New York Museums

Preserving and displaying Irish heritage in America. 

2267 Route 145

East Durham, NY 12423

Van Cortlandt House

Known as the Frederick Van Cortlandt House, it is the oldest building in The Bronx.  Built in the Georgian style in 1748, the house was occupied by Van Cortlandts for 140 years.  During the Revolutionary War, its walls saw Washington, Rochambeau and Lafayette.  The house has been operated as a historic house museum since 1897.Located in Van Cortlandt Park at Broadway & W. 246th Street in Bronx, NY.

Cayuga Museum of History & Art   [Willard Case Mansion]

Housed in the 1836 Willard-Case mansion, the museum is focused on the history of Cayuga County.  Exhibits include the Case Research Lab where Theodore Case invented the first successful film with sound (talkies).  Located at 203 Genessee Street in Auburn, NY.

The History House

Operated by the Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society, the museum offers artifacts and documents related to the history of Moravia, NY.  They offer the genealogy researcher many materials and documents that will be of help in the Luther Research Center and Archives .  Located in the History House at 14 W. Cayuga Street in Moravia, NY.

Housed inside the 1863 Fenton Mansion, the museum offers documents, photographs, artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Jamestown and Chautauqua County, NY.  The mansion was home to NY Governor Reuben E. Fenton and has been beautifully preserved.  A genealogy library is located in the mansion which is located at 67 Washington Street in Jamestown, NY.

Features vintage airplanes, war planes and even offers vintage airplane rides.  Located at 17 Aviation Drive in Horseheads, NY.

Power your imagination at Hanford Mills Museum. Located in the Catskills, just 30 minutes from Cooperstown, Hanford Mills Museum lets visitors discover how renewable resources powered the Mill's success for over a century.

Hanford Mills generated the power for East Meredith's first electric lights in 1898. Come see history in a new light at Hanford Mills. Connect with generations of people who made their living at the Mill and experience 1920s domestic life in the Hanford Farmhouse. See how steam and water power are harnessed to bring the sawmill, the grist mill and woodworking machines back to whirring, spinning life. Gift shop and picnic area.  Located at the intersection of Delaware County Routes 10 and 12, in East Meredith, NY.

Amherst Museum   [History]  [Grounds Tour]

Explore 35 acres of historic homes, churches, one-room schoolhouses and other structures on the Erie Canal in Amherst, NY.  Located at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road.

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Museum

[Research Library]

Housed inside the historical 1901 Pan-American Building, the focus of the museum is on the history of Western New York through preservation of historical artifacts, interpretation and educating visitors about the past heritage of Western New York.  Collections include Iroquois artifacts, Erie Canal exhibits, artifacts from the War of 1812, paintings and household items from the past.  Located at 25 Nottingham Court in Buffalo, NY.

Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum

Housed inside the Gladys ScheideMantel house, the museum features the Roycroft collection of furniture, copper and other related items along with historical manuscripts and books.  Located at 363 Oakwood Avenue in East Aurora, NY.

Crown Point State Historical Site

Visit the ruins of 18th century Crown Point structures built by both the British and French who struggled for a claim here.  Located across the road from the Lake Champlain Visitors Center at the Lake Champlain Bridge.

Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark   [History]

Step into yesteryear at this historic fort.  Costumed interpreters, daily musket demonstrations and tours bring history alive.  During special events, you can witness reenatcments.  Learn more about the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War time period in American history.  Located off Route 74 in Ticonderoga, NY.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex

John Brown Farm State Historic Site

This historic site was once home to John Brown, the famed abolitionist.  His gravesite is located on the site. Located in the Adirondack Mountains at 115 John Brown Road, in Lake Placid, NY.

Franklin County Historical & Museum Society

The "House of History" was built ca 1863-1864 and features rooms with period furnishings, collections of historical artifacts and a research library for family history research.  Located at 51 Milwaukee Street in Malone, NY.

Holland Land Office Museum 

[History]  [Exhibits]

The 1815 Holland Land Office building still stands today as a reminder to the past and the beginnings of Batavia, a Dutch community.  Today it houses a museum featuring the history and exhibits related to the early history of this are of New York.  Located at 131 W. Main Street in Batavia, NY.

The Jello Museum  [History of Jello]

Devoted to all things related to the history of Jell-O.  Located at 23 E. Main Street in Le Roy, NY.

Durham Center Museum - many genealogy records!

