The Morrisville Area (Peterboro, Morrisville, Smithfield, Eaton)

The history of Madison County runs deep with stories of human ingenuity and invention. The people of Madison County were instrumental in building the Erie Canal and the boats that traveled it. Madison County's proudest moments however, probably revolve around Gerrit Smith and the role that Peterboro played in the Underground Railroad and Abolition movements. Smith, a wealthy land baron who lived in Peterboro, financed many activities in the Abolition movement. In fact it was under Smith's influence that the 1835 initial meeting of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society was held in Peterboro. Today Smith's legacy is remembered by the National Abolition Hall of Fame and the National Parks' Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark. Both locations are featured parts of the Heritage New York Underground Railroad trail.

Just five miles from Peterboro you will find the village of Morrisville, home to one of the most innovative colleges in the State University system, Morrisville State College. Over the years Morrisville has led the way in innovation with students, becoming one of the first laptop universities in the nation and today, leading the way in equine, travel and tourism, and renewable energy studies, among others. The Morrisville State Equine Center is engaged in training the Equestrian leaders of tomorrow. You can taste the fruits of the restaurateurs of tomorrow at the Copper Turret on Main Street. This restaurant is run by Morrisville State and serves as a real life opportunity for students to hone their skills in the industry. The college has made a commitment to find solutions to the energy crisis the nation faces, and has developed a very strong renewable energy program. They power their dairy facility with a methane digester and wind turbine and continue to search for ways to make energy more affordable for farmers and the general public.