Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes

06/09/2026

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, Union Pacific’s 4014 Big Boy will pass through Corning in a moment that connects today’s community with one of the most celebrated eras in American railroading. This extraordinary visit is part of America's 250th anniversary celebration and marks the first time this route has been traveled by the 4014 Big Boy. For railfans, families, and history lovers alike, it is a rare and unforgettable opportunity to witness living history in motion.

The 1.2 million pounds 4014 Big Boy was originally built at the ALCO plant in Schenectady, New York, in 1941, during the golden age of American railroading. Big Boy locomotives were designed to haul heavy freight over demanding mountain grades, combining immense power with remarkable engineering. This 2026 journey marks the first time the last remaining operational Big Boy has returned to the Eastern United States since leaving the factory 85 years ago.

This once-in-a-lifetime event offers a thrilling viewing opportunity for the entire community. Whether you are a dedicated rail enthusiast or a family looking to share in a memorable local experience, this historic passage promises to be a spectacle worth seeing.

To allow staff and volunteers the opportunity to witness this momentous occasion, our office and museum will close at 2:30 PM on Thursday, June 11.

For the most recent route updates, timing information, and announcements, please visit the Union Pacific website at www.up.com. Be sure to check out their safety guidelines for viewing.

05/08/2026

What a wonderful success our "Petticoats, Patriots, and Pastries" Victorian Tea Party was! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and helped make the day so memorable.

A special thank you goes to our dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the event, and to our exceptional tea committee—Debbie Amati, Diana Fee, Chris Hoyler, Sheri Golder, Rachel Goyette, Soni Lacey, Karen Rowe, and Jean Walker—whose creativity, time, and generosity brought the event to life. They created and donated most of the food and décor, making the entire experience truly special.

A highlight of the day was our guest speaker, Dr. Melinda Grube, who delivered a captivating first-person interpretation of Elizabeth Cady Stanton that transported us back in time.

Congratulations to our raffle winners:
Hilda Allington — Table Quilt, Hot Pads and Napkins (provided by Pat Starzec)
Lynne Hatch — Ellen & Michael's Gift Certificate (provided by our Board of Directors)
Joanne Coombs — Forged Shepherd's Hook and Massi's Gift Card (provided by Leon Golder and Debbie Amati)
Mary Ann Garlock — Patriotic Home Decor (provided by Diana Fee and Chris Hoyler)

Our sincere appreciation to the following volunteers who made this event possible:
Debbie Amati
Meghan Bourke
Christine Cullen
Diana Fee
Sheri Golder
Rachel Goyette
Cory Gromulus
Brian Hoyler
Chris Hoyler
Jean Krebs
Alison Merkl
Nancy Magrath
Karen Rowe
Pat Starzec
Cheryl Stephenson
Jean Walker
Darby Webster
Penny Wilson

04/28/2026

Reminder: Join us tonight at 6:30 in the Patterson Inn for our program with Kirk House on the history of slavery in Steuben County.

We also have exciting news—one seat has opened for our May 2 previously sold‑out Victorian Tea! This year’s theme, Petticoats, Patriots & Pastries, invites you into the charm of our 1796 Benjamin Patterson Inn for a three‑course experience of breads & scones, sandwiches, and desserts. Enjoy an exclusive exhibit featuring pieces from our archives and vintage clothing collection, and hear Dr. Melinda Grube bring Elizabeth Cady Stanton to life as she explores the Declaration of Sentiments and its bold call for equality. With raffles, door prizes, and a special keepsake, the afternoon is set to be a delight from start to finish.

Tickets are $45. Call 607‑937‑5281 now to claim the last seat!

04/22/2026

Join us on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 at the Patterson Inn for Kirk House’s program on Slavery in Steuben County. The program will delve into the lesser-known history of slavery in this region, shedding light on the complex and often overlooked stories of those who lived and labored in Steuben County. Kirk House, Director of the Steuben County Historical Society, will guide us through an exploration of the county's past, revealing how these narratives fit into the broader tapestry of American history. Refreshments will be served, and there will be time for questions and conversation following the presentation. The program is FREE and open to the public.

03/26/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐬

We’re grateful to all who came out Tuesday night for storyteller Vicie Rolling’s moving program on Lear Green. It was a full house with standing room only, and Vicie’s performance made the evening unforgettable. As historians and safe keepers of our community’s memories, one take away from Vicie that we want to share is “An elder passing is a library lost.” A gentle reminder to ask questions and listen to the stories of our family members. These stories hold lessons, humor, and truths that shape who we are, and hearing them keeps our shared history alive for the next generation.

