New Exhibits at the Suggett House Museum

Make a stop at the Cortland County Historical Society to see what’s new in the Suggett House Museum! CCHS is the memory bank of Cortland County, and each time you visit, you’ll learn something new about the past. So many stories to share!

We’ve got some special exhibits lined up for 2026 that you won’t want to miss

  • Music in Our Lives
  • The Art of Living
  • America at 250

Bring the kids to explore the changes in the Then & Now Children’s Room, too!

Admission to the Suggett House is free, but donations are always cheerfully accepted.

2026 Photo Scavenger Hunt

Join us for our 4th Annual Photo Scavenger Hunt!
Solve the riddles, explore some highlights from our county’s history, and snap photos 📸
This year’s clues were submitted by our very own municipal historians, and are based around a special theme: Revolutionary War veterans and early settlers!
Many (but not all!) of the answers will lead you into local cemeteries, and some may prove difficult to find.
Submit your photos by October 31st for a chance to win a prize! One winner will be selected from participants who solve all clues correctly, and one winner for best photo! 
 

 

 

October 29

Tamara Pilson, Historic Preservation Program Analyst for the New York State Historic Preservation Office, will present on the National Register of Historic Places. This presentation will provide an overview of the National Register program, including the Criteria for National Register eligibility and how to complete the National Register nomination form, followed by a discussion of the regulations and benefits tied to National Register listing. We will demystify the National Register process and demonstrate how the National Register program can be an effective tool for the commemoration and preservation of historic places.
An important part of the mission of the Cortland County Historical Society is education, and CCHS Lunch & Learn programs are a way for us to connect our community to local and regional history. Lunch & Learn programs are free and open to the public to align with our goal of sharing history more widely.
Please bring your own lunch if you wish, and we’ll provide a beverage and dessert. All Lunch & Learn programs take place at our event space at 9 Grace Street, Cortland. If the parking lot is full, please park on either Jewett Avenue or Grace Street, across from our building. We’re looking forward to having you join us!
If you have any questions before the day of this event, please call us at 607-756-6071.

November 4 or November 18

 

Historical Skills Workshop for Kids: Simple Weaving

This workshop series will teach simple weaving skills and is best suited for children aged 8-12. We’ll share information about the importance of weaving in the household in the past and share examples of textiles from the museum collection. All materials and instruction will be provided at each session as well as a snack.

Choose from either November 4 or November 18 and register online at https://cortland-county-historical-society-inc.square.site/shop/events/6 or call 607-756-6071. Registration is limited to 10 participants per class.

Dates: November 4 or November 18

Time: 3:30-5:30pm

Cost: $10

Location: CCHS at Grace Street, 9 Grace Street, Cortland

November 12

The Erie Canal transformed New York State. This presentation provides a general overview of the Erie Canal, its history, construction, the politics, and economic atmosphere that surrounded it. David Brooks will take a look at the lasting impact of the canal on the state and nation, exploring themes such as immigration, technology, commerce, and dispossession. Brooks is the Interpretive Programs Assistant and Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
An important part of the mission of the Cortland County Historical Society is education, and CCHS Lunch & Learn programs are a way for us to connect our community to local and regional history. Lunch & Learn programs are free and open to the public to align with our goal of sharing history more widely.
Please bring your own lunch if you wish, and we’ll provide a beverage and dessert. All Lunch & Learn programs take place at our event space at 9 Grace Street, Cortland. If the parking lot is full, please park on either Jewett Avenue or Grace Street, across from our building. We’re looking forward to having you join us!

If you have any questions before the day of this event, please call us at 607-756-6071.

December 5

“Holiday Special: As Seen on TV” Comes to CCHS Dec. 5

It’s time to haul out the holly, gather the whole family, and tune in! The Cortland County Historical Society presents “Holiday Special: As Seen on TV,” a cabaret performance featuring the Musical Theatre majors of SUNY Cortland, on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at 9 Grace St., Cortland.

Remember crowding around the TV for the season’s must-see specials? This afternoon brings that magic to life, with staged musical numbers from intimate solos to full-company showstoppers. Look for the Peanuts gang, a certain red-nosed reindeer, and the sparkle of the Lawrence Welk and Judy Garland variety shows, plus a few holiday favorites and a chance to sing along.

Afterward, deck the halls with us at a reception with holiday punch, cookies, and treats.

Tickets are $15 at cortlandhistory.org/events or at the door. With only 130 seats, they’ll go faster than a one-horse open sleigh. Every ticket supports the Cortland County Historical Society and its mission.

 BOOK CLUB – October 15

 
The next meeting will be October 2015 at 6 pm
 

 

 

 

HistoryForge Transcription Sessions

The Wednesday sessions are held from 5pm-6:30pm on the following dates:
 August 5, September 9, and October 7

The Saturday sessions are held from 9:30am-11pm on the following dates:
August 22, and September 26

HistoryForge transcription sessions take place at 25 Homer Avenue.