Museums & Galleries

Historic treasurers are the cornerstone of the Finger Lakes family experience. From early pioneer settlements to pivotal Revolutionary War battles, a young nation started here. It followed the building of the Erie Canal moving America westward. Explore various art forms as well as the science and technology behind innovations in glass and film.

Auburn:

Harriet Tubman Home

180 South Street, Auburn, NY 13201
(315)252-2081
Home of Harriet Tubman, woman who personally led over 300 slaves to freedom in the Underground Railroad, also served as scout and spy for Union Army during Civil War. Open Feb-Oct, Tu-F 10AM-3PM. Donation requested.

Owasco Teyetasta (Iroquois Museum)

NYS Route 38A (3 mi S of Auburn), Auburn, NY 13201
(315)253-8051
Museum of Iroquois, Cayuga and Owasco cultures. Open May-Sep Th-Su Noon-4PM. Donation requested.

Corning:

The Corning Museum of Glass

One Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830
(607)937-5371 (607)973-3937(fax)
e-mail: cmg@servtech.com
Located in Corning, New York, The Museum houses the world's greatest glass collection, the library of record for the history, art, and early technology of glassmaking, and a teaching studio. The glass collection contains more than 27,000 objects representing every country and historical period in which glassmaking has been practiced. The Egyptians made the earliest objects in the collection, 3,500 years ago. Artists or manufacturers made the most recent items within the last few months. Open Daily, 9AM-5PM.

Vitrix Hot Glass Studio

77 West Market Street, Corning, NY 14830
(607)936-8707
Glassblowing artist studio, demonstrations of traditional craft of glassblowing. Open year round, M-F, 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su Noon-5PM. (Studio open weekdays until 8PM during summer tourist season). Free admission.

Elmira:

Chemung County Historical Society

415 East Water Street, Elmira, NY 14901
(607)734-4167
Contains exhibits of Mark Twain, local history, New York State Indians, Civil War POWs, and a reference library for genealogical research. Open year round, Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Handicap accessible. Donation requested.

Mark Twain Study and Mark Twain Exhibit

Elmira College Campus, Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901
(607)735-1941
Study where Mark Twain wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and other works. Exhibit contains memorabilia and photographs. Open late Jun-Aug, M-F 9AM-5PM. (Rest of year by appointment). Free admission.

National Soaring Museum

Harris Hill, Elmira, NY
55 Soaring Hill Drive, Elmira, NY 14903
(607)734-3128 (607)732-6745(fax)
E-mail: nsm@soaringmuseum.org
Website: http://www.soaringmuseum.org/
Sits atop the ridges overlooking the Chemung River Valley near Elmira, NY. The NSM holds and displays the nation's largest collection of sailplanes and other airships related to motorless flight. Interactive displays and historical interpretations are offered. Groups and tours are welcome. The Elmira area has an intense history in aviation with the National Soaring Museum, the National Warplane Museum, and the Glenn Curtiss aviation museum. Adjacent to the National Soaring museum is the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation's soaring flight center where you can purchase sailplane rides to soar silently above the beautiful farms and forests of the Finger lakes region. Both the NSM and the Harris Hill Soaring operation are not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporations. Open daily all year round, 10AM to 5PM. Visit website for more information.

Ithaca:

DeWitt Historical Society Museum

401 East State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607)273-8284
Local and regional history, photographs, etc. Open year round Tu-Sa, Noon-5PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

Cornell University Campus, Ithaca, NY 14850
(607)255-6464
Features Asian fine arts, America paintings. Also representations of art from ancient times to present from around the world. Open Jan-Dec (except during winter break mid-Dec to mid-Jan), Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Lyons:

Wayne County Historical Museum

21 Butternut Street, Lyons, NY
(315)946-4943
Sheriff's residence (circa 1854) with attached jail (in use until 1961). Open year round, M-F 9AM-Noon, 1-4PM. Free admission.

Newark:

Hoffman Clock Museum

Housed in Newark Public Library
121 High Street, Newark, NY 14513
(315)331-4370
Exhibit contains over 100 clocks and watches from around the world (majority are of American manufacture). Open year round, M-F 9:30AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Owego:

Tioga County Historical Society Museum

110 Front Street, Owego, NY 13827
(607)687-2460
Indian artifacts, local history. Records available for historical and genealogical research. Open year round, Tu-F 10AM-4PM, W 7-9PM, Sa 1-4PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Palmyra:

Alling Coverlet Museum

122 William Street, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315)597-6981
E-mail: bjfhpinc@rochester.rr.com
Collection of 19th century coverlets (largest collection in the United States). Exhibit also includes a number of hand-made quilts. Gift shop. Open June through October, seven days a week, 1 - 4.

Grandin Building

217 East Main Street, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315)597-0019
Location where first copies of Book of Mormon were printed (circa 1829-1830). Open year round, M-F 9AM-6PM. Free admission.