Be sure to mark your calendar for our next program on April 28 at 6:30 PM, when Kirk House, Director of the Steuben County Historical Society, will be here to present on Slavery in Steuben County.

If you enjoy these kinds of programs, becoming a member is a simple and meaningful way to support what we do. Membership levels begin at just $25 annually for seniors. More details can be found on our website.

03/18/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬

Next week, storyteller Vicie Rolling will bring the powerful tale "Lear Green Speaks: Unpacking the Underground Trunk" to life. This moving performance shares the true story of Elizabeth Adams, born into slavery as Lear Green, who bravely escaped in the 1860s by mailing herself to freedom—a daring plan carried out with courage, ingenuity, and the support of trusted allies. (March 24, 6:30 pm at the Patterson Inn)

If you missed Kirk House’s eye‑opening program on the history of slavery in Steuben County, he will join us at the Patterson Inn on April 28 for an encore presentation. More details coming soon!

Plus, save the date for our annual Victorian Tea Party on May 2. This year’s theme, "Petticoats, Patriots & Pastries", will offer a charming blend of history, treats, and community. Member tickets will be available soon, with general ticket sales to follow.

03/04/2026

We’re excited to share that storyteller Vicie A. Rolling will bring her vibrant voice and remarkable presence to a special program at the Benjamin Patterson Inn on March 24 at 6:30 PM. (Please note the date change) The program is FREE and open to the public.

“Lear Green Speaks; Unpacking the Underground Trunk” shines a light on a powerful and little-known story from the 1860s community of Elmira, New York. It follows a portion of the extraordinary journey of an escaped slave, born Lear Green, who claimed the name Elizabeth Adams after taking her freedom. With the help of trusted collaborators, she crafted a unique plan to escape which was successful the first time. She “mailed” herself to freedom, a plan that involved great personal risk and courage. Her bravery and determination shaped a legacy that continues to inspire.

We hope you’ll join us for an evening filled with courage, history, and unforgettable storytelling.

We encourage you to visit Vicie’s website, framingthepaststorytelling.com, that she created to provide a conduit for the faces that are fading from history like old photographs left too long in the sun. Her work focuses on untold stories of aging, resilience, remembrance, historical drama and JOY, especially JOY! She explorers African-American history with a special emphasis on elder women and their historical reflections and representations, past and present. Vicie lives and works in upstate New York as a retired professor of health and Wellness. With over 40 years of teaching and performing experience she brings a unique set of skills to conferences, workshops, readings and one woman shows making stories come alive!

Step Into History Visit the MuseumBecome a Member 3 Our mission is to preserve and share our area’s history through educational programming and exhibits, building preservation, archival collections, and experiential learning. We’re truly thankful for your support. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR VILLAGE Exp...

02/26/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐬

Today, we would like to express our gratitude to several individuals.

We want to start by thanking Tom and Shirley Kowalik for the beautiful work they did restoring the area around the fireplaces in our dining room and tap room. The bricks had become loose and uneven, so they removed a row, added new stained boards that blend perfectly with the originals, and created a smooth beveled frame for a safer, finished look. The results are amazing, and we’re so grateful for the care they put into this project.

We also want to thank Debbie Amati, Shirley Kowalik, and Penny Wilson for purchasing ingredients, preparing, and serving a delicious hearth lunch for our raffle winner, Kathleen Richardson, and her six guests. Want to enjoy a hearth lunch yourself? Keep watching our event raffles! A hearth dinner is also in the works—more news on that coming soon!

02/24/2026

**UPDATE**
Unfortunately, the library had to cancel this program. Read more about this update here: https://corningnyhistory.com/2026/02/25/historical-pictorial-coloring-book-program-is-cancelled/

𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬! 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟏:𝟑𝟎-𝟐:𝟑𝟎 𝐏𝐌!

Join artist and illustrator Fritz Wasser as he shares insights into the drawings he created for the 1976 Historical Pictorial Coloring Book. With text by Tom Dimitroff and Lois Janes, this book offers a glimpse into local landscapes, iconic buildings, and snapshots of life from the Paleolithic era to the 20th Century.

Participants will have the chance to color photocopies of these historical illustrations. There's no need to RSVP—just drop by and enjoy the experience.

Interested in a copy of the coloring book? It's available for $10 in our gift shop, located at 73 W. Pulteney Street in Corning. The shop is open during business hours, come by and explore!

01/26/2026