History

STARTS WITH YOU.

Our Winter newsletter is out now!

We’ve received a grant from the CLRC to digitize our yearbook collection!

1938-2022 are now available on line through the New York Heritage Digital collections site. 

Discover local history past & present.

  • Founding

    The Skaneateles Historical Society was formed on March 22, 1961, when an initial meeting that was attended by 48 residents was held in Library Hall. For the first six years, meetings were held in the high school cafeteria. Beginning in 1967, the Society began to meet at St. Mary’s Hall. On March 22, 1982, the Society moved to meeting rooms in the Town Hall on Jordan Street.

  • Granted Charter

    On March 29, 1968, the Skaneateles Historical Society was granted a charter by the State of New York Education Department, “incorporating Marian S. Holben, Alzina C. Loveless, Catharine R. Barnes, Julia L. Dowling, and Maurice F. Baumgartner and their associates and successors as an educational corporation under the corporate name of The Skaneateles Historical Society…to study, research, exhibit, preserve and promote whatever may relate to the history of the township of Skaneateles.”

  • Creamy Museum

    The Society eventually began to search for a permanent home. Some places considered were a baggage car from the Skaneateles Short Line Railroad, the Harvey house at the corner of East Genesee St. and East Lake Rd., and the old Grand Union building. In 1989, an opportunity was offered to the Society to take over the former Skaneateles Creamery Co. building at 28 Hannum St. The members voted in favor of this project, and with the help of the community, it opened in 1992 as the permanent home of the Skaneateles Historical Society.

  • Jamie Kokot

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

  • Karl Holland

    SALES MANAGER


Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season?

Check out your gift shop

〰️

The perfect gifts !

〰️

Gift Certificates make great stocking stuffers

〰️

Check out your gift shop 〰️ The perfect gifts ! 〰️ Gift Certificates make great stocking stuffers 〰️


WE’RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We are looking for new volunteers to assist us in the gift shop, as docents, with research and in the collections/archives areas, and with facilities maintenance.  With 89 years of volunteers preceding them, making us who we are today, it's an impressive "team" to join.


Come Check our our new Ruth Reed Cummings pieces. donated generously by Judith O’Brien


Discover history in real time with a historical walking tour.

lady-of-the-lake-bed.jpg

LIVING HISTORY

See what our patrons say:

Make a donation.

We exist because of your kindness.