Tour The Museum
and
Explore The Past.

The Madison County Historical Society’s mission is to preserve, collect, promote and exhibit the history of Madison County and its fifteen towns and one city through the development of programs and events that enhance the county’s heritage for the people of Madison County and those studying the county’s heritage.

Best Local Event
for Cottage Lawn Farmers’ Market

Thank You For Your Votes!

Best Leisure Time
for Museum/Art Gallery
Madison County Craft Festival
Thank You For Your Votes!

Best Local Event
for Madison County Historical Society’s 60th Annual Madison County Craft Festival

Thank You For Your Votes!

Best Museum/Art Gallery

Best Local Event
for Cottage Lawn Farmers’ Market

Thank You For Your Votes!

Tour The Grounds

The Cottage Lawn

Come tour the Cottage Lawn, our 1849 Gothic Revival Villa designed by prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis, now serving as both a museum and society headquarters. Discover what life was like in the Victorian period and learn about Madison County’s heritage when you book a tour.

Located in Oneida, NY, this 5,706 sqft home features two parlors, a dining room, a library/trophy room, a kitchen with butler’s pantry, vault, children’s room, grandmother’s room, housekeeper’s room, and changing exhibit room. Visit the new hop culture exhibit located within the property’s agricultural barn.

Guided House Tours:
By Appointment, Please fill out and submit the form, or call 315-363-4136 or email director@mchs1900.org to schedule a tour.
$5.00 per adult | MCHS Members & children under 12 are free

Advance reservations for tours are recommended to ensure tour guide availability. Please click on the button below to request a tour. You will be contacted by museum staff to confirm the details.

Book A Tour

Unearth The Past

Mary King
Research Library

Located within the Museum is the Mary King Research Library – a valuable resource for students, historians, researchers, and curious individuals alike.

The library contains the history of Madison County including records of statistics, published histories, newspapers, microfilms, and countless other sources of record keeping and photography.

By Appointment, Please call 315-363-4136 or email director@mchs1900.org to schedule a visit or receive/send our research request form.

Admission: Members & High School Students are free.
$20 for nonmembers | $5 student rate college/graduate

Learn about our

Hop Barn Exhibit

Stop by during major events such as Open Farm Day or the Craft Festival to discover the Hop exhibit. The Museum extends its exhibits out into the Barn on Cottage Lawn with displays that showcase a large selection of the Historical Society’s farming collection.

Learn about farm tools, equipment, and the process it took to grow hops back in the 1800s, when it was one of the most grown crops in New York State. The Historical Society unlocks the barn doors to this self-guided display during events throughout the Summer and Fall.

The documentary “When the Hop Was King in Central New York” can be found in the Madison County Historical Society gift shop for those who want to bring home the information on DVD.

Admission to the Hop Barn is Free when opened for Events!