Things To Do—Museums and History

Canal Cottage Museum: Located on State Route 20, Bouckville, on the summit of the historic 175-year old Chenango Canal in Bouckville has a 7-mile walking trail between Hamilton and Bouckville on the original towpath that was used by mule-drivers (hoggees). The canal is fed by its original reservoirs, built in 1834-1836. The Canal Cottage Museum, originally a barbershop in 1916, features reprints and descriptions of historic local pictures from the late 1800’s - mid-1900’s. It is open 10 am - 5 pm, May - October for a self-tour and is located on Scenic Byway State Route 20 and Canal Road in Bouckville. Contact 315-893-7910 or towpath@twcny.rr.com for a guided historic tour. Entrances to the Towpath Trail can be found under "Things to Do" and "Trails".

Housed in one of the many buildings that still exist in Canastota from the original Erie Canal era. The museum is filled with authentic memorabilia as well as exhibits of historical local business. First floor access to handicapped visitors. Open May through October and by appointment.

The rooms of the former Canastota Savings & Loan Building have been transformed into six rooms of walk-through exhibits with a home style atmosphere. With a guided tour, the parlor, one room school, kitchen and bedroom will take seniors back into yesteryear. The wide variety of dolls are wonderfully displayed and are in great condition! Your friendly and gracious hosts invite you to bring your camera, husband and doll. Bus tours welcomed. (There is a fee for the museum.)

The International Boxing Hall of Fame chronicles over a century of boxing history, including Canastota’s own Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus. Boxing fans can meet boxing legends at the annual induction celebration in early June. Browse the large selection of memorabilia for sale in the gift shop. Credit cards are accepted and the hall is handicapped accessible. Open year round.

Established in 1807 as the neoclassical home of John Lincklaen, founder of Cazenovia, Lorenzo was occupied continuously by the Lincklaen/Ledyard family until the property was conveyed to New York in 1968. Operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, public admission, specialty and group tours, educational programs, public lectures, seasonal exhibits, private accommodations and a myriad of special events are offered; Rippleton Schoolhouse and research archives also available. For more information about admission fees, hours, programs, etc., please call.

This museum covers over two thousand years of history. Here you can see: (1) an ancient Egyptian mummy (2) early Native American tools (3) extinct and rare birds (4) 18th, 19th, & 20th century artifacts including locally-made implements (5) fine Native American beadwork (6) old and rare books, maps, and paintings depicting the area. The museum is open 9:00 am-9:00 pm Monday through Friday; 10:00 am-5:00 pm Saturdays; closed Sundays. No admission charge.

The Welsh Church was built in 1876. The original facilities, including pump organ, carpeting, and outhouse have never been modernized. Sunday services June-August.

Over 1,000 items to see showcasing L. Frank Baum: from his early years in Chittenango to Ozcot, the home he lived with his wife Maud until his death in 1919; his vast body of work, the MGM movie, the work others have done regarding Oz, and much more. For the $2 entrance fee to see the collection, we know you’ll leave with a greater knowledge and respect for L. Frank Baum, Chittenango’s hometown treasure. We also offer guided tours to school groups and any and all organizations.

The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is located within the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 96-foot long cargo boats were built and repaired on this site. The National Parks award winning museum tells of the construction of these boats, the workings of the restored dry docks and the social history of the canal area. The museum is open May-October and by appointment.

Our collection features hometown author L. Frank Baum’s "Wizard of Oz" and is located in the public eye. Items on display include L. Frank Baum books, memorabilia from the "Wizard of Oz" movie (1939), large collection of OZ plates, movie photos and posters, and much more!

The Museum is a showplace for the display of various items, and the presentation of programs relating to the history of the Earlville area. The Quincy Square Association has also sponsored various house tours, thus giving the community an additional view of its history.

The Madison County Architecture and Preservation Trail identifies buildings selected at each of Madison County’s sixteen Townships that best represent their social, economic and cultural history. In addition to reflecting the composition of early settlers of the County and the unique style of architecture typical of the times, this Trail features buildings associated with individuals who participated in the abolitionist movement, the building of the Erie Canal and another movement in our country’s history, the formation of Utopian societies. Click on the above link to download this tour.

The passport takes you on a journey to cultural and historically significant attractions around Madison County. Download yours today by clicking the link. Visit eight of the 12 attractions and enter to win an I-Pad.

