POTSDAM -- The Potsdam Public Museum has received the gift of a carousel horse from the estate of Ruth Haley.

Miss Haley was a well known local resident, retired Latin and history teacher, hockey fan, collector, and guidance counselor in the North Country. She passed away at age 97 in August 2009.

The museum has found strong evidence to identify the horse as being made by the CWF Dare Company. Charles William Dare starting out making hobby horses and was in business from the 1860s to 1890. He later expanded his line to include children’s carriages, toys, and carousel horses, for which he may best be remembered. His store was located at 47 Cortland Street in Brooklyn.

Evidence points to this example being a “little black Dare,” with the tell-tale carved bird head saddle.

The horse is now on display at the museum, in the Civic Center at 2 Park Street. It is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Donor Ruth Haley, affectionately called “Miss North Country Hockey,” was a familiar face at Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University hockey rinks, cheering on the Golden Knights and Saints. Before a Clarkson-St. Lawrence match-up during the 1998-1999 season, Haley was escorted onto the ice and presented with a gift from both schools -- a half-Clarkson, half-St. Lawrence jersey.

If anyone has more information or would like to do further research on the horse, contact Museum Curator, Mimi Van Deusen at 265-6910.