Seward House Museum

09/01/2026

Visit the Seward House Museum for a special event for Girl Scouts! Enjoy a day of historical learning centered around the life and legacy of William Henry Seward’s youngest child, F***y. F***y loved writing and recorded her daily life in her diaries, offering us a look at what it was like for a young woman living during the events leading up to and during the Civil War.

This is a free event but reservations are required. Reserve your spot now here: https://forms.gle/NhJSfZSMUD5Axmh66

This event was made possible through funding from the International Society for Key Women Educations, Delta Kappa Gamma, a New York State Organization.

08/28/2026

Next week! Don't miss SHM's September First Friday, 5:00-7:30. There will be music from Infrared Radiation Orchestra, an art show from mixed media artist Samantha French, our portion of the "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom" exhibit, and rooms of the museum open for viewing!

08/28/2026

Museums are hiring and so are we! Check out our new Museum Education Assistant position.
See: https://sewardhouse.org/employment

08/24/2026

From Troy to Auburn!
We had a wonderful time welcoming the Curator Jack Beemsterboer, and Education Director Tonette Seitz, of the Hart Cluett Museum for a special field trip to the Seward House Museum. It was a great opportunity to share stories, exchange ideas, and talk about the work we do to preserve and interpret the history of New York. And, of course, we couldn’t resist talking a little Gilded Age as the Hart Cluett Museum's historic spaces in downtown Troy have served as filming locations for the hit show. We love opportunities like this to connect with fellow museum professionals, learn from one another, and celebrate the important work historic sites do every day.
Thank you for visiting, Hart Cluett Museum! We hope to see you again soon.

08/19/2026

This Friday, join us for a Lunchtime Lecture with Tom Guiler, Director at the Oneida Community Mansion House. Guiler will discuss is recent book, The Handcrafted Utopia and the radicalism in 19th century CNY that led to abolitionism, the Women’s Rights Movement, and experimental utopian societies.

This event will take place at the SHM Event Center and is FREE and open to the public.

08/18/2026

Not only did William Seward attend Union College, he and the college used the same architect: Edward Tuckerman Potter.

08/14/2026

While there may be, "small choice in rotten apples," last evening's Syracuse Shakespeare In The Park production of Taming of the Shrew was anything but rotten! A delightful evening of Shakespeare, talent, and theater in our historic gardens.

08/13/2026

"And be it moon, or sun, or what you please... hencefore I vow it shall be so for me."

Don't miss Shakespeare in the Gardens this evening at Seward House Museum! Taming of the Shrew, a is a sharp-witted comedy that follows the eccentric fortune-hunter Petruchio as he uses psychological mind games to "tame" the fiercely independent Katherine into becoming an obedient wife.

Free! Performance begins at 6pm, bring you lawn chairs and picnics too.

08/12/2026

Last month's Lunchtime Lecture: William Seward’s Madisonian Roots with former SHM staff member Alyssa Morris is available to watch now! Check it out here:

As a young man, William Seward described himself as a “Madisonian.”...

08/11/2026

The Seward Family absolutely loved Shakespeare. Case in point, this is their copy of Shakespeare's works from 1770 open to Taming of the Shrew!

Shakespeare will be returning to the SHM this Thursday at 6:00 for an open air performance of The Taming of the Shrew by Syracuse Shakespeare In The Park. Bring your folding chair and join us for this free event!