Feel like learning a little history, not too far from the Syracuse area? I decided to go with a…read moregroup to tTe Living History Center in Cortland, New York. There's plenty of free parking, spacious send clean. Because I was part of a group. We received a discounted rate. The mission statement is to develop a museum for the preservation of historical artifacts of local, national and international significance. They will host there that brought us around and answer any of our questions. Here we learned about the most rugged trucks in the world, the home of the Brockway Truck history, Military memorabilia from the Civil War to the Gulf war, model trains n railroad history, which was quite interesting. Theres a great display of Agricultural History in the Big Red Barn also located on the premises. You get a chance to see how people lived back in the day from Grandma's Kitchen Parlor, vintage Tractors, Fire Trucks from 1815-1970's and the History of the Dairy Industry! So take the ride with the family or group . The hi yes see Tuesday- Saturday 10-5. It's Handicapped accessible with wheelchairs bad scooters available too. information on events in the area regarding this museum you can visit them on Facebook or their website www.cnylivinghistory.org..

It's and amazing place to learn about history and about trucks that were built in New Yorkread more

This site preserves this history of abolitionist Gerrit Smith, who used his wealth to fund…read moreactivities to free enslaved individuals, help with the Underground Railroad, and other social/civic needs. He was the cousin of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who spent time on this property. That means that this property was also connected to the suffragist movement. Visiting this site taught me much more about history that I expected. The nearly 2-hour tour was very informative. The guide knew was able to answer all of our questions! We spent part of the time sitting in the land office, so we were not standing the entire time. You'll need a map to find Peterboro, but it is worth looking at a map, finding it, and visiting. (It is northeast of Casenovia, NY.) Yes, find it! You'll be glad you did!

After touring the nearby Stickley factory we drove a few miles to the Fayetteville library where…read morethis gem of a museum is located on the second floor. This used to be the factory years ago. The library on the first floor is hands down the best furnished library we've been in since it was all Stickley furniture! The museum is small but well done with good displays. The curator Amanda was very helpful and enthusiastic. We learned a lot on top of the tour we just did. Highly recommend but check the days and hours that the museum is open since they are limited.

We planned to tour the Stickley Museum as an add-on rather than a focal point of our family's…read morevacation itinerary, but it turned out to be the highlight of our trip! In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we were surprised we stayed so long! And, we hope to return! I must say that our enjoyment was mainly due to the personableness and knowledgeability of the director and curator, Amanda Clifford, who communicated effectively from day one; that is, the day I emailed before the trip, and that's out of the country since we're not even Americans! We're Canadians and we're antique furniture artisans. Amanda was so attuned to our passions--perhaps sharing them even--that the three of us covered a lot of territory together at once. We felt like the tour was a real treat, being able to discourse deeply over the mechanics, aesthetics, history, sentimental values plus the current appreciation of antique furniture. We discussed the variety of woods, the types of structural techniques, the idiosyncrasy per Stickley brother, and enjoyed listening to all the fascinating stories behind specific pieces, time periods, and personalities. The visit really adds meaning to our own work! Moreover, the museum is situated above a lovely public library, which kept our kids, who preferred to do something other than to study old furniture, busy with computers and books while my husband and I toured the floor above. The librarians were friendly and accommodating. Even more, every space in that building, including the washrooms, seems to be furnished with prized pieces of Stickley antiques! The venue, including its outdoor garden and indoor cafe, has a wonderful atmosphere all around! While explaining some of the history of the Stickley company, Amanda ended up also covering information on Fayetteville, a quaint, history-preserving community, plus other cities and regions in the state of New York. Every question we asked her--be it regarding furniture, geography, history, or just plan tourist-related interests--was answered with expertise, courtesy, and thoughtfulness. Thank you, Amanda, for making the tour a thorough pleasure! We hope to return in the near future for a visit to the Stickley factory in nearby Manlius, NY, too! ------------------------------- People may not realize this as personally until they visit a museum like this one, but the pieces of wood we use as furniture in our homes are items we live with day and out, and throughout history. How we make them, use them, decorate with them, choose them, maintain them, and value them speaks a great deal about the culture from which we come and about the characters who own them. This is what makes furniture both pragmatic and personal, functional and fascinating, and why so much of ourselves as human beings is invested into antiques; hence, making a visit to the Stickley Museum so significant. (Written by the owner of "Olden Wood Revivals", a co. of artisans who specialize in restoring antique furniture in Northumberland County, Ont., Canada)

Absolutely worth seeing. Beautiful woodwork and design of a home that started in the late 1800's…read moreand kept developing. Miraculously saved for us to see it today by a women's group in the early 1900's. The tour guide was so helpful and knowledgeable.

