River for generations to come.

Come discover some of the fascinating science happening right in our own backyard! 🔬🐟🌿

No RSVP needed.

📚Go Behind the Scenes of ABM’s Library & Archives at our 2nd Annual Bob Speltz Day!Bob Speltz was a passionate historian...
08/11/2026

📚Go Behind the Scenes of ABM’s Library & Archives at our 2nd Annual Bob Speltz Day!

Bob Speltz was a passionate historian, writer, and lifelong boating enthusiast whose multi-volume series, The Real Runabouts, remains one of the most respected resources on classic wooden boats. His dedication to documenting boats, builders, and their stories helped preserve an incredible piece of boating history for generations to come.

📅 Saturday, August 15
⏰ 10 am to 5 pm
🎟️ Museum Admission: $15
📍 Antique Boat Museum - Clayton, NY

Bob Speltz Day gives visitors a special opportunity to experience ABM’s Lou Smith Library & Marion Clayton Link Archives up close and learn more about the work that goes into preserving and sharing these collections.

Throughout the Day:

📸 Digitization Station – Bring in your photos and we’ll scan them on the spot. You’ll get a digital copy on your own ABM flash drive!

💻 Digitization Demonstrations – See firsthand how historic photographs and documents are digitized and preserved.

🔎 Museum-Wide Scavenger Hunt – Put your observation skills to the test with a scavenger hunt across the Museum campus.

📚 Research Help Desk – Have a question about a boat, builder, or piece of wooden boating history? Our staff can help point you toward the right resources.

Bob Speltz Day is proudly sponsored by the Land-O-Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS).

*Artwork from The Real Runabouts IV book cover

🍕⛵ Sail for a Slice is Back! ⛵🍕Every great sail deserves a great slice.Join us on the River, Wednesday, August 12, as we...
08/05/2026

🍕⛵ Sail for a Slice is Back! ⛵🍕

Every great sail deserves a great slice.

Join us on the River, Wednesday, August 12, as we sail from the Antique Boat Museum to the Clayton Yacht Club for a delicious slice (or two!)

📅 August 12
⏰ Participants must arrive by 3:30 pm
📍 Departing from the Antique Boat Museum - 750 Mary St. Clayton, NY

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required, so don’t wait! To register, contact Molly Voth at [email protected] or 315.686.4104 ext. 225.

Because life’s better with a little wind in your sails and pizza on your plate. 🌊🍕

🌧️ Boat Show Parade is Postoned Until Next Year 🚤Unfortunately, Mother Nature has spoken, and apparently, she did not pu...
08/02/2026

🌧️ Boat Show Parade is Postoned Until Next Year 🚤

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has spoken, and apparently, she did not put the Annual Boat Show Parade on today’s schedule.

Because of the storms coming through and for the safety of our participants and spectators, the parade has been postponed until 2027. Thank you for understanding, and we’ll see you next year, hopefully with calmer skies and more cooperative weather!

Address

750 Mary Street
Clayton, NY
13624

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(315) 686-4104

Website

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