Hammondsport’s Historic Legacy Garners National Recognition

A town gets its character from the buildings that line its streets and the people who call it home. For decades, small towns across the country have been fading away. Though a handful, here and there, manage to preserve the traditions and charm of bygone days while still moving toward the future. One such town nestled at the southern tip of Keuka Lake has been garnering accolades for over 160 years now, yet many people are still not aware of the community’s rich history. 

Hammondsport’s legacy is woven into the fabric of American history. Named one of the “25 Best Small Lake Towns in America” by Country Living Magazine and home to some of the best wineries in NY state, Hammondsport is small in size, but big at heart. And also big when it comes to its rich history.

Did you know Hammondsport was The Hotspot for early aviation experimentation and advancement in the U.S.? Know who received the first pilot’s license in the country? Who held the first pre-announced public flight in the U.S. on July 4th 1908 demonstrating to thousands of onlookers that flight was more than the fantasy of eccentrics and inventors? Who taught the first female pilot in America? Glenn Curtiss is the answer to all those and so many other questions related to aviation firsts. Chances are you have never heard of him. 

But when you visit the small town he called home, you can learn about how Curtiss became fastest man on earth, flew a dirigible, and became considered the “world’s foremost flier” at the museum bearing his name.

Hammondsport is the same small town where the world-class Finger Lakes Wine Region first took root, the first grapes being planted there nearly 200 years ago. It’s the same town where the first winery in the region was founded over 165 years ago, the first American winery to win awards in Europe for its sparkling wines, and where, nearly 100 years later an immigrant winemaker and scientist, revolutionized the wine industry for the northeastern United States.

Today, you’ll find third-fourth-fifth generation winemakers carrying on that same won’t-be-denied determination, as well as the next generation of award-winning winemakers who continue to raise the bar. Wineries like Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery (named to Wine & Spirits’ “Top 100 Wineries” in the World multiple times), Weis Vineyards (New York State’s “Winery of the Year” in 2022, 2024 and 2025), and Ravines Wine Cellars (named to Wine & Spirits’ “Top 100 Wineries” in the World multiple times, including 2025), and other exceptional wineries.

Spend some time around Keuka Lake and you’ll understand why the Finger Lakes was named “American Wine Region of the Year” (Wine Enthusiast).

Hammondsport is also where you can learn about the culture of boating that helped develop the region as a tourism destination as far back as the mid-1800s. The Finger Lakes Boating Museum offers exhibits that help tell the lake life story. The Pat II, an historic wooden vessel, offers visitors a chance to get out on the most unusual of the Finger Lakes and experience a bit of history in real time.

Many historic legacies are also reflected in the village’s rich architectural landscape, from Greek Revival homes to Victorian storefronts and Craftsman bungalows. And recently, the community’s architecturally heritage also received national recognition thanks to a village-wide historic designation on the National Register which affirms Hammondsport’s vital role in American history and provides some protections ensuring that Hammondsport’s historic character endures for generations.

With popular annual events that continue longstanding small town traditions, live music in the park during the summer, boutique and antique shops, and a handful of excellent eateries in and around town, Hammondsport is so much more than an icon of the past. It’s a thriving small community that blends the best of “the old days” with the present while continuing to lead the way into the future. 

Learn more at ExploreSteuben.com.