MADRID – A historical stockade fort will soon be constructed on the grounds of the St. Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.

The museum Board of Trustees at their recent annual meeting approved adding the new exhibit. Groundbreaking is planned for 2020.

The fort will be a living tribute to St. Lawrence County residents who mustered in and fought courageously in the American Civil War, 1861-1865.

Located near the fort’s main entrance will be a memorial to the Medal of Honor recipients of St. Lawrence County. In addition, an honor roll with the names of all those serving during the war by regiment will be on display within the barracks, along with historical photos and memorabilia.

“The presence of this display at our museum will enrich the visitors’ appreciation of the colorful history of the North Country and its role in the ‘War Between the States.’ We look forward to moving ahead with this project and the associated activities that will take place at the fort,” Joe Finnegan, Museum Board of Trustees president, said in a news release.

The fort will include barracks, headquarters and a parade ground with a flagpole as its centerpiece. The project will be completed in phases. Initially the stockade fence and gate will be built, then the barracks and finally the headquarters.

Scott Wilson, a volunteer, will be the project coordinator and will be responsible for its construction, and upon its completion will oversee the living history interpreters.

This new exhibit will enable not only regular museum visitors to get a glimpse of camp life during the war, but will provide an opportunity to visit to school-aged children in grades 4 and 7 who are studying the Civil War as part of the NYS curriculum.

“Although no battles were fought in New York, our state provided more to troops to the Union Army than any other state. I can’t put into words how proud I am of those brave individuals. Many were farm boys who had never left the county or even ridden on a train. Yet, they answered the call to arms in defense of the Union. This is the least we can do to show our devotion to those who sacrificed so much,” Wilson said in the release.

Fundraising for the project is underway. “We are going to call on individuals, organizations and businesses to assist us in making this a realty. I am very grateful to the Museum’s Board of Trustees and membership who overwhelmingly support it, states Wilson.” If one would like to make a contribution, please send it to the SLPE Museum, attention: Fort Project, PO Box 400, Madrid, NY 13660. The museum is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit and all donations are tax deductible.