Richardson-Bates House Museum

Now, more than ever, we need your help to survive! The maintenance costs for the museum: heat, lights, security, internet and insurance for this 13,000 square foot architectural treasure are constants. We have taken every measure to conserve energy and manage variable costs, but in a year with no visitors and limited fundraisers, we will run a deficit. This week, letters were sent for our Annual Giving campaign when we ask our donors to make an end of year contribution to ge...t us through the winter. Pictured in the museum hallway so as to be safely distanced during the work are Eva Corradino, Annual Giving Chair, and Mary Kay Stone, President of the Board, along with Joey Sweener who is helping with the Archives Digitization Project. If you are not on our mailing list, but would like to help, please visit our website https://www.rbhousemuseum.org/make-a-gift/ Thank you! See more

How does a genealogist, a portrait in City Hall and an antique drawer pull combine to uncover a story of a notable Oswegonian? Professional genealogist, Jenifer Kahn Bakkala, of Massachusetts writes genealogy in a biographical narrative style. She traveled to Oswego recently to get some background information on the North and Hubbard families of the 1800’s for a client. Charles North arrived in Oswego in about 1842, along with in-laws William O. Hubbard and Rollin Coman and f...Continue reading

Greg Caster, on his first day as a Pall Times reporter, wrote a wonderful article about our wall project. We wish him a great career in journalism!

A new retaining wall: stable, safe, clean, pretty - still fun to walk! (Can I repeat "safe"?) Stop by and post a photo of you and your family "Walking the Wall at the Richardson Bates House Museum"! Here are some before and after pictures to remember why it was important to make the change.

Demolition of the old retaining wall. It took a lot of manpower and machinery to dismantle and take away the tons of stone in front of the museum. Here are some process shots and the crew from D&S Landscaping who engineered the job.

The Garden Club of Oswego has always been generous to us. Thank you, Debbie Jakula, Evelyn Baldwin, Linda Shurr and Charlene Mitchell (Oswego County Historical Society Vice President)! This year, they planted hostas, donated by Jim and Carol Balmer, on the corner, and they are prepping a bed for irises and roses by the handicapped entrance on the south side of the museum.

Our crumbling 150 year old retaining wall has been replaced! Today I will remind you what the old one looked like. Either drive by 135 E Third St, corner of Mohawk, Oswego, for the new look or wait for a few days and we will post the "after" photos. This project has been a goal of the Oswego County Historical Society for several years. The short wall was dangerously cracked, broken, and uneven. One winter, John Rabine, who shovels our sidewalks had to lever several capstones ...back up onto the top after they slid onto the sidewalk because underlying support had eroded.. The annual appeal last fall promised that any amount over goal would go to the wall budget and it did. One donor gave in memory of all the times he walked the wall on his way to St. Paul's School! A 2019 grant from the Community Foundation of Oswego put another $2500 into the coffers, and we are part of the Oswego Renaissance Association Block Grant for the E. Third St. block this year, and so will get $1200 when that is submitted. It is still far short of the almost $100 per running foot that this cost. (So donations are welcomed to help cover the rest.) But it is SO worth it! The old wall, though it had the heft and age appropriate to the house, did not have even a single intact capstone. it was dangerous for our events and the children who still like to walk it. See the sad photos below and say goodbye. See more

Visit museums virtually!

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented event in our lives - a time in history that should be documented for future generations. We have seen horrors and heroism. We have adapted to: Business closures Social Distancing Face masks... Remote learning Online meetings Working from home Separation from loved ones Isolation In some cases, sickness and death. This era will be remembered forever, and the Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) would like to record the stories of those living in it now. This is an opportunity for people to share their unique and extraordinary experiences of this unprecedented time. Their first-hand accounts will be collected and preserved by OCHS and used as research and educational materials, exhibits and digital output. To submit electronic materials for this project [email protected] (preferred) or mail physical documents to Oswego County Historical Society, 135 East Third Street, Oswego, New York 13126. For any additional questions about the project or to arrange a method to have files donated and preserved call OCHS at 315-343-1342. Pictured here are OCHS board members spearheading the project: Justin White, Mary Kay Stone (President), Eva Corradino and Jeremy Pekarek.

We are very proud that this is being seen by a national audience! It will be back on display here for our opening next year.

She is being celebrated!