Experience a Part of History
Experience a Part of History
Our picturesque downtowns dot the map with plenty of arts and culture avenues to explore. Meanwhile, our fun and fascinating historical artifacts represent a microcosm of American history and offer important learning opportunities. Explore art galleries, museums, theatres, live music venues and more. The Adirondack Mountains serve as the perfect backdrop for creative pursuits and continue to inspire artists, helping the art and music scene grow in Franklin County. Our region offers a unique mix of artistic and creative pursuits – whether you’re seeking a night out at the theatre, a day of learning about history, or a hands-on art class, we have it all. Experience arts and culture in Franklin County and start living like a local.
Frontier Facts
Art Galleries
Museums
- Fine Arts
- Live Music and Performing Arts
- Historic Attractions
Cultivating Fine Art
The Downtown Artist Cellar in Malone features the work of local artists, including handmade jewelry, pottery, home decor, photography and paintings. In addition, there’s always a show on display at the gallery. The Foothills ARTSociety, dedicated to advancing art awareness and creativity in the Malone region, works to strengthen the local community by sponsoring special events, enriching group engagement through workshops and exhibits, supporting local artists and furthering partnerships. Saranac Lake is also home to a host of fine arts galleries, including the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, NorthWind Fine Arts Gallery, Historic Saranac Lake Gallery and many more. Saranac Lake ArtWorks is a not-for-profit organization that uses the arts to promote local communities – and to connect audiences to local artists. The Tupper Arts Center in Tupper Lake offers two levels of art galleries and retail shopping from local artists.
Celebrating Local Performers
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, a staple in Franklin County since 1967, provides visual and performing arts, arts education, workshops, and other programs to the residents and visitors of the Adirondack Park. North Franklin Theatre Group in Malone puts on performances year-round for the local community, from musicals and plays to comedy shows and dinner theatre. Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake is an award-winning professional theatre and the only year-round professional repertory in the Adirondacks. The historic Adirondack State Theatre in Tupper Lake has been in business since 1914, today maintaining many of the old fashioned theater details that make it so unique.
Hands-on History
The Franklin County Historical Society and Museum has been collecting artifacts and information that tell the history of Franklin County since its inception in 1968. Exhibits feature Native American artifacts, information on Lewis & Clark’s Corp of Discovery, railroad development, agriculture, irrigation, area ferries and bridges, and a wealth of local artifacts and photos. Discover a treasure trove of historic items from the local community at the Piercefield Museum in Tupper Lake and at the Saranac Laboratory Museum. Franklin County is home to important Native American history, with many tribes still located in the area today. Visitors can learn more about Native American history at the expansive Six Nations Indian Museum, which houses over 3,000 artifacts with an emphasis on the culture of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora. The Akwesasne Library and Cultural Center, a cultural hub of the local Native community, is a public library and museum that serves surrounding communities and the visiting public by providing access to educational and cultural resources.