“THE RAFFLE” is a painting by George Henry Taggart of

Patrick Burns, Michael Burns, and John Burns, who were three

of the children of Thomas Burns and Mary Flynn Burns, that

is now owned by the Jefferson County Historical Society. It

has been an iconic symbol of the many descendants of Thomas

Burns and Mary Flynn Burns. It was painted in Watertown,

 

New York, in 1893, and was later reproduced and distribut-

ed nationwide as a calendar by the Osborne Company. This

 

endowment was created to ensure that the painting will always

remain on display in Jefferson County, New York, for the

enjoyment of all, and to provide a unique way to support the

ongoing operations of the Jefferson County Historical Society.

The Jefferson County Historical Society, in consideration of

this endowment, has agreed to not sell “THE RAFFLE” and to

be certain it remains on public display. The Roswell P. Flower

Memorial Library and the Northern New York Community

Foundation have agreed to serve as alternate sites for display

of “THE RAFFLE” should the Jefferson County Historical

Society wish to rotate it out of exhibition. Our goal is to raise

a large endowment that will forever protect “THE RAFFLE” and its owner. We are seeking donations from Burns family members and others who

would like to support the Jefferson County Historical Society as well as preserve the history of the Burns and Taggart families in Jefferson County,

New York. An exhibition of “THE RAFFLE” and other Taggart paintings of the Burns brothers is planned for August 2019 through October 2019.

 

If you would like to support the Burns Family Endowment to Honor and Protect “THE RAFFLE,” which benefits the

Jefferson County Historical Society, please fill out this form.

 

More paintings of the Burns family

Online Store

5.5ft x 4ft Throw Blanket

Notecards (Pack of 8)

6.125" x 3.5"

More items available at the museum