Norfolk, in New York State, offers a range of themes for a stay: a library with distinctive architectural history, a historic cemetery, and forest areas with trails, wetland habitats and outdoor activities. When choosing a place to stay, you can first decide which focus you would like to give more attention to. Local history and nature offer different perspectives on Norfolk and help make your travel interests more concrete.

Architecture and Local History

The Hepburn Library of Norfolk is located at 1 Hepburn Street in Norfolk, New York. Alonzo Barton Hepburn gifted the library to the Town of Norfolk. He was a philanthropist born in the region and a banker from Colton, New York. The library building is made of brick and designed in the Georgian Revival style. Its T-shaped floor plan and cross-gabled roof are among its distinctive architectural features. It was designed by Rossiter & Muller; construction took place from 1919 to 1920, and the official opening was in November 1921. The library serves the Town of Norfolk with materials in various formats for people of all ages.

Another historic landmark is Hale Cemetery, a site listed as a New York State Historic Landmark. The cemetery in Norfolk is the final resting place of distinguished veterans and historical figures. Colonel Ira Hale founded it in 1836. Its architectural features include a handmade arch of fieldstone. Local history therefore encompasses both the development of a public institution and the story of a historic cemetery.

Forest Areas and Wetlands

The Bombay and Brasher State Forests comprise a 22,242-acre reforestation complex with an extensive network of trails and roads. They extend across the Towns of Brasher and Norfolk in St. Lawrence County, as well as the Towns of Bombay and Moira in Franklin County. The trails are marked with signs indicating permitted activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. When planning an activity, you can use the information on the signs for each trail as a guide.

The landscapes of the Bombay and Brasher State Forests include ponds, swamps, hardwood swamps and other wetlands. More than 4,500 acres of wetlands provide important habitat for birds, fish, amphibians and protected plants. The forest areas thus combine marked recreational opportunities with a diverse wetland landscape.

Raymondville State Forest extends across the Towns of Stockholm and Norfolk. Large, mostly undeveloped areas are suitable for hunting, hiking and observing nature. The terrain is very flat and includes extensive wetlands. These features offer a different focus from the network of trails and roads in the Bombay and Brasher State Forests: Raymondville is characterized by its wide, lightly developed areas and flat wetland terrain.

The St. Regis River and the Deer River also offer opportunities for fishing for brook and rainbow trout. River fishing and forest areas thus complement the historical themes with other interests to consider when planning a trip. The natural attractions mentioned differ in their specific activities, landscapes and signage; the signs along each trail list permitted uses.

Considering Norfolk as an Overnight Destination

If you have specific activities in mind, you can take into account the permitted uses posted in the Bombay and Brasher State Forests. If you are interested in landscape, Raymondville's extensive wetlands and flat terrain offer a different focus. This helps you choose a destination with a clear idea of which themes you would like to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Gouverneur, Ogdensburg, Brasher Falls-Winthrop, Massena, Potsdam

Return to the main travel overview: St. Lawrence.