When planning a trip to Potsdam, you can focus on a range of interests: changing museum exhibitions, public music performances, historic buildings, and activities on the water. Each offers a different perspective—from the history of Potsdam and its residents to the route and amenities of the Munter Trail.
Museum and Music
The Potsdam Public Museum regularly changes its exhibitions. It displays objects and shares information about the history of Potsdam and its residents. If you’re visiting for a particular topic, check the exhibition schedule for your travel dates: the content changes with the exhibitions.
The Crane School of Music offers an extensive music program: students, faculty, and guest artists present more than 300 public performances each year. The annual program may vary, so if you have specific travel plans, check which performances fall within your dates. One annual performance features the Crane Chorus and the Crane Symphony Orchestra at Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall.
Architectural History and Sandstone
Potsdam’s historic buildings reflect different architectural styles and aspects of history. Jonathan Wallace House is a Federal-style residence built in 1828 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Old Main has a different historical role: it was the first building constructed to house classrooms for the Thomas S. Clarkson Memorial School of Technology.
The building of St. Mary's Catholic Church is Gothic Revival, built of roughly hewn sandstone, and features a rose window on the façade. Aaron Hopkins Shop is also a sandstone building, with Italianate cornices; it formerly served as a tannery and leather shop. The two examples highlight different aspects of architectural history: the church draws attention to its style and façade detail, while the shop also reflects its former commercial use.
Potsdam Water Works is part of the Market Street Historical District; the building is constructed in the Romanesque Revival style. Another architectural connection can be seen at Trinity Church on Fall Island: it was built as a replica of Trinity Church on Manhattan Island, located at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street. Information about Potsdam Sandstone also includes a walking tour of buildings in Potsdam.
Along the Raquette River and on the Munter Trail
On the banks of the Raquette River, Clarkson University’s Potsdam campus has its own canoe launch. Access to the water may be seasonal; check in advance whether this option is available during your travel dates.
The Munter Trail is wide, flat, and surfaced with compact sand. Its amenities include several viewpoints, picnic areas, and a boat ramp. As trail conditions and amenities may change, check these details before your visit. Outdoor planning considerations differ: access to the canoe launch depends on the season, while the trail also calls for checking current conditions and amenities.
Explore more destinations: Gouverneur, Massena, Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Brasher Falls-Winthrop
Return to the regional travel guide: St. Lawrence.
