CANTON – The St. Lawrence County Historical Association has joined the fervor of the annual Rushton Canoe Races with an extension of the museum’s Rushton canoe exhibit.

The Historical Association is also participating in a canoe and paddle raffle to raise money for the new American Disability Act kayak/canoe launch to be unveiled April 30 at Taylor Park in Canton in time for the Rushton Canoe Races May 6-8 with 50 to 60 handicapped participants expected.

“On display we have eight of the original 13 model canoes Rushton had built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, a piece of calfskin art done by artists F.J. Lucas in 1906 as an advertisement piece for Rushton’s Indian Girl canoe, a 17-foot Indian Girl on loan from Mark McKenna of Canton,” explained SLCHA Executive Director Robert Clarke.

The exhibit also features paddles made by local artisans, pieces from Atwood Manley’s collection, and more, Clarke noted.

An autographed Peter Hornbeck canoe, valued at $1,600, and a Gene Newman graphite paddle, valued at $200, will be presented to two lucky winners at a May 7 drawing.

“I want to thank everyone who has donated to the launch and supported the raffle,” said Mark McKenna, the stalwart behind the fundraising and construction efforts for the ADA launch.

Tickets for the Hornbeck canoe are $20 each. Tickets for the paddle are $5 each. Besides the Historical Association, tickets can be purchased in Canton at Coakley Home and Hardware, The Pear Tree, Pike’s Auto Services, Triple A Building Center, The Stadium, the Hoot Owl, LeBerge & Curtis Rental, Grasse River Outfitters, the Canton VFW Post, Hank Ford’s barbershop, the Celtic Knot, Shoulette’s Redemption Depot/Beer Store, Riverside Liquors, Bessette’s Bottles and Beverages, North Country Auto, TAUNY, Mullin's, Sergi's and Linda’s Hair Salon on Rt. 11.

The Hornbeck canoe is a 10-foot classic influenced and shaped by John Henry Rushton’s “Wee Lassie’ canoe. The composite is kevlar/graphite and the canoe weighs just 15 pounds.

Founder of Hornbeck Boats in Olmstedville, N.Y., Peter passed away in December 2020.