The Madison County Freedom Trail marks county wide sites of the Underground Railroad that have been identified and researched by the Madison County Freedom Trail Commission. This Commission was created in 2001 by the County Board of Supervisors to assure that steps be taken to identify and preserve the historic resources of the County related to the Underground Railroad and the struggle to end slavery in the United States. The Madison County Freedom Trail recognizes former Madison County residents who provided significant local community leadership in the struggle to end slavery in the United States. This Trail provides a missing link to the Heritage New York Trail, the statewide Underground Railroad Trail, and the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, the National Underground Railroad Trail. Click on the link above to download this tour. Also visit http://www.madisoncounty.org/Plan/HeritageTrail/FreedomTrailforweb.pdf to download the map.

The Madison County Hop Heritage Trail marks hop kilns and other related hop sites still in existence that document the agricultural impact of commercial hop production in the agricultural history of Madison County and New York State. Hops were grown in a seven county area of which Madison, Oneida and Otsego County were the highest producers. Click on the above link to download the tour.

The Madison County History Trail marks the locations of twenty historical organizations in the County that highlight the history of each Township. These diverse cultural institutions contain special exhibits featuring photographs, area artifacts, period clothing, furniture, memorabilia and genealogical material which tell the story of the life of Madison County’s earlier generations. Click on the link above to download the tour.

This Greek Revival structure served as the county’s courthouse until 1907. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it is currently under restoration. The year-round Madison Hall Concert Series is held in the beautiful upstairs performance hall. Partially accessible to handicapped visitors. Tours by appointment.

Unique collection of over 60 North American and African Big Game mammals. African art, ivory, and tribal objects. Soapstone carvings from North American Eskimos. Open during the academic year.

Built in 1849 this picturesque Gothic Revival house, built by the prolific 19th century architect, Alexander Jackson Davis, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Period furnishings,genealogical library, annual craft fair, hops fest, and Victorian Christmas open house.

Constructed between 1861 and 1914, the 93,000 square foot Mansion House was home to the 19th century utopian Oneida Community (1848-1880). When the Community disbanded it formed a joint stock corporation that went on to become Oneida, Ltd., achieving world-wide recognition for the tableware it produced in Sherrill, NY. Today, this National Historic Landmark includes a museum with changing and permanent exhibitions, residential apartments, overnight lodging, and meeting and banquet space. Self- and guided-tours available. Wheelchair accessible.

Home of abolitionist and philanthropist Gerrit Smith. Displays on the Underground Railroad and life in Peterboro for fugitives from slavery. Visitor Center open weekends 1-5 pm, mid-May through September. Summer series of historic programs. See website for program listing and more. Located within the Visitor Center is the Peterboro Mercantile. A volunteer operated community heritage gift shop. All profits are used for the support of heritage sites in Peterboro. Visit our on-line store at mercantile.gerritsmith.org

The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum honors 19th C. abolitionists, their works and legacies, and strives to complete the abolition of racism. Inductions are held in October of each year. Inductee banners and abolition displays are open June – September, Sat and Sun afternoons, and by appointment.

The Smithfield Community Center was built in 1820 as the Peterboro Presbyterian Church. In 1835, the first meeting of the New York Anti-Slavery Society was held here. It later served as the Evans Academy, the Peterboro Union School, and the Peterboro elementary school. Today the building houses the Town of Smithfield municipal offices and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum on the second floor. The site was placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places in 1994. In 2004 this site was designated as part of the Heritage New York State Underground Railroad Trail. The community room and kitchen may be rented for private events.

Located in the former school house of the Home for Destitute Children of Madison County. Memorabilia about Peterboro and the Smith family’s colorful history related to abolition, the Underground Railroad, women’s rights, soccer, and Holstein-Friesian cows. Open Sundays 2pm-4pm, May through September or by appointment. Handicapped accessible.

In celebration of Madison County’s historical wealth, MadisonCountyNYHistory.com was developed utilizing local archives and records with the primary goals of promoting our history and county, resulting in civic engagement. The website is useful for researchers—young or old, student or professor, amateur or professional. We encourage teachers to use our primary source documents and hope all visit often, as new content is added frequently. Discover or re-discover Madison County’s storied history!