Historic Homes & Spectacular Gardens
Several Magnificent Finger Lakes mansions combine with splendid gardens to provide a pathway to the past. William H. Seward’s home in Auburn displays the lifetime collections and gardens of the former New York Governor, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson and prime mover in the purchase of Alaska. In addition to the mansion at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua, the extensive grounds feature nine spectacular themed gardens, an arboretum and conservatory.

Visit the homes of many of our distinguished citizens such as George Eastman, the founder or Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester; Susan B. Anthony’s home in Rochester commemorates her support of temperance, abolition of slavery and women’s rights; William Seward—Governor of New York, United States Senator, Secretary of State to President’s Lincoln and Johnson, and a leading figure in the Alaska Purchase, whose home is now a preservation in Auburn; the home of Harriet Tubman in Auburn who was principally known for her Underground Railroad activities, personally leading over 300 people to freedom and the first Post Master General of the United States, Gideon Granger’s Canandaigua Homestead, which now includes a carriage museum with over 40 vehicles.

Visit community history museums to learn about inventors and manufacturers along with men and women who contributed to our heritage. Glimpse life as it was lived during the past two centuries at the Seneca Falls Historical Society Museum, Geneva Historical Society's Prouty-Chew Museum, Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford and the Yates County Genealogical Society's Oliver House in Penn Yan. The most famous literary landmark in America, the Mark Twain Study, where the author wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and other classics, is located on the picturesque campus of Elmira College.

Civil rights and religious freedom found more than a heartbeat here, they were here, and still are. You can learn of and celebrate the freedoms won, from women’s suffrage in Seneca Falls at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the National Women’s Hall of Fame, to many of the final, most important stops of the underground railroad where southern slaves found aid in their flight for freedom.

There were many “firsts” here like Clara Barton’s American Red Cross Chapter Number One in Dansville and Pleasant Valley Wine Company in Hammondsport which holds the title of “US Bonded Winery #1.” Many are a part of Americana, like the first film with sound in Auburn, and the first community to celebrate Memorial Day—Waterloo.

Historic sites include Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, featuring 9 theme gardens and a mansion tour, and the 1890 House in Cortland that resembles a castle with many interior Tiffany touches. Take in one of the finest farm estates of its day, Rose Hill Mansion in Geneva, an 1839 Greek-revival mansion. Or visit Mark Twain’s study in Elmira where he wrote Huck Finn and other well known stories.

For a comprehensive look at the history of the Finger Lakes region, visit Genesee Country Village and Museum with over 50 buildings moved to the site from all over the area. Authentically costumed craftspeople and tour guides in each of the buildings take you back to an earlier time.

Come and visit some of the finest museums spread across the region. These include such history rich sites as Ganondagan at Victor giving a look at native American history; the Sodus Point Lighthouse Museum on Sodus Bay; the Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport featuring the life works of Curtiss, including the first plane to land on water; the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center and the National Soaring Museum in the Elmira area; the Corning Museum of Glass and the four museums of Historic Palmyra (Alling Coverlet Museum, Palmyra Historic Museum, Wm. Phelps General Store and the Print Shop) located in Palmyra, NY where the Mormon religion was founded.

Finger Lakes Counties Information...