Came to Binghamton on a layover and had TONS of time so decided to check this place out. Didn't…read morethink it would be that great but I was wrong. The mansion itself, from the outside, is three stories.....or is it.....and absolutely beautiful on the inside. Lots of great things to look at and take pictures of. I won't post my pictures cause you need to see it for yourself. Tho I'll give you one glance with this pic of myself. The tour guide Amanda was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The tour lasts an hour and is only $7!! You need to go if you're in Binghamton! Definitely worth it!

I did a late July sunset cruise. Gorgeous on the water, super educational, and learned that salt is…read moremined from the bottom of this freshwater lake. Musical interludes break up the history.

Educational, clean and helpful! The staff was very knowledgable and welcoming; and the boat was…read moreclean & COVID-safe. And the views were breath-taking!

Well worth a visit for anyone interested in American history. It was hot but our tour guide Ally…read morewas unflappable, entertaining and gave us a fantastic experience. The history of the house and the Seward family was very interesting and Ally knew about every painting and object our group asked about.

William Seward could have been the US President instead of Abraham Lincoln at that time - did you…read moreknow that? Lincoln was selected by their political party to run. Candidacy was not in Seward fate. True. Yet, after the election Mr. Seward worked alongside President Lincoln. Much unrecognized credit goes to Seward for promoting forward thinking policies at the time. Seward may be best known for his contribution as US Secretary of State in the purchase of the Alaskan territory from the Russian Empire in 1868. Termed "Sewards Folly" as at the time many skeptics who thought it unworthy for the US to purchase Alaska for $7 million dollars. Seward went to his grave firmly believing that one day in the future it will prove to be a very good decision. Alaska, rich with oil and natural resources, later was appreciated as an asset. Willam Seward held office as a governor of New York and Senator of New York. He was also a US Senator. And a US Secretary of State. This and many other interesting and historical facts are to be learned when you tour the Seward House Museum in Auburn, NY. Our tour-guide was enthusiastic. Fantastic wealth of knowledge. He gave us so much information in a fun and lighthearted way, about Mr. Seward, his family members, his political involvement, and his contributions to ending slavery. Amazing tour, and beautiful historic home where almost every artifact is the original. Beautiful wood work in the home. Lovely China dishes and stately decor. Did you know that the Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman had a stop in the basement of this now historic home? It sure did. The Seward family housed and protected slaves seeking freedom right in this very home. Harriet Tubman, a slave from Maryland who became a famous freedom fighter, finally settled in Auburn, NY in 1859. Harriet Tubman practiced her faith and continued to fight for human rights and dignity until she died in 1913. There is a National Historical Park dedicated to Harriet Tubman in Auburn that would be worth visiting on a future trip.

Great museum collection if you can find a day they are open... which is rarely or never.read more

Very nicely done historic buildings, friendly tour guide, interesting history! Five buildings,…read moregeneral store, typesetter store, erie canal u history, Palmyra, Winston Churchill, and more! Kristy was an especially knowledgeable and friendly guide.

Great place to go w the kids. The tour was incredible. I learned SO MUCH about boats and how those…read morewere run. Great job to all of the actors involved. Was so believable. I'm impressed. The only star off for safety. I'd not let kids wonder around in the blacksmith quarters. Just too unsafe for little fingers. Please keep all of the kids behind on the benches.

This is a great small historic site with a working blacksmith. Don't expect an entire historic…read moredistrict, but if you want to learn something about US history, this is a great way to spend a couple of hours.