Our Buildings

General Walter Martin Mansion

Martinsburg, NY

The limestone General Walter Martin Mansion was built between 1803-1805 and is modeled after Sir William Johnson's house in Amsterdam, NY.  It was originally the home of General Walter Martin who was an industrialist and a religious, civic, and educational leader in Lewis County.

This home has also served as a tavern, a convalescent home for Canadian soldiers of World War I, a nursing home, and a restaurant.

On June 23, 2005, the Lewis County Historical Society took ownership of the Martin home for a purchase price of $225,000.  The funding for the project was $150,000 from an anonymous benefactor, while the remaining balance of the purchase price of $75,000 came from mitigation funds provided by Maple Ridge Wind Power Project through the approval of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Masonic Temple

Lowville, NY

The Lewis County Historical Society is housed in the former Masonic Temple, Lowville Lodge #134 F.& A.M.  R.E. Sluyter, of Herkimer, NY, was the architect of the building.  The contract for the building of the temple was originally awarded to William Lyon and Son of Herkimer, but a few days later was purchased by W.H. Rich and Sons of Lowville.

The cornerstone of the new temple was laid April 14, 1928 by M.W. Harold J. Richardson, Grand Master of the State of New York, with a silver trowel presented by the master of the local lodge, Stewart J. Harris.

The temple measures 120x50 feet with an imposing front of red brick and gray stone in the colonial style of architecture.  The building is two stories and basement in front with one story above the basement in the rear.

In 2002, the Lowville Lodge sold the building to the Lewis County Historical Society for $1.00.  The Masons occupy the basement of the building.

- Submitted by Mary Sweeney 

 General Walter Martin Mansion