New York State History Links - Historical Societies and Associations

New York State Historical Association

This page is a growing list of  links for New York State historical societies and associations.

American Irish Historical Society - aims to place permanently on record the story of the Irish in America from the earliest settlement to the present day.

Bethpage - Encyclopedia of the Unincorporated Village of Bethpage

Brooklyn Historical Society - Founded in 1863, the Brooklyn Historical Society is a nationally renowned urban history center dedicated to the exploration and preservation of documents, artwork and artifacts representative of Brooklyn's diverse cultures past and present.

Broome County Historical Society - focusing on industrial development in the history of Broome County.

Bronx County Historical Society - provides field trips for families, group members or students to The Museum of Bronx History and the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, theme programs, neighborhood walking tours, and school projects.

Brunswick Historical Society - history of the Town of Brunswick and Rensselaer County, NY, collecting yesterday for tomorrow.

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society - one of the oldest regional historical societies in the country.  Its first President was U.S. President Millard Fillmore.

Cayuga-Owasco Lakes Historical Society - was founded in 1966 to preserve the history of the twelve towns south of Auburn, New York.

Clinton Historical Society - collection of and preservation of Town of Clinton and its surrounding town's history.

Cohocton Historical Society - encourages interest in the history and development of the Town of Cohocton, Steuben County, New York and vicinity.

Columbia County Historical Society - preservation and promotion of the history of Columbia County, NY. The Society owns and operates three historic properties, open to the public during the summer season, and a museum, open year-round.

Dewitt Historical Society of Tompkins County - collections reflect the history of Tompkins County, New York, from pre-historic times to the present.

Franklin County Historical and Museum Society -  An elegant 1860s townhouse museum, featuring Victorian furnishings and early craft exhibits, plus a county-wide historical program that includes genealogy services for those with Franklin County family roots.

Fort Brewerton Historical Society - French and Indian War site with reconstructed post-Revolutionary War blockhouse museum.

Geneva Historical Society - Operates several historical houses, including Rose Hill and the Prouty-Chew House. Has 1300 cubic feet of archives and 30,000 photographic images, as well as furniture, decorative art, costumes, textiles, fine art, tools and equipment, and four historic properties.

Goshen Public Library and Historical Society - Elizabeth Sharts Historical & Genealogical Reference Room houses over 40,000 manuscripts and documents, newspapers, maps, books and pamphlets.

Greene County Historical Society - perspectives of the Catskills heritage and preservation of local historical structures and sites.

Greene County Mountain Top Historical Society - organized to promote the increase of knowledge of and interest in that portion of the Catskill Mountains referred to generally as the "Mountain Top" through the study and preservation of its art, literature, history, culture, folklore, legends and environment by means of a variety of programs, activities and projects.

Hispanic Society of America - museum and reference library for the study of art, culture, and history of Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines.

Historic Albany Foundation - for those interested in the restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings. Includes an architectural parts warehouse with an online catalogue.

The Historical Society For the Preservation of the Underground Railroad

Huguenot Historical Society (New Paltz, NY) - owns and operates the National Historic Landmark District, Huguenot Street, a collection of house museums with construction dates ranging from 1690 to 1894.

Huntington Historical Society - maintains three national register historic properties as two house museums and a Resource Center and Archives.

Italian Historical Society of America (Brooklyn, NY) - preserves biographical and other material relating to persons of  Italian lineage, publishes documents and reports, will establish and maintain a cultural center or centers, will administer scholarships and fellowships.

Klyne Esopus Historical Society Museum (Ulster Park, NY) - local history from 1608 until the present.  The collection includes family genealogies, cemetery records, church records, census records, house and locality records, and maps.

Lancaster New York Historical Society - officers, Board of Directors, membership application, and copies of their newsletter The Lancaster Legend, 40 Clark Street, Lancaster, NY 14088, (716) 681-7718.

Livingston County Historical Society - history of Livingston County.

Lynbrook Historical & Preservation Society - educating the public about and working to preserve the history of Lynbrook, NY (formerly Pearsall's Corners).

Medina Historical Society - offers a newsletter, holiday open house, school tours, historic home and garden tour, and sells a book on Medina history.

Minisink Valley Historical Society - a wealth of information about the Minisink region.

Mohawk & Hudson Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society

Mountain Top Historical Society of Greene County - organized to promote the increase of knowledge of and interest in that portion of the Catskill Mountains referred to generally as the "Mountain Top" through the study and preservation of its art, literature, history, culture, folklore, legends and environment by means of a variety of programs, activities and projects.

Nanticoke Valley Historical Society (Maine, NY) - collecting valley history.  Nanticoke Creek flows south through a valley that extends from near Whitney Point, NY to the Susquehanna River in the town of Union. Nanticoke creek and valley were named after an American Indian tribe that once lived in the area.

National Maritime Historical Society - covers aspects of maritime history and seafaring, including the art, literature, and culture of the sea, sail training, ship saving, and maritime museums and events.

Newark Valley Historical Society - operates the Bement-Billings Farmstead and Newark Valley RR Depot, contact information: PO Box 222, Newark Valley, NY 13811, (607) 642-9516.

New York Central Historical Society - membership includes former NYC and subsidiary line employees, rail historians, students of railroad engineering, serious modelers and those with fond memories of one of America’s greatest railroads.

New York Correction History Society - excellent histories of DOC institutions and their role in New York State and American history.

