Albert Graves, who later changed his name to Albert Clifton, was a drummer boy in the Civil War who was among about 100 captured northern soldiers that escaped a Confederate prison by tunneling under a road.
Clifton later moved to Hague and built the Island Harbor House hotel, which he operated until his death.
Hague Historical Society President Ginger Kuenzel brought Clifton’s Civil War drum to the Hague Town Board meeting on Sept. 8 for a show-and-tell, which Councilman Jack Bast narrated.
“This is just one of many artifacts that we have,” Kuenzel said.
Kuenzel said the town should install a sprinkler system in the town community center building to prevent artifacts from being destroyed in a fire and to protect those who work in the building or attend meetings there.
“I think it’s a public safety issue,” she said.
The community center houses town offices, a large, frequently used meeting room, the town court room and a small history museum.
The Historical Society has been pushing the Town Board to conduct a feasibility study of installing a sprinkler system and constructing an addition to the community center to house a larger history museum.
Warren County code enforcement officials have informed the Historical Society that if the building is expanded, a sprinkler system must be installed to comply with current code, which has been updated since the building was constructed.
“The building is not up to code,” Kuenzel said.
Councilwoman Edna Frasier is searching for possible grant funding opportunities for the proposed study, said Councilwoman Maureen Cherubini.
“So, it is being looked into,” Cherubini said.
Supervisor Joshua Pattchett said it is not clear whether the general public is willing to shoulder the cost of a larger museum.
“It’s not a foregone conclusion that the community wants an addition to the community center,” he said.
Kuenzel said that a sprinkler system should be installed regardless of whether the building is expanded.
“That’s a separate issue,” she said, referring to the possible addition.
In other Sept. 8 Hague Town Board news:
- The board accepted the resignation of long-time town Planning Board member Pam Peterson.
Pattchett praised Peterson for her “exemplary service” over the years, including as chairwoman and vice chairwoman at various times.
“She has served very well,” he said.
The board appointed Jami Jordan, most recently Planning Board alternate member, to fill the remainder of Peterson’s term, which concludes Dec. 31, 2027.
The board is accepting resumes from applicants interested in serving as alternate.
The board scheduled a special Town Board meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 for presentation of the proposed 2027 Town Budget.
Councilman Bast announced that the state Comptroller’s office notified the town on Aug. 12 that a backlog of work would prevent the office from conducting the town’s requested audit of Ticonderoga Central School District financial procedures this year, but would make it “a priority” for next year. The board scheduled public hearings at the Oct. 13 Town Board meeting on requested wastewater system variances at 11 Paine Rd., 250 Silver Bay Rd., 239 Silver Bay Rd., and 9675 Lake Shore Drive.
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