50th Anniversary!!!

Weekend Festivities

50 Years of the Brick Tavern Museum!!!

On May 31, 1974 the Schuyler County Historical Society held a dedicatory dinner at the M&M Club. The Brick Tavern Stand Museum, opened its doors to the general public on June 1 and 2 of 1974. The establishment of the Brick Tavern Museum was made possible at the time with the generous bequest of the late Mrs. Dorothy Longnecker and her son, Frank Longnecker.

To celebrate 50 Years as a museum, the Society is offering a special Grande Tour of all three of their historic sites on June 1, 2024. The Historical Society will provide bus transportation, talkin’ history presentations, light refreshments and a short music concert.

Guests will be asked to arrive at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex by 12:30 p.m. to check in. The first stop will be the Brick Tavern Museum with a guided tour, music and tea time. The second stop will be the Lee School where our schoolmarms will welcome you to your school day! There will be some lessons, followed by a 19th century school snack. The final stop will be the Lawrence Chapel with a guided tour of the cemetery, a special presentation of the building’s history follow by a sweet treat and a 30 minute harp concert. All guests will be bused back to the Schuyler County Human Services Complex by 5:15 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased ahead of time. There is a $3.00 processing fee for each ticket purchased. Children 16 and under are FREE. We look forward to celebrating with you! 

Next, in our weekend long celebration, is the last in our Talkin’ History, 200 Years Celebrating the Erie Canal on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Join us for lunch lakeside at the Seneca Harbor Station at 2:00 p.m. 

County Historian Gary Emerson will discuss, “The Great Steam Canal Boat Race of 1873.” According to Gary, “When we think of canal boats, we often picture mules or horses plodding along a towpath pulling the boats through the canals.  But almost as soon as the Erie Canal opened, people were experimenting with applying steam power to canal boats.  Many people today are not aware that our area was important in promoting steam powered canal boats.”  In 1873, New York State sponsored a steam canal boat race to encourage the development of steam power on the Erie Canal.  The state offered a $100,000 prize to the best designed boat, and one of the top competitors was made in Watkins Glen.

Pre-registration is required for this event. The cost is $30 per person including lunch. Please call 607-535-9741 to make your reservation or email: director@schuylerhistory.org. Payments will be taken the day of the event at the door!

Finally, on Monday, June 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. we will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce. There will be light refreshments and celebratory beverages! There will also be a BIG announcement! 

This event is FREE and open to the public!! We will see you there! For further information please contact us at 607-535-9741 or email director@schuylerhistory.org

The entire Schuyler County Historical Society staff and Board of Trustees is so excited to share this momentous occasion with our entire community! See you at the museum!