The Adirondack Museum   [50 Years of History]

Celebrating 50 years of preservation of the historical artifacts and documents of the Adirondacks, the museum is surrounded by 6 million acres of lakes, forests, towns and villages which are all part of Adirondack Park.  The museum features historic buildings, beautiful gardens, historic exhibits and even a research library.  Located just north of Blue Mountain Lake, NY on Routes 28N and 30.

[Early History]  [Goodsell History]

Operated by the Town of Webb Historical Association, the museum is located in Old Forge, NY.  A research facility is now available for researchers.

Webb Historic Summer Trolley Tours

Tour guides relay the history of the area as you are taken to historic sites in Webb and Old Forge, NY.  Contact for dates and times.

Brooklyn Historical Society and Museum  

[Brief History of Brooklyn and the Society]

Devoted to the 400 year history of Brooklyn, NY.  The society features a museum of historical exhibits, photographs, artwork, and educational center and a research library and archives.  Located at 128 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn, NY.

Fort Greene Park Conservancy

Once the site of a Revolutionary War fort, the park features a monument to Revolutionary War prisoners who were held by the British in Wallabout Bay on prison ships.  The park is named for Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene.  Located at 85 S. Oxford Street in Brooklyn, NY.

Big Springs Museum at Caledonia

[Genealogy Collections]

Focused on the history of the Caledonia area.  Located at 3095 Main Street in Caledonia, NY.

American Maple Museum

A yummy sounding museum dedicated to preserving the history and art of making North American maple syrup.  Inside the old Leo Memorial School, you will find historic tools and equipment used to make maple sugar and syrup from early time to present day.  Located at 9753 State Route 812, in Croghan, NY.

Constable Hall

This beautiful Georgian mansion was built in 1819 of native limestone by William Constable Jr.  Furnished in an outstanding elegance and luxury of the time, the home features may of the original furnishings today. It was at Constable hall in 1822 that Clement Clark Moore, a first cousin of William Constable, Jr.'s widow, wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which is popularly known today as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." It remained in the hands of the Constable family until 1947 when the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lewis and Mrs. H.D. Cornwall, all of Beaver Falls, bought the estate and restored the house and the lovely formal garden. They then presented the property to the Constable Hall Association, which today administers the property. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and appears in many guidebooks, including American Heritage Historic Houses in America.

Mennonite Heritage Farm  [History]

This farmstead was called home by three generations of the Moser family from Alsace-Lorraine.  Today the farm is a living history museum where one can step back in time to a simpler life.  Tours are offered and one can purchase Mennonite quilts and antiques.  Call ahead for hours and special living history festivals.  315-346-1122, 315-376-7643.

Located on the Erie Canal Road in Kirschnerville just east of Croghan, NY.

RHSNNY - Old Train Depot and Museum

[Photo Gallery]   [History]

Housed in the old Croghan train station, the museum  holds memorabilia and historical artifacts of the "olden days" in Croghan, NY.

Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse

[Lighthouse History]

The lighthouse was built in 1822 and the lighthouse keeper's house located on the grounds was built in 1863.  The Lighthouse Keeper's House features exhibits and visitors are allowed to climb the 40 foot tower and view the Genesse River and Lake Ontario.  Tours are given seasonally on weekends.  Special group tours are available by special request.  Located at 70 Lighthouse Street in the Charlotte Community of Rochester, NY.

Fairport Historical Society and Museum 

Ganondagan State Historic Site 

[Haudenosaunee History]

Ganondagan was a Native American community of Seneca people located in what is known today as the town of Victor.  Learn about the Senecas as you walk this replica of the "Town of Peace" which was once located here.

George Eastman House  [Exhibitions]

The 100 year old mansion features 51 rooms and was home to Eastman Kodak's founder George Eastman.  Located at 900 East Avenue in Rochester, NY.

Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum  [Granger Family]

The Greece Historical Society Museum

Devoted to the collection and preservation of historical artifacts and items related to the history of the town of Greece.  Exhibits include the town's first fire wagon, Native American displays, an 1870s house and more.  Located at 595 Long Pond Rd. in Greece, NY.

Susan B. Anthony House

Fort Klock

Little Red School House of Mohawk

Historic Roslyn  

[Roslyn History Timeline]  [Historic homes and buildings]

The village of Roslyn which got it's early beginnings as Hempstead Harbor on Long Island in what is known today as Nassau County.  Historical buildings have been preserved and restored.  Visitors will enjoy over 80 historical structures in a one square mile area of the Village.  The Van Nostrand-Starkins House is operated by the Roslyn Landmark Society as a museum where one can learn more about the early history of the area.  The house itself contains period furnishings and is located at 221 Main Street.

