The Shushan Covered Bridge Museum, located in the hamlet of Shushan, NY is housed in an old covered bridge built in 1858 by the Stevens Bros. The bridge is of Town LatticeTruss construction, 161 feet long. The Town Lattice truss design was one of about 20 wooden bridge truss types developed during the 19th Century. Patented January 1, 1820 by Ithiel Town, an architect from Bridgeport, Connecticut, it was extensively promoted by him throughout the south. By 1840 it had become one of a few standard types chosen by local builders because of its ease of construction. The bridge was abandoned by the county as a bridge in 1962 and sat in disrepair for over ten years until it was saved by the Shushan Covered Bridge Association, Inc which converted it into a museum. A collection of period machinery and farm implements, many in working order, are used by visitors for hands on demonstrations.

A few yards from the bridge entrance stands a one room school house that was in continuous use as a school house from 1852 to 1943. The school is open to visitors and is furnished with desks and texts from the 19th Century




The museum is staffed by all volunteer help and is open 1 - 3 P.M. on the following days:
Memorial Day to July 4th -Weekends
July 4th to Labor Day, Sept 3rd -Daily, Except Monday and Tuesday. Hours 1-3pm.
Open by special appointment any day.(Tel 518-677-8251)

May (to be announced), Sunday. Plow DayPlowing and planting demonstrations with horses and oxen. Dobbin Hill Farm, 20 Dobbin Hill Rd., Shushan. 10:00am to 2:00pm.tel 518-677-8251.

August (To be announced)Harvest Days is sponsored by the museum from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Machinery belonging to the museum, but to big to be on display, is taken out of storage and put to work. Demonstrations of threshing, plowing, flailing, harvesting and reaping are held throught the day. Harvest Days is an annual event.
The Rich Farm is located on Dobbin Hill Rd., 1 mile south from the bridge. Call 518-677-8251.