About Us

Locally

There is only one Gouverneur in all of the United States. The community was founded in 1805, named after American statesman Gouverneur Morris. Among his honor, Morris, Founding Father of the United States, penned the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. His historical home still stands today, over 200 years old.

Gouverneur has a plentiful source of white dolomite marble which has been quarried and used in a variety of ways since the town's founding. This mineral-rich region is the home of one of the world's oldest and largest talc producers, Gouverneur Talc Company. The Zinc Corporation of America mine is one of the largest zinc production facilities in the U.S. Additionally, Gouverneur hosts CIVES Steel and Iron Works, Dunn Paper, and is the birthplace and headquarters of Kinney Drugs, Inc. Kinney Drugs owns and operates approximately sixty retail drug stores in northern and central New York and Vermont.

Town of Gouverneur
Gouverneur Morris posing in chair with a wooden leg and cane.
the Fort Drum entrance sign

Surrounding Area

Fort Drum, home of the acclaimed 10th Mountain Infantry Division, is located twenty minutes south. Within 40 miles are the academic communities of St. Lawrence University SUNY Canton SUNY Potsdam Jefferson Community College Clarkson University.
Gouverneur lies amongst the Adirondack Mountains, host of the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. Along with our beautiful scenery, we like to think we have a beautiful community.

Our District

The Gouverneur Central School District covers about 221 square miles. The district encompasses a rural population of approximately 11,000 in southern St. Lawrence County. This district has an approximate enrollment of 1460 students. Students come from the village and town of Gouverneur plus peripheral rural communities.
the front of Gouverneur elementary school
elementary students in matching orange t-shirts sitting on logs
students during end-of-year fun day

Mission

Gouverneur Central School District, in collaboration with the community, is dedicated to educating all individuals, in a safe environment, to be passionate learners and responsible citizens in a global society.

Vision

Delivering the promise of a brighter future for Our Students and Community.
the front of Gouverneur elementary school