Last updated: 3/30/2010
435 Main Street
Oneida, NY 13421
Monday - Friday
10 AM - 4 PM
$5/person for tours
Researchers: $5 for non-members, ($10 mail requests), plus copy charges.
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Sydney Loftus
phone: 315-363-4136
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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 that enhance the county's heritage for the people of Madison County and those studying the county's heritage. The Society's headquarters, Cottage Lawn, located in Oneida, is an 1849 Gothic Revival Villa designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. Cottage Lawn is preserved and operated as a historic museum.
The Madison County Historical Society was founded on March 29, 1900. It resides in the historic house museum, Cottage Lawn. The house was commissioned by owner Niles Higinbotham. He and his wife moved in the house in time for the birth of their first of three daughters in 1850. Louise, one of the daughters, left the house to the Society in her will when she passed away in the 1930s. The house includes various artifacts from the county's history and a research library.
The collection includes artifacts from the history of Madison County, ranging widely from clothing and textiles, to tools and furniture.
Archives, name files, vital stats, marriage records, death records, cemetery guides, church guides and more are available through the Mary King Research Library. We also have The Oneida Democratic Union (newspaper) on microfilm, along with census records.
MCHS programming consists of various fundraising events, changing every year. Annual events include the Craft Days, held the second weekend in September on the grounds at Cottage Lawn with over 100 crafters demonstrating and selling their ware; Hop Fest takes place the following weekend at Cottage Lawn, where speakers teach visitors about the agriculture, architecture, tools, life and culture accompanying the hop history of Madison County. During this event, visitors may pay to partake in brew tasting from numerous microbreweries.
The Annual Victorian Christmas Open House occurs in the beginning of December and is a free event for the public as a thank you for their support throughout the year. The house is decorated by local garden clubs and florists, and local groups provide entertainment with carols throughout the afternoon. Refreshments are served and the house is filled with the community.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
The MCHS newsletter is published quarterly and mailed to the membership. "Heritage" is the annual booklet published by the Society and is also mailed to the membership and is available for purchase through the office at Cottage Lawn (the subject for this publication changes yearly).
Newsletter (quarterly)
MCHS Heritage (Annually)
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