Coming Soon! The History of Ontario County

How were the Finger Lakes formed? What were the dynamics of Native American life in the Genesee Valley?  What brought people of European descent to Western New York and the Finger Lakes Region? Ontario County Historical Society’s exhibit, The History of Ontario County, will answer these questions and more. Learn about the challenges that the […]

America 250: Changemakers of Ontario County

America 250: Changemakers of Ontario County! Be inspired by the individuals who came before us, fulfilling the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, right here in Ontario County! In Geneva, NY, Mary Ann Mallard fought to recognize Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a school holiday, twelve years before it was passed into federal law.  […]

History at Play

Welcome to History at Play, a selection of toys including unique, locally crafted toys, toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, and toys that have become part of a large collecting tradition. All were once owned and cherished by Ontario County children in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their specific forms may have […]

Motion

The Ontario County Arts Council presents Motion, an exhibit of OCAC members’ interpretations of the theme. The exhibit runs through July 17, 2026.      

Virtual Exhibit

Enjoy this digital tour of “Let’s Go Have Fun!”, a 2023 exhibit produced by OCHS exploring recreation in Ontario County. This virtual re-creation allows you to view the amazing artifacts that were part of the exhibit and watch videos breaking down the topics within.

Open Hearth Kitchen

Welcome to our Open Hearth Kitchen, an original exhibit created when the Ontario County Historical Society first opened its museum in 1914. This exhibit is a 1914 interpretation of an early nineteenth century kitchen. Its design was inspired by illustrations of kitchens in Boston and by features found in early Canandaigua area homes during fieldwork […]