Hill Cumorah Visitor Center

Route 21, Palmyra, NY 14552
(315)597-5851
Location where gold tablets were delivered to Joseph Smith in 1827 by Moroni (angel). Translated into the Book of Mormon. Monument to angel Moroni, religious exhibits, films. Open year round, M-F 9AM-6PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Joseph Smith Farm and Sacred Grove

Stafford Road, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315)597-4383
Restored home of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormon Church. Contains period furnishings. Open year round, M-F 9AM-6PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Palmyra Historical Museum

132 Market Street, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315)597-6981
E-mail: bjfhpinc@rochester.rr.com
Exhibits of 19th century artifacts and furnishings. Open June through October, Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 1-4PM; all other times by appointment only. Free admission. Tours of all size welcome with advance notice.

Phelps General Store Museum

140 Market Street, Palmyra, NY 14522
(315)597-6981
Exhibits of late 19th and early 20th century items. Open June through October, Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 1-4PM; all other times by appointment. Free admission. Tours of any size are welcome with advance notice.

Penn Yan:

Oliver House Museum

200 Main Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527
(315)536-7318
Headquarters of Yates County Genealogical and Historical Society. Exhibits of local history, research room (genealogy). Open year round: Jun-Oct W-Sa 10AM-5PM, Nov-May Tu-F 10AM-5PM. Donation requested.

Rochester:

Center at High Falls

60 Browns Race, Rochester, NY
(716)325-2030
Includes hands-on exhibits of region. Open W-F 9AM-4PM, SaSu Noon-4PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

70 Lighthouse Street, Rochester, NY 14612
(716)621-6179
National Landmark. Houses Maritime Museum of the Great Lakes in lighthouse. Lighthouse building dates to 1822. Open Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Sa-Su 1-5PM (rest of year by appointment only). Donation requested.

Susan B Anthony House

17 Madison Street, Rochester, NY 14608
(585)235-6124 (585)235-6212(fax)
National Historic Landmark Site.Home of the legendary American civil rights leader during the most politically active period of her life and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872. Open Sept-May Wed-Sun 11AM -4PM, June-Aug Tues-Sun 11AM-5PM.

Seneca Falls:

Seneca Falls Historical Society

55 Cayuga Street, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
(315)568-8412 (315)568-8426(fax)
E-mail: sfhs@flare.net
Tours of 23-room Victorin mansion; research library; occasional special programs. Open year round, Mon-Fri 9-4 (tours on the hour at 9,10,11,1,2 and 3); plus Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 pm, July and August.

Sodus Point:

Sodus Point Lighthouse

7606 North Ontario Street, Sodus Point, NY 14555
(315)483-4936
Lighthouse is circa 1871 and was in operation until 1901. Museum features exhibits and research library. Open May-Oct, 10AM-5PM. Museum is handicap accessible. Donation requested.

Syracuse:

Everson Museum of Art

401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
(315)474-6064
Collection of American paintings and Asian art. Also houses the Syracuse China Center for the Study of American Ceramics. Most comprehensive collection of American ceramics in the United States, dating from Colonial times to present. Open year round, Tu-F Su Noon-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. Handicap accessible. Free admission.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum

321 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202

Exhibits feature Iroquois cultural items, local 19th century paintings and photographs. Also included are varying exhibits on decorative arts, tools, clothing and locally manufacture items. Open year round, Tu-F Noon-4PM, Sa 11AM-4PM. Free admission.

Sainte Marie among the Iroquois Living History Museum

Route 370/Onondaga Lake Parkway, P.O. Box 146, Liverpool, NY 13088
(315)453-6767 (315)453-6762(fax)
E-mail: onpark2@emi.com
Website: http://www.co.onondaga.ny.us/parksd.htm
Living History, learning and fun combine to create an unforgettable experience! Step back to the year 1657 and the hitoric meeting of the native Irouqois and the French missionaries. Visit the blacksmiths, carpenters, cooks and other missionaries who live in the recreated 17th century mission. In addition a modern Visitor Center depicts the the 17th century environment in Central New York when the Iroquois people invited the Frenchmen to visit. Gift shop and picnic areas. Open Summer - late June-Labor Day, Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12:30 5pm; Fall & Spring - Modified Living History Program Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun 12:30-5pm; During Lights on the Lake late Nov.-early Jan. Thurs.-Sun 5-10pm; Winter Jan-Mid-April - Visitor Center only.

Waterloo:

Memorial Day Museum

35 East Main Street, Waterloo, NY 13165
(315)539-9611
Exhibit of Memorial Day memorabilia, housed in mansion. (Waterloo is birthplace of Memorial Day). Open May-Labor Day M-F 1-5PM and by appt. Free admission.

Peter Whitmer Log Cabin Colonial Chapel and Visitors Center

1451 Aunkst Road, Fayette, NY
(315)539-2552
Log home, circa 1810, where Mormon Church was organized. Contains period furnishings. Also, chapel built in Colonial (1830) style. Open year round, M-F 9AM-6PM. Free admission.