Skaneateles Historical Society

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Skaneateles Historical Society is to conduct and encourage historical research and to collect, preserve, and exhibit historical material in connection with the Town of Skaneateles.

Museum at the Creamery:

The Skaneateles Creamery Company opened in 1899 as a place for local farmers to sell their milk and for residents to buy dairy products. In 1918 the Creamery was sold to the Best Ice Cream Company, and they in turn sold it to the Borden Milk Company in 1948, which closed the following year. A local businessman bought the building for storage space and in 1989 donated it to the village.

The Skaneateles Historical Society was given the opportunity to renovate the Creamery as a museum and as a home for the Society. In 1992, thanks to gifts of time, talent, and funding from the entire community, the Creamery proudly reopened.

In 2007, the Skaneateles Historical Society acquired the former Boiler Plant of the Creamery Company. Through grants and fundraising, that building was converted into a Boat Building to display wooden boats built in Skaneateles. A Connector Wing was built between the original building and the new museum space, providing room for an expanded gift shop and additional displays. A new archival room was added where the old icehouse used to be, at the corner of the old Creamery building. And in 2013, an addition to the Boat Building was completed to house additional wooden boats that have been donated. CLICK HERE for more information on the The Creamery.