New York is home to over 900 historical societies, preservation organizations, and heritage groups. From major institutions in Albany and New York City to small-town societies preserving local heritage, these organizations maintain vital connections to New York's rich past.
Featured Historical Societies
New York State Museum
Location: New York
Oldest and largest state museum in the country. Features extensive exhibits on New York history, Native American cultures, 9/11 memorial, Erie Canal, and natural history of the Empire State
Website: nysm.nysed.gov
New-York Historical Society
Location: New York
Oldest museum in New York City with vast collections documenting American and New York history
Website: nyhistory.org
Albany Institute of History & Art
Location: Albany, NY
Founded: 1791
Cayuga Museum of History and Art
Location: Auburn, NY
Founded: 1936
Center for Brooklyn History
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Founded: 1863
Chemung County Historical Society
Location: Elmira, NY
Founded: 1923
Columbia County Historical Society
Location: Kinderhook, NY
Founded: 1916
Cortland County Historical Society
Location: Cortland, NY
Founded: 1925
Farmers' Museum
Location: Cooperstown, NY
Founded: 1943
Living history museum depicting 19th-century rural New York life. Features historic village with working craftspeople, agricultural exhibits, and collections documenting upstate New York farm life and crafts
Website: farmersmuseum.org
Historic Geneva
Location: Geneva, NY
Founded: 1967
Madison County Historical Society
Location: Oneida, NY
Founded: 1900
Niagara History Center
Location: Lockport, NY
Founded: 1840
Onondaga Historical Association
Location: Syracuse, NY
Founded: 1862
Oyster Bay Historical Society
Location: Oyster Bay, NY
Founded: 1960
Putnam History Museum
Location: Cold Spring, NY
Founded: 1906
Queens Historical Society
Location: Flushing, NY
Founded: 1968
St. Lawrence County Center for History and Culture
Location: Canton, NY
Founded: 1947
Steuben County Historical Society
Location: Bath, NY
Founded: 1964
Suffolk County Historical Society
Location: Riverhead, NY
Founded: 1886
The Buffalo History Museum
Location: Buffalo, NY
Founded: 1862
The History Center in Tompkins County
Location: Ithaca, NY
Founded: 1863
Ulster County Historical Society
Location: Stone Ridge, NY
Founded: 1859
Westchester County Historical Society
Location: Elmsford, NY
Founded: 1874
Yates County History Center
Location: Penn Yan, NY
Founded: 1860
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Submit a Society →Additional New York History Resources
- New York State Historical Association - Statewide history organization
- New York State Historic Preservation Office - State historic preservation programs
- New York State Archives - State archives in Albany