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. records, photographic files, scrapbooks, newspapers, and more.
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died within the walls of Cortland’s Castle.
CNY LIVING HISTORY CENTER
A massive museum complex with a diverse collection from larger than
life Brockway Trucks, including a 1925 Brockway Fire Truck that traveled
back to Cortland from Argentina, to the massive collection of antique
tractors, and an impressive 10,000 items collected and curated by the
late Ken Eaton illustrating America’s Civil War to rare items of local and
national political significance.
CNY LIVING HISTORY CENTER
4386 US-11, Cortland
(607) 299-4185
www.cnylivinghistory.org
BROCKWAY TRUCK MUSEUM
Originally founded as Brockway Carriage Works in 1875, the Brockway Motor Company
played a key role in the manufacturing history of Cortland County. Examine these larger than
life trucks up close, along with memorabilia and historical documents pertaining to the
manufacturing of the trucks.
HOMEVILLE MUSEUM
The Homeville Museum offers American and local military and railroad history collections
from the Civil War era to the present. WWII veteran Ken Eaton spent more than 35 years
assembling this collection of over 10,000 items. Explore the impressive military collection
that includes a M-60 Battle Tank, a nearly full size replica of a Lackawanna 2-8-2 “Mikado”
Locomotive #2107, and the rich history of central New York.
TRACTORS OF YESTERYEAR
The T.O.Y.S. collection gives life to the agricultural history of Central New York and all of
rural America. Explore the items used on farms 50 to 150 years ago, from antique tractors to
plows, corn shellers to beef cutters. The collection also includes butter churns, ox yokes, flat
irons, shoulder water carriers, scythes, and cradles used in old rural America.
Cortland County Historical Society
Founded in 1925, the Cortland County Historical Society collects, preserves, and
interprets artifacts and documents representative of Cortland County’s history.
SUGGETT HOUSE MUSEUM
Home to exhibits related to Cortland County, visitors have an opportunity to see the items
that have shaped our history over the last 200 years. From Brockway Trucking Company to
Wickwire Brothers, the businesses, industries and people of Cortland County are reflected in
their collection and exhibits.
KELLOGG MEMORIAL RESEARCH CENTER CORTLAND COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Kellogg Memorial Research Center serves as a repository for information related to 25 Homer Avenue, Cortland
the history of Cortland County. The Collection includes maps, censuses, city and county (607) 756-6071
directories, cemetery records, genealogies, histories, vital records, surname files, military www.cortlandhistory.org
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