COLTON -- The Colton Museum on Main Street in the hamlet of Colton, which houses the Stone Valley Information Center, continues to be open this summer through Labor Day.

With assistance from Colton-Pierrepont Central School students, members of the Colton-Pierrepont Senior Racqueteers, and volunteers on the town’s Tourism & Beautification Committee the information center is staffed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Wall displays and information racks provide lots of information about things to do, see, and experience in town and the area including the Stone Valley Cooperative Recreation Area (SVCRA).

Stone Valley is a popular destination for a mix of users including hikers who are on the trails all seasons of the year and whitewater kayakers who paddle the river in summer.

The SVCRA includes many miles of trails on land owned by Brookfield Renewable, St. Lawrence County, and the Town of Colton.

Trails on both sides of the river are open for people to hike and bike, explore history, study nature and geology, and just enjoy the outdoors.

This summer Brookfield Renewable has scheduled five water releases in the Stone Valley section of the Raquette River in coordination with American Whitewater to provide predictable conditions for expert-level kayakers.

The last three releases this summer are to be held Aug. 17 and 31 and on Sept. 2.

Typically the biggest day is Saturday of the Labor Day weekend when expert kayakers are timed paddling the whitewater section of the river.

On release days, weather permitting, the town’s Tourism & Beautification Committee will have an information tent set up and staffed near the main trailhead at the end of Riverside Drive.

Staffing of the Stone Valley Information Center allows visitors to tour the Museum and see permanent displays as well as temporary exhibits without having to make an appointment.

This year the temporary exhibit on the first floor of the Museum features ‘The Great South Woods’ which highlights history about A.A. Low and his work, hotels of the past, and more.

It also includes Smokey Bear memorabilia, honoring the work of Smokey during the last 75 years in promoting safe and responsible use of forests and in preventing wildfires.

Exhibit information also is captured in a 2019 Show Program & Historical Guide which is available free along with those of previous years, each jam packed with snippets of town history related to the annual theme and historical research done for the exhibit.

For more information about the summer schedule of activities check the town’s website (www.townofcolton.com) and the Town of Colton page on Facebook.

Also Ruth McWilliams, who chairs the Tourism & Beautification Committee, can be called (315-262-2450) about events, information, and products.