SWEET ...

Lewis County boasts the highest production of maple syrup in New York! Maple sugaring is difficult, time-consuming work, but the natural flavor of maple treats is certainly worth the effort. To learn about maple sugaring, visit the American Maple Museum in Croghan or attend the Maple Sugaring Tour in March.

There are three floors of displays in the American Maple Museum. You can find a replica of asugarhouse, an equipment room, early syrup making techniques and equipment, maple syrup containers, sugar molds, logging tools, and a replica of a lumber camp kitchen and office. You will also find the North American Maple Hall of Fame on the first floor of the museum.

The museum offers a gift shop with maple products as well as other souvenirs. They are open from Memorial Day to early September. On the Saturday and Sunday before Easter, the Maple Producers Association holds a tour of local maple producer facilities. This tour is a great opportunity to see some of the different techniques in use today.

Additionally, on weekends, when the steam is rising from the sugarhouses, visitors are welcome to stop by - most maple producers will gladly take time to show how they make maple syrup and offer some sweet samples.

These delectable treats are packaged in many sizes and varieties of container. They can be bought in most retail stores in Lewis County

A History Note: In 1821, with a Lewis County population of about 10,000, more then two thousand pounds of sugar were produced in the spring.

Learn more at Lewis County Maple Producers Association (www.lcmpa.org)