MADISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ONEIDA, NEW YORK

MADISON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY  ONEIDA, NEW YORK Discover what life was like in the Victorian period and learn about Madison County’s heritage. Norm Dann's program on Gerrit Smith Miller
June 13
6 p.m.

The Madison County Historical Society's headquarters are housed in an 1849 Gothic Revival Villa called Cottage Lawn which is listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places. Cottage Lawn, an 1849 Gothic Revival Villa designed by prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis is listed on the State and National Registry of Historic Places and is a house museum and headquarters of the Madi

son County Historical Society. Contact us about research or genealogy services, we offer in the Historical Society's Mary King Research Library.

2024 Calendar of Events

Cottage Lawn Farmers’ Market
Summer Market - June 4 – August 27
Every Tuesday – 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Mini-Pack Basket Weaving Workshop
July 27
9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Cottage Lawn Fall Market
September 3
Tuesday,12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

60th Annual Craft Festival
September 7 , 10 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. September 8, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

27th Annual Hop Fest
September 14

Continuous – Strand Weaving Workshop
September 28
9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Susan Brewer's book release and program, The Best Land: Four Hundred Years of Love and Betrayal on Oneida Territory. The program will be at the Oneida Library's Community Room, 459 Main Street
October 19
11 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. Holiday Wool Applique Ornament Workshop
October 20
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Cottage Lawn Winter (Indoor) Market
November 5 and December 3
1st Tuesdays – 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Christmas Open House
December 8
1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

06/15/2026

Now is the perfect time to become a member of the Madison County Historical Society!
Members will enjoy discounted tickets to two of our most anticipated events of the year:

Thread Through Time — a month‑long fashion exhibit showcasing 200 years of style
The October Ghost Walk at Glenwood Cemetery — an exciting fall event

Join today and experience history in the most exciting way, while saving on every ticket and having priority access to register for events.

Become a member today and don't miss out on these events.

https://givebutter.com/become-a-member-slhjgh

You can now TEXT to donate… what?? YES!Just text the word donatemchs to 53555 and make a gift in seconds.Supporting loca...
06/13/2026

You can now TEXT to donate… what?? YES!

Just text the word donatemchs to 53555 and make a gift in seconds.

Supporting local history has never been easier or faster!

Historic buildings don’t just stand the test of time on their own, they need constant care, attention, and resources to survive. The Madison County Historical Society’s beloved 1849 Cottage Lawn mansion is a treasure, but like all historic structures, it faces challenges that modern buildings simply don’t. Aging foundations, delicate woodwork, original windows, specialized materials, and ongoing preservation needs all require skilled hands and thoughtful stewardship.

Every donation helps protect this irreplaceable landmark. Your support allows us to repair and restore historic features, prevent deterioration, improve accessibility, and ensure the building remains safe, welcoming, and true to its original character. When you give, you’re not just helping maintain a structure, you’re preserving the stories, craftsmanship, and heritage that make Madison County unique.

Together, we can keep history standing strong for generations to come.

Become a Member of the Madison County Historical Society! If you love local history, community events, and supporting a ...
06/12/2026

Become a Member of the Madison County Historical Society!

If you love local history, community events, and supporting a vibrant future for Madison County, now is the perfect time to join us. Your membership helps preserve our stories, strengthen our programs, and keep Cottage Lawn thriving as a welcoming community space.

And it’s easier than ever; you can sign up online!
Join today and be part of something meaningful, fun, and deeply rooted in our shared heritage.

Become a member here: https://givebutter.com/become-a-member-slhjgh

Let’s celebrate history together. We’d love to welcome you into the MCHS family!

We’re still looking for TWO more musicians for our July Farmers Market!  The music night has added such an amazing atmos...
06/12/2026

We’re still looking for TWO more musicians for our July Farmers Market!
The music night has added such an amazing atmosphere to the market; shoppers are loving it, vendors are loving it, and we’d love to keep that energy going.
We still have July 7 and July 21 open for acoustic performers.
If you’re interested in playing on the Cottage Lawn, send us a message!