New York Covered Bridge Society - formed in 1966 to bring enthusiasts together to help preserve the old historic covered spans, to work with local communities interested in saving bridges, to collect information on all New York State covered bridges and to make such historical information available to its members. 

New-York Historical Society - museum collections and exhibitions, research library, archive and print room, programs, and store.

Niagara County Historical Society - maintains the Outwater Memorial Building, Niagara County Genealogical Society, Pioneer and Transportation Building, Fire House, Yates Farm Barn, Washington Hunt Building, Colonel William Bond House, and Hille House.

Northport Historical Society and Museum - The site includes museum events and programs, a "Kids' corner," teacher resources, a timeline, and other historical information on Northport and its environs, including East Northport, Fort Salonga, Asharoken, and Eatons Neck.

Oliver House (Penn Yan, NY) - home of Yates County Genealogical & Historical Society, operates a museum to discover, preserve and interpret whatever may relate to the history of Yates County, to collect materials and objects relating to the history of Yates County, and to plan exhibits which relate to local history.

Onondaga Historical Association (Syracuse, NY) - genealogy, architecture, industrial and transportation history.

Ontario County Historical Society - founded in Canandaigua, in the late 1800's, by Charles Miliken, who was editor of a local newspaper, the Ontario County Times.

Ontario and Western Railway Historical Society - dedicated to preserving the heritage of New York Ontario and Western Railways.

Ossining Historical Society - organized in 1931 to educate the public in the history and traditions of Ossining on Hudson and vicinity.

Oswego Town Historical Society - web site includes genealogical research application. 

Oyster Bay Historical Society - provides craft exhibits, lectures, maps, photos, historical and genealogical documents, headquartered in the historic Earle-Wightman House museum and library.

Queens Historical Society - museum and local history research center (library and archive), headquartered in a historic site, Kingsland Homestead, colonial farmhouse history shown through exhibitions, house and walking tours, and educational programs.

Photographic Historical Society, The (Rochester, NY) - brings together all individuals with an interest in the history of photography.

Rensselaer County Historical Society - established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life.

Richmond Hill Historical Society - educational programs, historic house tours, and more.

Rockland County Historical Society - operates Jacob Blauvelt House and History Museum Center.

Rome Historical Society - the Society has a museum, the William E. Scripture Memorial Library, an archives, artifacts, and much more to offer researchers.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society - The mission of the society is to Preserve the history of the island thru educational projects, lectures, tours, exhibits and outreach to the community and others interested in this unique community; Restore and preserve the landmark structures on the island; Collect and maintain an archive of written material and memorabelia.

Rye Historical Society - operates two historical houses: The Square House, c. 1730, an interpreted tavern house, and the Knapp House, c. 1670, with a library and archives. 

Saint Lawrence County Historical Association - preserving county history and operating a museum and archives in the country Greek Revival house originally belonging to Silas Wright, Governor of New York 1845-1846.

Saratoga Springs Historical Society - Permanent and changing exhibitions that document the long and varied history of the resort community. Emphasis is on spa, gambling, hotel and ethnic history of Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga County Historical Society - operates the Brookside Museum.

Schaghticoke Knickerbocker Historical Society

Scarsdale Historical Society - provides large array of exhibitions, lectures, meetings and educational programs.

Schenectady County Historical Society - history, genealogy, library, and the Jan Mabee Farm.

Schoharie County Historical Society  - a page of web links related to the history and genealogy of Schoharie County.  

Sharon Historical Society - founded in 1971, dedicated to preserving the history of Sharon, operating the Sharon Historical Museum and the Chestnut Street School.

Shelter Island Historical Society

Skaneateles Historical Society - museum and nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of Skaneateles.  Web site offers data from St. Mary's gravestones, Lakeview Cemetery, and 19th century newspapers, as well as family files from the Society's archives.

Smithfield Community Association - a not-for-profit organization formed to preserve the historic buildings and properties in the hamlet of Peterboro, in Madison County, NY.

Staten Island Historical Society - The Staten Island Historical Society operates Historic Richmond Town, an authentic village, museum complex and archives, interpreting three centuries of daily life and culture on Staten Island. Many buildings have been restored and are open for touring.

Sullivan County Historical Society - history and genealogy.

Three Village Area - historical society on the North Shore of Long Island.

Tully Area Historical Society - south of Syracuse, runs a bookstore and Exhibit Hall

Tioga County Historical Society - an educational organization which interprets the history of Tioga County, New York, by collecting and preserving artifacts, operating a museum, conducting educational programs, and publishing material on the county.

Thomas Paine Historical Society - founded January 29, 1884 in New York City,
to commemorate the life and works of Thomas Paine and to ensure Paine's rightful place in history as pre-eminent founder of the United States of America.

Tonawanda Kenmore Historical Society - founded in 1849.

Ulster & Delaware Railroad Historical Society - focuses on Catskills and Hudson Valley RR history including U&D, Delaware and Northern, Catskill Mountain, Catskill and Tannersville, and Otis Elevating Railroads.

Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. - an effort to research, identify, celebrate, and preserve the Underground Railroad's story in the Capital Region.

Vestal Historical Society and Museum - discovers and collects material that may help to illustrate the history of the Town of Vestal and surrounding areas.

Westchester County Historical Society - library and research center founded in 1874.

Western New York Railway Historical Society - dedicated to preserving Western New York's railroad heritage through restoration projects and other events.

Yorktown Historical Society - fostering public awareness and pride in Yorktown's heritage.