North Country At Work

Racquette River Printshop sign, designed by Paul Davison, depicts view from nearby bridge upstream toward Ives Park in Potsdam, NY. Photo: Dale Hobson

Proprietor Dale Hobson outside the back door of Racquette River Printshop in downtown Potsdam’s historic Cox Building, 1978. Out of frame to right is the shop canoe, on the river bank below the downtown bridge. Meal breaks on the water and evening paddles were a regular employee benefit. Photo: courtesy Dale Hobson

Poet (and small press publishing partner) Allen Hoey (left) examines printed proofs. Artist and press operator Paul Davison looks on. Racquette River Printshop, 7 Market St., Potsdam, NY, January 1978. Photo: Dale Hobson

Dale Hobson in Racquette River Printshop, 7 Market St., Potsdam, NY, January 1978. Adjusting enlargement on a vertical graphic arts camera. A home made darkroom extension closes in the top, containing a home made vacuum back for holding film sheets flat. It was powered by an antique Electrolux home vacuum cleaner. Photo: courtesy Dale Hobson

Dale Hobson in Racquette River Printshop, 7 Market St., Potsdam, NY, January 1978. Machine is a cast-iron powered paper cutter built by Oswego Machine Works in 1903. Originally designed to be powered by belt and pulley from a central shop motor, its own massive 3-horsepower motor was attached c. 1930. Photo: courtesy Dale Hobson

Martha Foley with the North Country Preservation Band at a fundraiser for North Country Public Radio in Eben Holden at St. Lawrence University. Players from left: Fritz Renick, Warren Wisner, unknown, unknown, unknown. Canton, NY. Donated by North Country Public Radio.

Helen Stoddard framing photos in Stoddard’s Studio. Circa 1880. Glens Falls, NY. Photo by Seneca Ray Stoddard. Courtesy of the Chapman Museum.

Photographer Seneca Ray Stoddard in his studio. He is sitting at his desk, looking out the window. Circa 1880. Glens Falls, NY. Photo by Seneca Ray Stoddard. Courtesy of the Chapman Museum.

Artist R.M. Shurtleff, who owned summer property in Keene Valley for 30 years, painting. Circa 1910. Keene Valley, NY. Photo by Dr. Normand Smith; donated by Maria Atkinson. Courtesy of the Keene Valley Library Archives.

Sarah P. Ranney at the organ in the Congregational Church. 1906. Keene Valley, NY. Courtesy of the Keene Valley Library Archives.