BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The Canton community will soon say goodbye to a familiar face in the Canton Historian’s Office.

Linda Casserly is retiring on Dec. 20 after promoting the rich history of Canton and beyond for the past 29 years.

“My family has been pushing me to retire,” said Casserly at the Nov. 13 monthly meeting of the Canton Town Board. 

In all, Casserly has worked for the town for 34 years. From May 1990 to 2013 she served as deputy town clerk and tax collector, and Canton historian. In 2013, she held the historian’s position.

“I loved every one of my jobs,” stated Casserly who was appointed historian on June 20, 1995 by then Town Supervisor Anne Ryan.

She said she would volunteer her time to help acclimate her successor to the position. 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked for the Town and Village of Cankton and am grateful to all of you for the support you’ve provided me. It’s been an honor to work on such an inspiring innovative team and I will miss connecting with you, our colleagues and the community on a daily basis,” stated Casserly in her resignation letter.

Casserly spent the bulk of her time as historian on the second floor of the Canton Municipal Building. In 2022, the office moved to a more spacious location at 7 Main Street where the historian, with the help of several volunteers, displayed once hidden items from the town’s collection.

“You’ve had quite the journey,” Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley remarked. She noted that the town board is planning a celebration to honor Casserly at a date and time to be announced.

The public is invited  to an open house on Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Canton Historian office.

The Town of Canton is currently accepting applications for the position, setting a deadline of Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. The job entails a 19-hour work week with an hourly wage of $20.24.

Duties include preserving, gathering, evaluating and interpreting historical records, archives, analyzing information to determine authenticity and significance, interface with the public in identifying historical structures, updating records, education and documentation of the past through a variety of publications.

Interested persons are asked to submit a letter of interest, the town application available at www.cantonny.gov, a resume and three written references to Town Clerk Heidi Smith, 60 Main St., Canton, NY 13617

Prestigious state award

One highlight of Casserly’s career as historian occurred in 2018 when she was presented the Association of Public Historians of New York State Award for Excellence in Promoting Local History.

“To be honored by my peers in New York state and being from this little village of Canton, New York, I am humbled,” said Casserly in an article in the St. Lawrence Plaindealer. “Everyone has to have a passion. There is so much history here and I inherited a great collection.”

At that time, Casserly acknowledged former Canton historians Ed Helm, Betty Mayhew, Harriett Armstrong, Malcolm McCormick and Eddie Brackett.

“Historians are guardians of the past and it’s important to keep the history of the community alive. Especially for the senior citizens, parents and our school children,” she added. “If we don;t know our past, how are we going to know our future? We teach, we conserve and celebrate uniquely our local legacy.”

“Retiring to this job has been a blessing. I have to thank Anne Ryan, Jim Smith, David Button (town supervisors over then 23 years) and Jim Monroe, Bob Wells, Mary Ann Ashley and Mike Dalton (mayors).”