Clinton Historical Society

The mission of the Clinton Historical Society is to collect, preserve, document, research, and interpret the Town of Kirkland and the Clinton community’s past for current and future generations, and to make its rich heritage readily available to our membership and general public through public programs, exhibits and publications.

A visionary group of community members, including Phil Munson, Ed Stanley, Mary Dever, Patricia Collmer, Fred Turner, Esq. and Walter Pilkington, organized the Clinton Historical Society in 1962. Each one recognized the rich heritage of the Village of Clinton, Town of Kirkland and hamlets of Clark Mills, Franklin Springs, Kirkland, and Chuckery.

Their humble goal, “preserving the past for the future,” guided them as they developed a plan to conserve this extraordinary history. Their mission was to help future generations enjoy and better understand their community’s past.

First located in the Community Room above the Kirkland Town Library, in 1993 the Society was presented the opportunity to purchase the former 1832 Clinton Baptist Church. After a generous response by Society members and the community, the Clinton Historical Society purchased the property. Fifty-six years after its founding, the CHS enjoys a beautiful home in the fully renovated space at 1 Fountain Street in Clinton.

Today the Clinton Historical Society is proud of its accessible Munson Library, informative exhibits, comfortable program space, and over 500 members!