Sands-Willets House

This Long Island farmhouse was erected ca 1735 and features 11 furnished rooms, a museum and educational center.  Occupied by the Sands family an later by the Willets family, a prominent Quaker family, this home has seen a lot of history.  Located at 336 Port Washington Blvd. in Port Washington, NY.

Thomas Dodge House

Known as the oldest surviving house in the Port Washington area, the Thomas Dodge house was build ca 1721 and has been home to 7 generations of the Dodge family.  The house which has changed very little over the years, is being restored along with the grounds which include a garden, barn, chicken coop, and vintage outhouse.  Currently open by appointment only, it is located at 58 Harbor Road in Port Washington, NY.

Originally built in 1835, St. Paul's Episcopal Church is the home to the Lewiston Museum.  Exhibits include the War of 1812, Freedom Crossing Underground Railroad, the 1720 French Settlement in Lewiston which was the beginning of Great Lakes commerce.  The museum has undergone extensive renovations and is open to visitors.  Located at 469 Plain Street in Lewiston, NY.

Niagara Falls State Park

Ground Zero Museum Workshop 

[Photo Gallery]  [Ground Zero Webcam]

Tours must be booked in advance for this 1.5 hour tour which features Gary Marlon Suson's 9-11 recovery photos, artifacts and a glimpse into what happened and what occurred in the aftermath of the 9-11 attack.  The museum is located about 8 minutes from Ground Zero.  Tickets may be purchased from Zerve at 212-209-3370.

Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden

[Virtual Tour]

One of the few remaining 18th-century buildings in New York City, it was constructed in 1799 as a carriage house and converted into a hotel in 1826.  Through guided tours, visitors are transported back to the Mount Vernon Hotel, a 19th-century country resort for New Yorkers escaping the crowded city below 14th Street.  The hotel is one of the seventh oldest buildings in Manhattan.  Located at 421 East 61st Street in New York City, NY.

New York Historical Society Museum  [Research Library]

New York City Police Museum 

Great history of the New York City Police Department.  Includes a lot of historical photos and information online.  Located at 100 Old Slip in New York City, NY.

Ukrainian Institute of America

Erie Canal Museum   [Exhibits and Photos]

Matilda Joslyn Gage Home

This historical home was home to Matilda Joslyn Gage, daughter of well-known abolitionist Dr. Hezekiah Joslyn.  The home was once a station for the Underground Railway. Matilda Joslyn Gage became involved in the woman's suffrage movement and she gave much of her life to the struggle for the complete liberation of women in the United States.  Her home is today a museum with each room dedicated to a different theme.  There is a Women's Rights room, the Underground Railroad Room, the Haudenosaunee Room, a room dedicated to Religious Freedom, a Local History Room, a research library and gift shop.  Located at 210 East Genesee Street in Fayetteville, NY.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum

Constructed in 1816, this 19th century Federal-style house has beautiful carved wood moldings, period furnishings and original antiques which were owned by the 4 generations of the Granger family who occupied the home.  In addition, lovely vintage carriage rides are offered.  Rentals are available for weddings and special events.  Located at 295 N. Main Street in Canandiagua, NY.

Valentown Museum and Icabod Town Homestead

Operated by the Victor Historical Society, the museum is housed in the 1879 Valentown Hall.  The Hall was rescued from destruction by Sheldon Fisher in 1940 and has been restored and filled with antiques, artifacts and heirlooms of early settlers of the Victor, New York area.  Today, visitors will find a general store, meeting room, bakery, harness shop, cobbler's shop, music school, and display cases filled with a variety of items related to the history of Victor, NY.  Located at 7370 Valentown Square in Victor, NY.

Minisink Museum and Heritage Commission  [History]

Focus is on the history of the town of Minisink.  Located at 20 Roy Smith Drive in Westtown, NY.

Cherry Valley Museum

Devoted to the history of Cherry Valley and featuring exhibits related to the Cherry Valley Massacre, the museum is located at 49 Main Street in the Village of Cherry Valley, NY.

The Farmers Museum at Cooperstown

Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard   [History]

Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum

Hyde Hall   [History]

Visitors will take a step back in time inside this beautiful 50 room house which was built nearly 200 years ago.  Originally the country home to George Clarke, the home is being restored and is available for tours and rentals.  Located on Hyde Hall's Drive in Cooperstown, NY.

