The Museum Gift Shop
The museum gift shop is one of the best places in Lewis County to buy locally-produced maple syrup and maple products, and one of the most frequently mentioned highlights in visitor reviews. From a recent Tripadvisor visit: "We loved the gift shop as well and loaded up with lots of locally made (both Croghan area and NYS as a whole) maple products. A worthwhile stop, for sure."
What We Sell
The gift shop's offerings change with the seasons and with what local producers have available, but the regular categories include:
Maple Syrup
The heart of the shop. Pure Grade A maple syrup from Lewis County and broader New York State producers, in:
- Small souvenir bottles (4 oz, 8 oz)
- Medium glass bottles (12 oz, pint)
- Larger sizes (quart, half-gallon)
- All four current grades: Golden Delicate, Amber Rich, Dark Robust, Very Dark Strong
Most of the syrup is from producers within an hour of the museum, which makes it about as local as a regional museum gift shop gets.
Other Maple Products
- Maple sugar — granular and pressed forms; the traditional product before the shift to syrup
- Maple candy — pressed-sugar shapes, leaves, and small molds
- Maple cream — a spreadable maple confection
- Maple-coated nuts
- Maple cotton candy — yes, really, when in stock
- Maple-flavored coffees and teas
- Maple barbecue sauces and mustards
Books
- Books on the history of North American maple sugaring
- Cookbooks featuring maple syrup
- Books on Lewis County and the broader Adirondack region
- Children's books about maple syrup, trees, and the seasons
Museum-Branded Items
- T-shirts, hats, and tote bags with the museum logo
- Postcards and notecards featuring photographs from the museum's collection
- Posters and prints
Children's Items
- Small toys related to maple sugaring and Adirondack themes
- Coloring books
- Small educational kits about how syrup is made
Holiday Items (Seasonal)
During the December Croghan Christmas Market and the museum's gift-shop holiday hours, additional holiday-themed inventory is added — wreaths, ornaments, and seasonal maple products like maple-glazed nut mixes and gift baskets.
Where the Money Goes
The gift shop is operated by the museum and proceeds support the museum's operations — building maintenance, exhibit preservation, and the small operating costs of a volunteer-run institution. Buying syrup at the museum supports both a local maple producer (who is paid wholesale by the museum) and the museum itself (which retains the retail markup).
How to Choose a Syrup
For first-time buyers, the most useful question is what you'll use the syrup for:
- For pancakes and waffles: Grade A Amber Rich is the classic choice — the supermarket benchmark, but better.
- For coffee, tea, or yogurt: Golden Delicate, which has a milder flavor that doesn't overwhelm other foods.
- For cooking, baking, or barbecue: Dark Robust, which holds up to heat and other strong flavors.
- For people who already love maple: Very Dark Strong — intensely maple, polarizing for some, transformative for others.
The gift-shop staff are knowledgeable and happy to make recommendations.
Shipping
The gift shop does not currently ship orders. Purchases are in-person only, made at the time of your museum visit. Many visitors travel with insulated coolers and carry larger purchases home that way. Glass bottles are bubble-wrapped on request.
Hours
The gift shop is open during regular museum hours — Memorial Day through early September, with the seasonal schedule shifting between three-days-a-week in June and six-days-a-week in July and August. Full hours
Payment
Cash and major credit cards accepted at the gift-shop counter.