Born in 1901 and growing up as a young boy in Canton, New York, Richard G. Myers became fascinated with stories of the West. His great uncle, a prospector during the gold rush of 1849, fired his imagination with the stories from his adventures.
Myers was a voracious reader, loved American and local history, but his greatest love was that of the Old West. Myers began collecting items about the history of the Old West, especially works of artist Frederic Remington (1860-1909), also a native of Canton.
Beginning in the early 1940s, Myers began to collect Remington related books and prints. As his collection grew, he corresponded with collectors, authors and museums directors all over the world.
In 1975, Myers published A Guide To Old Remington Prints and Lithographs, 1888-1914. That publication served as a guide for collectors, helping to solidify his legacy as an authority on the subject.
The St. Lawrence County Historical Association has opened its newest exhibition, “A Love of Remington: Selected Works from the Collection of Richard G. Myers,” in conjunction with the Remington Arts Festival and Art Show.
This exhibition features a selection of illustrations that appeared in newspapers and magazines, showing how Remington was experienced by the public during Myer’s lifetime. These prints were produced between 1888 and 1907. Also included in the exhibition are a number of publications authored by Remington.
Myers passed away in 1992, in Potsdam, NY. In 2007, his granddaughter Elizabeth “Betsy” Barrick donated Myers’ collection to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association. The exhibition runs through Saturday, October 30th, 2021.
The SLCHA is located at 3 E. Main Street, Canton. For more information, call the St. Lawrence County Historical Association at (315) 386-8133, or visit their website.
Photo of Frederic Remington Lithograph entitled “The Cow-Boy.”
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