About Us

The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1948 and chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1967. The mission of the Society is to preserve and present our community’s history in ways that are educational and enriching for residents and visitors.

 

The Lake Placid train station was built in 1904. The trains came and went here daily until April 24, 1965, when New York Central Railroad ceased operations. Americans were in love with the automobile, and the train station fell silent. In 1967, the train depot was purchased by Lake Placid sisters, M. Frances and Louise Brewster. They donated the building and its land to the Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society to provide a permanent home for the organization and to create a museum to showcase the history of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba. In 1980 the trains ran briefly. The Utica to Lake Placid line was revived by New York State for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, but bankruptcy halted the trains soon after.

 

The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society continues to operate The History Museum in the old Lake Placid depot today and welcomes visitors to explore the Town’s past from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend.