Update On Hall Projects

We have been very busy with projects and updates here at the Hall during 2023 and 2024

We are very happy to report that our historic garden now has a wonderful composting system. It is not only attractive, but is very functional and economical as well. We even repurposed the old fence that used to protect our old propane tank. Thank you very much to Don and Gina Mallette, groundskeeper Scott Markham and vice president Scott Sawyer for completing this project. Next summer, the volunteer gardeners giant piles of garden waste will not only be hidden, but will be able to be reused elsewhere on the grounds!

The front fountain has been refurbished and repaired, thanks to board member Scott Sawyer, a generous donation from Bob Gipson, and wonderful workmanship by Eric Planck. After it was removed and sandblasted through many different paint layers, curator Peter Hayes found that it is the original fountain from the 1880s, and it looks great!
Two new paths have been cleared, so we now have five walking trails.
The garden restoration continues. Thanks to our Master Gardener, Gina Mallette, and our 20+ volunteer gardeners, they are continuing to maintain the garden. They have planted one triangle as an herb garden. A brochure is available in the Hall that describes many of the herbs and what they would have been used for during the Constable era. This season they have added French drains to eliminate the drainage issues in the garden. Cory Ryan of Mad River Excavating did the work. All pathways have been completed and are handicapped accessible. A new path has been installed from the front of the hall to the garden entrance. We are in the process of having our garden designs professionally updated to increase variety and extend the garden's season into the fall. For more garden information view our garden page.
Major cleanup by the garden and parking lot.
Put in a culvert to connect the two parking lots.
Put out ten comfortable benches, each with a wonderful view.
Cleaned around the Brick Memorial area and laid the newer bricks that have been purchased.
Took down the dangerous spruce near the back of the Hall. Dahlias have been planted there for the rest of the year.
Removed and leveled the hedge on the south side of the garden. It will be planted to grass this year before being replaced.
Land Office has been reorganized to represent John Constable's office.
The diorama of the farm and grounds has been updated.
A major clean out at the main entrance and in front of the Hall has been completed. The view from the Hall porch has been restored and the Hall is again visible from Route 26. Night time lighting has also been improved for viewing the Hall in the evenings from Route 26.
A Memorial Grove along the driveway has been cleaned out and a pathway built through there for viewing. A Veterans Monument has been installed and some benches have been installed in that area.
New roofs were put on the Servants Quarters and Carriage House outbuildings. Both of the old roofs were leaking. New and improved lighting was installed upstairs in the Carriage House so our artifacts are more accessible and can be better protected.
The Carriage House clapboards were in a state of advanced decay. They have been replaced by new ones with the historically correct red color. The Servants Quarters has also been resided with the appropriate color red..
New signage has been constructed, painted and installed to help direct visitors as they approach.
Several painting projects continue inside and out, the brick wall in the Oneida Room was restored and repaired, and new lighting was installed for the displays.
The unsightly propane tank has been removed and a new one has been buried.

The old gift shop has been cleaned out, repainted and has become the Oneida room. This room features the early history of the Constable family and their interactions with the Oneida Nation. Our special items from the Oneidas have been restored and are on display.
The Gift Shop has moved into the Carriage House. We have many new and different items for sale there.
The brush around the pond has been cleaned out. Proper ditching was restored. A wonderful new path has been cleared and mulched for people to enjoy both sides of the historic pond.
A path has been built through the woods behind the flag pole so that lawn space can be utilized more.
The roofs over the Land Office and chapel had minor leaks. They have been inspected, repaired and their flashing improved.
Textile and furniture experts have visited the Hall to assess the collection.
Improvements are being made to our security system. High speed internet was installed with thanks to matching funds from Spectrum. Now we can support a mesh WiFi network. Multiple security cameras are now installed to monitor the area, with more being added. Remote temperature monitoring was added to alert us within minutes if the furnace fails to come on.
Three huge dangerous trees were removed from the front lawn to safeguard the hall and our visitors.
We have increased our community outreach to encourage more local visitors, tours and usage of the Hall, such as Halloween Trick or Treating, Christmas Caroling on the Veranda, the Hall was "Lit for Christmas" for outside photo ops, S'mores in Constableville, Easter Egg Hunt, and the Colonial Color Run and Costume Contest, Annual Lacrosse Shootout, workshops and classes in the Servants Quarters, Birdwalks, etc.

These improvements cost a significant amount of money. We wish to thank the Northern New York Community Foundation and the Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund, Bob and Nellie Gipson of the Tianaderrah Foundation, Harry and Grace Rissietto, and several anonymous donors.

And of course, our many members, volunteers and supporters donate time, energy and money to make these important changes possible. Thank you very much!