About

2026 Officers

President: Nelson Schwartzentruber

Vice President: Jim Lathan

Secretary: Bernadine Schwartzentruber

Dues are $5.00 per year, $10.00 family per year or a Life membership for $50.00 Junior membership (under 18) Free!

Dues should be sent to:

Mary Kelley

Martinsburg Historical Society

P.O. Box 17

Martinsburg, NY 13404

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at the

Historic Town Hall unless otherwise indicated. All interested

people are invited to attend. 1st meeting in 2026 will be April 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wm. Bush Library. Subsequent meetings will be in the Old Town Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Treasurer: Mary Kelley

Upcoming Events:

MHS Society's 1st 2026 Meeting- April 7, 2026

Martinsburg Day:
August 8, 2026 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Town of Martinsburg Historian

Sue Adsit Office Hours 1-4 pm on Tuesdays or call 315-376-7219 for an appointment.

Research:

The William H. Bush Memorial Library welcomes researchers to look at their collection and view the museum room.

315-376-7490 http://www.martinsburglibrary.org

The William H. Bush Memorial Library also has a "Museum Room" which can be opened upon request.

Library Hours:

Mon: 10:00 am--6:00 pm

Tues: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Wed.10:00 am-6:00 pm

Thurs: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Fri: 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Sat: 10:00 am-Noon

Sun: Closed

The Martinsburg Historical Scoiety has many holding that can be searched. We will add more materials as we get time to list them. However, the following is available:

Shells, D.W. / Wells, R.F. History of Hatfield, Mass. 1910

Keys, Robert L. / Lathan B. The Conkey Family of Pelham Mass. 2004

Lathan B. /Salem Society The Salem Book(copy) 1896

Lathan B. Folders Revolutionary War Vets 2012-14

War of 1812

Spanish / American War

Civil War

White, William E. Tin Whistle Tune Book 1984

Rodeheaver Hall – Mack Co. Sociabilty Songs 1928

Christmas Song Book UK UK

Lathan, Bette/Jim Autograph Album W. Ingersoll 1884

White,D.F. Oneida County 1998 “””

Joslyn Paul D. Mostly Memories 2015 “”

Family Information available:

Rowsam/Wakefield/Weller Pa’s Book/Miles Dening

Jarecki Family History Conkey Family

Hazen Family John Mungo

McGrath/Ryan/Gleason Moore 1919 to present

Robert & Patrick Peebles Hall (D. Waugh)

William Seymour Henry Whitner

Stafford ( 2 ) Rev. Yale

Taylor Schuyler

Questions about Martinsburg History may be addressed to:

Sue Adsit POB 22

Martinsburg, NY 13404

First Lewis County Clerk's Office

The First Lewis County Clerk's Office is the "official home" of the Martinsburg Historical Society (MHS). The building was used by the MHS until the society was able to purchase the building in 2011. Once the purchase was complete the society began major work on the building. Through findraisers and donations the society was able to stabilize the building by putting on a new roof, insulation, new windows, electrical work. and a new ceiling. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. The building is open every Martinburg Day and used for society meetings The building is available at anytime by appointment through contacting Sue Adsit, historian. Please watch for scheduled open houses and special programs.

The President's Corner

The Martinsburg Historical Society has reached a significant milestone in 2026 as it celebrates 50 years since its founding in 1976.

In commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, President Gerald Ford challenged communities across the United States to honor the 200th birthday of our nation in 1976 by establishing a lasting memorial.

To honor the president’s request, six Town of Martinsburg citizens met at the William H. Bush Free Library on Feb. 18, 1976 to form the Martinsburg Historical Society. By-laws were adopted and officers elected. The six charter members included Warren Foote, Pres., Arthur Moore, Vice Pres., Dawn Manzer, Secretary, Margaret Ransier, Treasurer, Mildred Arthur and Doris Thisse. Membership climbed to 21 one month later when the society held its second meeting.

The first project of the society was to plant an evergreen tree in the Martinsburg Cemetery as a memorial from the society.

In 1977 the society undertook the restoration of the Hogsback Cemetery located just south of the Hamlet along NYS Route 26. Trees and brush were removed and a fence was installed surrounding the cemetery.

On April 9, 1983 the society signed a 99-year lease with the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Martinsburg Water Commission renting the original Lewis County Clerk’s Office built in 1847. Extensive renovations were made to the building, including the removal of a garage door that had been installed by the fire department, returning it to its original grandeur. The society purchased the property in 2011 continuing its use to display historical artifacts. Society meetings were held in the building for several years.

In addition to collecting and displaying donated artifacts, the society has undertaken the restoration of several neglected cemeteries honoring fallen soldiers buried in those cemeteries. In 2013 the Town of Martinsburg School District #4 one-room school house was purchased by the society also requiring extensive renovation and restoration. Located on Ramos Road south of Lowville off NYS Route 12, an annual open house is held every May.

Other events sponsored by the society include its annual Martinsburg Day held the second Saturday in Aug., and a program featuring an historic event on the history of the town held in early January.