Cayuga Museum of History and Art & Case Research Lab

10/17/2026

To conclude the “Harriet: A Taste of Freedom” art exhibition, the Cayuga Museum invites the public to attend “Freedom Aprons” by artist and Griot Vanessa Johnson.

Combining storytelling with songs and chants, “Freedom Aprons” is a live spoken word performance examining the lives of women, such as Harriet Tubman and Catherine Harris, who fought for the abolition of slavery and for civil rights. Using primary documents from the Onondaga Historical Association, the New York State Archives, and from National Collections, Johnson tells the stories of Abolitionists and Slaveholders, Northerners and Southerners, Black and White, Free and Enslaved, and the Women of Slavery and the Underground Railroad.

The performance will run from 5:00-6:00pm on Saturday, October 17, at the Carriage House Theater, located behind the museum at 203 Genesee Street, Auburn. While admission is free, donations are greatly appreciated

10/16/2026

Saturday, October 17 is your last chance to see the multi-site exhibit "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom." Visit the Cayug Museum, Schweinfurth Art Center, and NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center to see this exhibition before it goes off display! Then join us in the Carriage House Theater for a closing performance by CNY artist, Vanessa Johnson at 5 PM.

10/16/2026

Today’s the day! Auburn’s newest mural, “Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound & Light”, will be unveiled today at 5:00pm! We hope you’ll join us for that, but first, watch our final video exploring the mural. Today we look at the Case family’s summer home, Casowasco.

“Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound and Light” was designed by Arthur the Artist and made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative with support from the Office of the Governor, A&M Graphics, and other generous supporters.

10/15/2026

A heads up that two of the exhibiting sites, Willard Memorial Chapel and Seward House Museum, will both have events this weekend and will no longer have their displays of the multi-site exhibition "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom" available to view. All other participating sites will have their portions of the exhibit available through Saturday, October 17. If you did not get a chance to check out the displays at the closing sites, check out the virtual galleries at https://cayugamuseum.org/harriet-artists-gallery/

The Willard Chapel will be closed tomorrow Friday October 16th for a wedding ceremony. We will reopen the following day from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Today is your last chance to view Harriet: A Taste of Freedom Exhibition in our archive room! And tonight we are hosting Nevermore: A Reading with Edgar Allan Poe starting at 6 PM. Tickets will be available at the door ✨

10/15/2026

Auburn’s newest mural, “Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound & Light”, will be unveiled tomorrow at 5:00pm at the corner of Genesee St. and Loop Rd.! As we continue our in-depth look at the people, places, and objects featured on the mural, today we look at E.I. Sponable, Ted Case’s right hand man and film industry pioneer.

“Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound and Light” was designed by Arthur the Artist and made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative with support from the Office of the Governor, A&M Graphics, and other generous supporters.

10/14/2026

This is your last week to see the incredible exhibition "Harriet: A Taste of Freedom." Visit each of the five exhibiting sites with your passport and be sure to get it stamped and turn in the back page to be entered intor a raffle for a special prize.

Get a taste of Taste of Freedom with this virtual gallery of the Cayuga Museum's portion of the exhibit. We will be adding a virtual gallery of each of the exhibitions to the Cayuga Museum website, so if you aren't able to view this exhibit in-person you can always check it out there!

Be sure to wrap up this exhibition with us on Saturday with artist Vanessa Johnson during her performance "Freedom Aprons" from 5 - 6 PM in the Carriage House Theater.

NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center Schweinfurth Art Center Seward House Museum Willard Memorial Chapel

Matterport 3D Showcase.

10/14/2026

Auburn’s newest mural comes to the corner of Genesee St. and Loop Rd. on Friday! As we continue our in-depth look at Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound & Light, we’re going over the three buildings where the Case family lived and worked. For more information on the unveiling, visit our website.

“Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound and Light” was designed by Arthur the Artist and made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative with support from the Office of the Governor, A&M Graphics, and other generous supporters.

New York State Council on the Arts CNY Arts Auburn Downtown BID A&M Graphics

10/13/2026

Happy anniversary to us! The Cayuga Museum opened to the public 90 years ago today! A huge shout-out to all those who have supported us in our mission to preserve local history and provide a space for the arts. We're thrilled to have served the Cayuga County community for 90 years and look forward to what the future holds!

Check out some photos from the 90th anniversary party we held on Saturday.

10/13/2026

Auburn’s newest mural comes to the corner of Genesee St. and Loop Rd. on Friday! As we continue our in-depth look at Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound & Light, we’re taking a look at a short film the lab made featuring vaudevillian Gus Visser and his singing duck. For more information on the unveiling, visit our website.

“Theodore Case: The Magic of Sound and Light” was designed by Arthur the Artist and made possible by the NYSCA CHARM Initiative with support from the Office of the Governor, A&M Graphics, and other generous supporters.

New York State Council on the Arts CNY Arts A&M Graphics Auburn Downtown BID Finger Lakes Film Trail