Over the course of its more than 200-year history, the Seward House Museum in Auburn, New York, has witnessed history in some remarkable ways, many of which remain in this classic home in the form of historic exhibitions, art collections, and opportunities to learn about a fascinating era in the Seward family. This little slice of history in the Finger Lakes region is worth the trip.
The Seward House was opened to the public in 1951, four years after the owner, William Henry Seward III, bequeathed the home to the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.
Seward III wanted the family home to be a memorial for his father and grandfather, who served as both a New York State Senator and Governor of New York in the mid-19th century.
The museum's collections are simply stunning; visitors are welcomed to explore its diplomatic gallery, which contains 120 photos and engravings of diplomats from around the world. While Seward was serving as Secretary of State under President Lincoln, he gradually began collecting gallery pieces representing every country that the United States had a diplomatic relationship with at the time.
Check out a number of fascinating exhibitions at this unique museum, including a current exhibition called "The Vote: Changing Minds, Changing Times," which takes a deep dive into Francis Miller Seward's role in the fight for women's suffrage.
The house was originally built in 1816 for a Cayuga County judge. The home changed owners three more times over the next 135 years before being opened to the public as a museum.
Don't forget to explore one of the museum's recent exhibits, "Forged in Freedom," a look at the life of Harriet Tubman and her relationship with the Seward family.
If you’re up for spending the day around Auburn, head down to Owasco Lake and its surrounding parks for some beautiful views. Then enjoy steak and seafood from local favorite Sunset Restaurant.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
