The Historical Society

The Ontario County Historical Society is a 501(c)3 Not for Profit Corporation that was established in 1902. It owns and operates a Community History Museum located in the Heart of the Historic District in Canandaigua New York and is part of New York State’s Path Through History. The Society is not affiliated with any government agency and operated on public donations, membership dollars and limited public and private grants. This includes annual Operating donation from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, with the support from the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Mission and Vision

Mission: To nurture and add value to a county-wide community by preserving and presenting our historic collections in a way that provides accessible educational opportunities and encourages dialogue. 

Vision: To be a culturally inclusive partner, inspiring our future through interpretation of our past.