Who Comes to the Creamery?

I began visiting the the Skaneateles Historical Society Museum at the Creamery shortly after we moved here in 1998, chatting with historians Helen Ionta and Pat Blackler on Saturday mornings.  I began this Skaneateles blog in 2009, and since then the Creamery has been satisfying my curiosity on an almost daily basis.

Who else visits?

People seeking information on their family history. Many visitors have literally planned their vacation around their ability to use the Museum’s resources and docents. The popularity of “Finding Your Roots” on PBS, with Henry Louis Gates Jr., is just one indication of the desire to know more about family history, and to find meaning in the stories of one’s ancestors.

People who want to preserve their family’s history, even after they are gone. The Museum has no budget for acquisitions, but provides a home for a constant stream of Skaneateles memorabilia, artifacts and keepsakes coming from personal collections.

People who are curious about their house’s history, even if it’s only to share its story with friends and family, find the House Files to be invaluable. The Biographical Files are also vital to both genealogical research and to learning more about one’s home.

Sellers of an older home who believe the history of the home’s architect/builder and previous residents will add to the cachet, and value, of their home.

People buying commercial property, e.g., buildings in the historic district, who want to know more about the property’s history and what should be, or may have to be, preserved.

People concerned about change. We can’t object to or agree with change if we don’t know what the “original” was. The most recent example is Austin Park and the intent of Clarence Austin’s original gift of the land. The Museum has the resources to accurately determine “what used to be.”

People researching business history, whether it is transportation — carriage builders, steamboats, railroads — or teasels for softening the surface of woven wool. (Skaneateles teasels made fortunes here and were shipped to buyers as far away as Saint Petersburg, Russia).

People who love boats. Folk music icon Ramblin’ Jack Elliott came by on his way to an appearance because he once owned a Penguin made by Skaneateles Boats. There are thousands of Lightning owners and sailors who are potential visitors.

People who love the lake and want to preserve its purity and beauty. Knowing of past efforts, and failures, is vital to the lake’s future.

People who find history fascinating and entertaining, both visitors and residents alike. The popularity and engaging power of the new video display of more than 1,300 historical images is a testimony to that interest.

People who value the village’s unique character and want to preserve it for future generations. Part of what makes Skaneateles so special is its history and the fact that so much of it is still alive here, whether it’s the Sherwood Inn or the Krebs, so many significant homes, churches and buildings. The Museum at the Creamery is at the heart of this, and shows the community’s concern and sensitivity to preserving our village’s character.

Students: Annual visits by school classes give young people an appreciation of the community they are growing up in.

A community of volunteers – docents and researchers – who enjoy sharing history and helping others.

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The Skaneateles Historical Society Museum at the Creamery is open to the public on Fridays and Saturday, 1-4 p.m., and by appointment. Call (315) 685-1360.

Visit the Museum’s website and Facebook page, or in person at 28 Hannum Street, Skaneateles, NY, 13152, right around the corner from The Sherwood Inn.