A Proud Moment for MCHS and a Beloved Piece From Our Collection Our cherished Edmonia Lewis sculpture, Clasped Hands of ...
06/11/2026

A Proud Moment for MCHS and a Beloved Piece From Our Collection

Our cherished Edmonia Lewis sculpture, Clasped Hands of Gerrit and Ann Smith, continues its travels and continues to touch hearts far beyond Madison County. We were thrilled to see it featured in a beautiful review in The New Yorker, where the author reflected deeply on Lewis’s artistry and legacy.

One line from the review captures the emotional power of this work:

“At Peabody Essex, I kept returning to ‘Clasped Hands of Gerrit and Ann Smith’… You can tell the hands have been close for years.”

To have one of our pieces admired in such a respected publication is an extraordinary privilege. This sculpture has long been a favorite in our collection, and seeing it bring joy, reflection, and inspiration to so many, including the author of this review, reminds us why preserving and sharing history matters.

We look forward to welcoming this treasured piece homer, carrying with it the stories and connections it has sparked along the way.

Thank you for a beautiful first day at the Cottage Lawn Farmers Market! Even though our opening day was a little on the ...
06/10/2026

Thank you for a beautiful first day at the Cottage Lawn Farmers Market!

Even though our opening day was a little on the quiet side, it was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon on the lawn, and we know this market will continue to grow each week as the season builds. Your support and presence truly make a difference.

Congratulations to our trivia winner, David Bowman!
David, feel free to stop by and pick up your prize.

A huge thank‑you to Melissa Clark for sharing her music and her sunshine with us. We’re excited to welcome her back again in July and August.

To our incredible vendors who braved the heat, thank you for showing up with heart.

And thank you to Levant for bringing delicious food and such positive energy to kick off the season.

We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to see this market blossom week by week. See you next Tuesday on the lawn!

Local Breweries — We’d Love to Partner With You!  The Madison County Historical Society is hosting Open Farm Day on Satu...
06/09/2026

Local Breweries — We’d Love to Partner With You!

The Madison County Historical Society is hosting Open Farm Day on Saturday, July 25, and we’re looking for one local brewery interested in setting up a free table for the day.

We’d love to feature a brewery who can share their perspective, answer questions, and maybe offer a small tasting.

If you’re passionate about hops, local agriculture, and community events, we’d love to chat. Send us a message!

Tomorrow’s the day! Join us for the first evening of the MCHS Farmers Market from 2–6 PM. Enjoy live music by Melissa Cl...
06/08/2026

Tomorrow’s the day!
Join us for the first evening of the MCHS Farmers Market from 2–6 PM. Enjoy live music by Melissa Clark, delicious food from the Levant food truck, trivia, a book exchange, open tours and shop from our amazing local vendors.
Come by, shop, eat, and relax on the lawn with great music and community vibes

NYS Path Through History Weekend at Cottage LawnJune 20 & 21!12 pm -3 pm Slow down, enjoy the season, and step into the ...
06/05/2026

NYS Path Through History Weekend at Cottage Lawn
June 20 & 21!
12 pm -3 pm

Slow down, enjoy the season, and step into the traditions that shaped springtime in Madison County. Join us for a relaxed, family‑friendly Community Picnic on the Cottage Lawn! Bring your blankets and picnic lunches, stretch out on the grass, and enjoy classic games for all ages on our beautiful historic grounds.

Inside the barn, explore our Spring Traditions Mini Exhibit, featuring historic farming and gardening tools from the MCHS collection. This small but meaningful display highlights how local families prepared for the growing season and celebrated the arrival of spring throughout our region’s past.

It’s the perfect way to connect with local history while soaking in the beauty of June at Cottage Lawn. Accessible, this is a free educational event, and all are welcome.

Address

435 Main Street
Oneida, NY
13421

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