The Thousand Islands Decoy Collectors Association (TIDCA) was organized in summer 1992, largely through the efforts of Larry Lunman and Bob Rayfield, to bring together individuals who share a common interest in the history of decoy carving and waterfowl hunting along the St. Lawrence River. In addition to the Clayton Decoy Show held each year in July, TIDCA members have met once or twice a year to attend decoy presentations, share information, and participate in displays and contests. Vintage decoy contests have been a feature of most meetings, with the intent of encouraging members to bring choice examples from their personal collections to be studied and enjoyed by all.
In spring 2009, TIDCA was reorganized under the mantle of the TI museum, and individuals who wished to become or remain members of TIDCA could do so by joining the museum. The goals of the association have remained the same, and are focused on discovering and sharing information on the decoys and decoy carvers of the Thousand Islands area. In recent years, two events have been held annually, both open to the public. The first event is a meeting held the first Saturday of March, the second is a display presented at the Clayton Decoy Show.
Teaser Presentations (if you’d like to see more, please come to the museum or join TIDCA)
Conklin short version.pdf
Coombs short version.pdf
Lesser Known 3-5-11 short version.pdf
Lesser Known 3-6-10 short version.pdf
If you are a member of the Museum, you can have access to all of the presentations by clicking here. If you are not a member, presentations can be viewed by visiting the museum.
TIDCA – March meetings:
- 2001: Chauncey Wheeler, Alexandria Bay, NY (handout available)
- 2002 and 2004: Sam Denny, Clayton, NY (handout available)
- 2005: Ken Harris Woodville, NY
- 2006: Stevens brothers, Weedsport, NY
- 2007: Roy Conklin, Alexandria Bay, NY (slide presentation available)
- 2008: Frank Coombs, Alexandria Bay, NY (slide presentation available)
- 2010: Lesser Known Carvers of the Thousand Islands – Part 1 (slide presentation available)
- George Oliver, Watertown
- 2011: Lesser Known Carvers of the Thousand Islands – Part 2 (slide presentation available)
- an update of the five carvers or families presented in 2010
- 2012: (slide presentation available)
- hunting Decoys of Upstate New York
- Frank Clark, Clayton
- Lawrence Jones, Alexandria Bay
- William Burtch, Alexandria Bay
- Dingman family, Alexandria Bay
- Francis “Roy” Stanley, Cape Vincent
- Ray Rogers Alexandria Bay
- Clair Snyder, Alexandria Bay
- lesser known carvers part 3
- – William Barlow, Clayton
- – Two Unknown Carvers from the 1000 Islands Area
Also available:
- Decoys and Decoy Collecting – An Introduction (slide presentation available).
Future write-ups about various St. Lawrence River carvers are planned, and will be added to the list of available handouts and presentations when available.
TIDCA – Clayton Decoy Show displays
- 2001: broadbill decoys from the Thousand Islands
- 2002: canvasback decoys from the Thousand Islands
- 2003: redhead decoys from the Thousand Islands
- 2004: goldeneye decoys from the Thousand Islands
- 2005: decoys by Chauncey Wheeler, Alexandria Bay
- 2006: decoys by Sam Denny, Clayton
- 2007: decoys, carvings, and paintings by Leo McIntosh, Woodville and Adams Center
- 2008: decoys by the Stevens brothers, Weedsport
- 2009: decoys by the Nichol family, Smiths Falls, Ontario
- 2010: decoys by William Hollis, Ogdensburg
- 2011: decoys by William Veasey, Newark, DE
- 2012: scheduled display – cork hunting decoys by Ken Harris, Woodville, NY
