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Interview: Judelle White begins first full-season as Executive Director at Constable Hall; talks opening day for tours and need for volunteers

Published on May 23, 2022

Judelle White

CONSTABLEVILLE- Constable Hall has unveiled their new Executive Director as the 2022 tour and events season nears.

A native to Boonville, NY, and Adirondack High School Alumna '13, Judelle White says she took on the position in August last-year after someone notified her that the position was up for grabs.

"It's been a year of adjusting and now we're ramping towards my first season as director," Ms. White told us. "It's going to be fun! It's going to be great, I am really excited!"  

White replaces her predecessor, Sandra Roberts. Be sure to listen to our latest on-air interview here:

Constable Hall is known as the "Jewell of the North Country" and was first erected during the early 1800’s by William Constable, Jr.

According to Constable Hall, William's father, William Sr., was a wealthy New York City merchant who owned 3.8 million acres of Northern New York and was responsible for beginning the development of the entire region – encompassing all of Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence and parts of Oswego, Herkimer and Franklin counties.

After nine years of construction, the Hall was completed in 1819.

The nearby village, first settled in 1796 and originally known as Shalersville, eventually took on the name of Constableville, NY.

IM000093.JPG

Constable Hall image.

Several generations of the Constable family lived at the Hall until it was sold in 1947.

By 1949 it was restored as a house museum and opened to the public for tours and event usage. It has become a favorite community and tourist attraction.

Despite the robust and fascinating local history that draws visitors in from all over, White tells us there are still quite a few locally who don't even know the establishment exists.  

"I want to say it's more common than we want it to be that people from the area don't even know that we are there." 

White has a sincere interest for all things historically local, which was a driving factor as to why she took on becoming Executive Director.

"I have a background in non-profit admin work and I thought it might be a good fit," she explained. "So I thought, you know, with anybody who's going to take the job, it should be someone from the area."   

Opening day for tours this season at Constable Hall will be Friday, May 27. The tour schedule is as follows:

  • Wed-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, you can visit Constable Hall's website. Their mailing address is: Constable Hall. 5909 John St P.O. Box 36. Constableville, NY 13325.

You can also call 315-397-2323 and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Constable Hall Garden

Constable Hall image.

Even though several events and tours were impacted during 2021, many projects went forward:

-The garden restoration continued during 2021. We have completed removing the weeds from two triangles that will be re-planted this summer and we are setting up a third triangle as an herb garden. A composting system has been set up. During 2022 we look forward to adding railings on the steps, continue leveling the garden by adding dirt, improving the irrigation system, and refining the walkway edges.

-The entrance driveway had much unsightly brush removed.

-A major cleanout in front of the Hall has been completed. The view from the Hall porch has been restored and the Hall is again visible from Route 26.

-A Memorial Grove along the driveway has been cleaned out. During 2022, a Veterans recognition monument and a couple benches will be added.

-New roofs were put on the Servants Quarters and Carriage House outbuildings. Both of the old roofs were leaking.

-The Carriage House clapboards were in a state of advanced decay. They have been replaced by new ones with the historically correct red color.

-The four chimneys of the Hall had been leaking for years. During late 2021, masonry repair and new chimney caps were put on and the problem appears to be solved.

 Active 2022 projects:

-The old gift shop has been cleaned out and will be turned into the Oneida room. This room will feature the early history of the Constable family and their interactions with the Oneida Nation. The Gift shop is moving into the Carriage House.

-The Executive Director’s office is also moving into the Carriage House. The vacated room will return to its historically correct role as a Land Office.

-The brush around the pond will be cleaned out. The pond will be dredged, and proper ditching restored.

-A dangerous White Pine hanging over the Hall will be taken down and others trimmed.

-The roofs over the Land Office and chapel have minor leaks. They will be inspected, repaired and their flashing improved.

-Textile and furniture experts will be visiting the Hall this summer to assess the collection.

-Improvements will be made to our security system.

Constable Hall wishes to thank the Northern New York Community Foundation and the Kenneth V. and Jeannette Remp Sawyer Community Fund, Bob and Nellie Gipson of the Tianaderrah Foundation, Harry and Grace Rissietto, and several anonymous donors for providing funding, which ensures progress for any upgrades and improvements.

Headline image courtesy via Judelle White.

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