The Friends of Lyon Mountain were formed by members of the Chateaugay Arts Council interested in creating a museum in Lyon Mountain. Many artifacts and photos had been collected for such events as Heritage Days, Mining Days, and Railroad Days, and the Friends wanted to find a permanent home in which to preserve and display these historic treasures.
The Friends of Lyon Mountain Mining and Railroad Museum is housed in the former Delaware and Hudson Railroad Station on Standish Road in Lyon Mountain, NY. The Friends purchased the building, which was constructed in 1903, in August, 2000. Since then, the Friends have worked very hard to raise money and restore the building in order to make it suitable to house the museum. The Friends also succeeded in placing the building on the state and national historic registers, making the restoration project eligible for state and federal grants.
Through grants, donations, membership dues, and various fundraising efforts, funds have been accumulated and used to renovate the entire building with particular attention being placed on historical accuracy and authenticity. The exterior was fully restored, the interior painted and the floor refinished.
The Friends have also been very busy collecting, cataloguing and restoring artifacts; refurbishing furnishings; and organizing many displays. The artifacts are related, of course, to the iron ore mining and railroad industries, both of which played major roles in Lyon Mountain's history.
The Museum is open now through September 2007 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Various displays of artifacts may be viewed, and books and calendars are available for sale. If you're interested in helping or joining the Friends of Lyon Mountain, read on to see what you can do.