The Town Historian is responsible for collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of the Town of Burns and its people. Through records, photographs, artifacts, and personal accounts, the Historian’s office maintains a vital link between our past and present — ensuring that the stories that shaped Burns continue to inspire future generations.

The Town’s historical archives are housed on the second floor of the Essential Club Free Library in Canaseraga. These materials are available by appointment only, providing researchers, students, and residents with guided access to an extensive collection of local records.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the archives, which include business records, family histories, photographs, and documentation of our community’s schools, churches, and public institutions.

Historical Collections

The Town Historian’s archives include a wide range of materials chronicling nearly two centuries of Burns history:

• Business journals and ledgers from early local enterprises
• Family files and photographs, including portraits and group images
• Histories of local institutions — fire department, churches, community sports, and entertainment
• Records from Burns’ early schools, including class photos, attendance ledgers, and artifacts from the Union School
• Scrapbooks compiled by Mary Jane Kingston, containing family and business memorabilia
• Town Jail records and memorabilia, reflecting the civic history of Burns

This list represents only a portion of the available materials. If you are seeking specific information, please reach out — the Historian may already have what you’re looking for or can help direct you to additional resources and primary documents.

Burns Township Historic Jail

Located on West Main Street in Canaseraga, the historic Burns Township Jail is a cherished local landmark and is open for public viewing every Saturday and Sunday throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons (weather permitting).

In front of the jail stands a horse and stock watering trough, carved from a single stone block in the early to mid-1800s. This remarkable artifact was donated to the local historical society by the late Robert Smith and remains on display through an agreement between the M.D. Mastin Historical Society and the Town of Burns.