Page 6 - Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau

DISCOVER THE PAST IN CORTLAND COUNTY
History C ortland County has a rich history that dates back more

than 200 years. From historic homes and monuments,
the wire and Brockway Truck industry, and military history,
we are proud of our traditions and cultural footprint.

1890 HOUSE

MUSEUM

Be prepared to be transported to 19th century Cortland at the 1890 House Museum! Built for the
late 19th-century inventor and industrialist Chester Wickwire, the home is a standing time capsule
illuminating the life of the wealthy Wickwire family.

The impressive limestone mansion, located in the heart of downtown Cortland, is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. Designed in an eclectic, Chateauesque-style, the inside of this lavish 30-room
residence showcases parquet floors, jewel-like stained glass windows, oak and cherry woodwork, and ornate
decorative stenciling.
Chester Wickwire and his brother Theodore invented a wire mesh for window screens, wire fences and
household items. As demand continued to grow for the products, the brothers opened a large factory on
South Main Street in Cortland and became millionaires.
Wickwire products were used during the construction of the
Panama Canal and The Manhattan Project—the world’s first
atomic bomb (which was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945)!
Today, the fully-furnished parlors
and recreation rooms appear
nearly untouched. The museum
features restored period room
settings, changing exhibitions
and special programs and events.

THE 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM
37 Tompkins Street, Cortland
(607) 756-7551
www.the1890house.org

VISIT NEW YORK STATE’S HAUNTED HISTORY TRAIL

Calling all paranormal-curious, eerie explorers and As seen on SyFy Network’s Ghost Hunters, the 1890
those engrossed with ghosts—the Haunted History House Museum has a long history... and ghosts!
Trail of New York State awaits you! From hotels to Voices and footsteps are heard, doors open and close
restaurants to a haunted asylum, the Haunted History on their own and silhouettes of human figures appear To explore all of New York State’s
Trail offers over 90 ghostly adventures across 400 in the windows. The unexplained ghost activity is haunted locations, or to request a
miles within nine vacation regions of New York State. attributed to several historical figures who lived and haunted trail brochure, visit www.
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died within the walls of Cortland’s Castle. HauntedHistoryTrail.com today!