National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum   [History of Baseball]

National Soccer Hall of Fame & Museum 

New York State CCC Museum   [CCC Old Photos]

Located at Gilbert Lake State Park  [History]

The Yager Museum of Art and Culture

The museum features a variety of exhibits including galleries of art, history, Susquehanna archaeology, American Indian collections and several rotating exhibits.  Located at One Hartwick Drive on the campus of Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Located in Ridgewood, NY, the house is the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house standing in New York City.  The house serves a museum housing exhibits related to the history, arts and culture of the house and surrounding area as well as the archaeology of the Onderdonk site.  Guided tours are offered at special times of the year and the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society maintains a history and genealogy research library.  The house is located at 1820 Flushing Avenue in Ridgewood, NY.

Brookside Museum 

Grant Cottage State Historic Site

Located in the Adirondacks, this cottage was where General Ulysses S. Grant died of throat cancer on July 23, 1885.  Today the cottage and furnishings remain much the same as it was during the Grant family's stay.  Guests may tour the cottage.  Located in Wilton, NY.

Built in 1931 by Martin Maurer (a duck farmer), the duck is a unique piece of architecture.  The Big Duck is open to the public as an information center and gift shop.  Located on Flanders Road in Flanders, NY.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Northport Historical Soc. and Museum  [Timeline & Photos]

Suffolk County Police Museum

Operated by the Suffolk County Police Historical Society, the museum features a 1925 Station House display and offers the history of law enforcement in Suffolk County, NY.  Located at 30 Yaphank Avenue in Yaphank, NY.

Roscoe O & W Railway Museum 

Learn about the history of the O & W Railroad and how it fostered the growth of the Roscoe area.  Located at 7 Railroad Avenue in Roscoe, NY.

Featuring 7 historical stone houses dating back to the early 1700s, a burial ground and a stone church, the museum is focused on the French Huguenot refugees who settled here and created this community.  Located at 18 Broadhead Avenue in New Paltz, NY.

Housed in a renovated 1890 Catholic Church, the museum offers a large collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to the history of Bolton and Warren County, NY.  Located at 4924 Main Street, Bolton Landing, NY.

North Creek Depot Museum

The North Creek Depot Museum is a Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site and one of ten such sites along the Theodore Roosevelt Heritage Trail. The facility has been painstakingly restored to its original condition in every way possible. Located at 5 Railroad Place, North Creek NY 12853. Seasonal hours.

Square House Museum

The house, once known as Stage House was originally owned by yeoman farmer Jacob Pierce. Built between 1675 and 1683, the house has known 21 owners in total and was at one time operated as an inn and tavern. Today, the house has been restored and turned into a museum with exhibits related to the history of Rye. Self guided tours daily and docent guided tours are available on request.  Call 914.967.7588. Located at 1 Purchase Street in Rye, NY.

Timothy Knapp House - Library & Archives.

[Research Requests]

Timothy Knapp (prominent member of the Rye community) built the oldest part of this house between 1667 and 1680.  The Knapp family occupied the house until 1746 at which time the Halsted family bought the home and made additions, occupying the home for over 150 years. In 1906 the home was purchased by Simeon Ford and remained in the Ford family until 1992 when it was purchased by the Rye Historical Society and restored. Now home to the Rye Historical Society, visitors can take a step back into the history of Rye.  A research library containing historical documents is located in the archives at Knapp House.  Located at 265 Rye Beach Avenue and Milton Road in Rye, NY.

Often heralded as "The Grand Canyon of the East", the park features 3 beautiful waterfalls created by the Genesee River as it roars over 600 foot cliffs.  The historic Glen Iris Inn has been restored and is available for overnight stays and meals while Wolcott Farms offers horseback riding, carriage and sleigh rides.  Located in Castile, NY at Exit 7 on Interstate 390.

The museum is devoted to sharing hisotry of the area along with the history of L. Caroline Underwood, teacher.  A research room is located inside the museum at 107 Chapel Street in Penn Yan, NY.

Oliver House Museum

The home built in 1852 by Dr. Andrew Oliver, is an 18 room mansion in the Italianate style.  Serving as a mueusm, the house features period furnishings along with collections of the historical society.  200 Main Street, Penn Yan, NY.

Ellis Island National Monument

Statue of Liberty National Monument

Museum Index for Other States

New York Census Records