The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is located in Silas Wright's house. Silas Wright was the first lawyer in Canton and Governor of New York from 1844-46. He also held many other important offices such as State Senator, U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator. In addition to this, he turned down an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court and a nomination to run for Vice-President with James K. Polk. At the time of his death in 1847, he was considered a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1848.

Silas Wright's house originally consisted of two rooms. After the Wrights moved in, renovations were made and several more rooms were added on. The study contains the actual desk and rocker Wright used. He spent a great deal of time here, conducting official business. He might even have set up a cot for those late nights. Because of his status, he would have owned a traveling letter box, like the one on display. It would have included an ink well, pen, paper, sealing wax and personal stamp. Leaning against the desk is a carved walking stick, given to him as a gift. The handle is made out of deer antler and has his initials carved in it. There are two clocks, a mantle clock and a large grandfather clock. On one of the walls is Silas' portrait.

All gentlemen of his era would have owned a tophat. His sits tucked away in a locked hat box on the floor. The hat was made in nearby Burlington, Vermont and was a symbol of his wealth and importance.

The dining room was one of the original rooms. In the center stands a large table with four matching chairs. On the right wall is a huge fireplace with cooking capabilities. Two rocking chairs sit in the corners. On the front wall is a large picture originally thought to be Wright's wife, Clarissa. It is now thought however that it may be a relative. Standing against a back wall is a large sideboard and a smaller buffet. They contain a china soup tureen and many kerosene lamps. The lamps have glass crystals hanging from them to reflect the light.

Silas Wright's portrait overlooks the house today, just as he overlooked and supervised it in the 1830s and 40s. The back room was built as an addition. It was used as a kitchen when the Wrights purchased a cookstove. The cookstove is large, black and made of cast iron. The burners look like metal discs. Wood, in the nearby woodbox, was used to heat it. Other antique kitchen accessories include: butter churns, a wooden butter bowl and ladle, cooking utensils, coffee grinds, candle molds, muffin tins, baskets, crocks and a large jug. There is also a spinning wheel in the corner. The bedroom is small and quaint. The bed takes up most of the space. On it is a red and cream reversible woven coverlet. Other furniture includes a nightstand, chair and desk. A rug on the floor and trunk make the room seem cozy and familiar. There is also a bureau with a lamp and two bonnets on it.

The parlors were another addition to the Silas Wright House. You will see a piano there displaying a single piece of music - Governor Wright's Grand March which was dedicated to Silas Wright. The center table in this room actually belonged to him. Other furniture is from the time he lived and includes fancy Victorian lamps, wicker chairs, a sofa and a McKee Brothers melodian which was made in nearby Morley, New York.

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