Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Finger Lakes Boating Museum Dedicated to preserving the rich history of boating and boat building in the Finger Lakes. Museum membership has expanded to over 300.

In 1996 a small group of dedicated antique boating enthusiasts, motivated in part by a common concern over the rapidly dwindling population of locally-built wooden boats, committed to establishing a museum that would preserve the boating heritage of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The museum founders, all active in the "antique boat world," felt that a museum focusing on the impact that

recreational and commercial boating had on the development of the lakes and tourism in the Finger Lakes Region would increase appreciation and awareness as well as help preserve these vintage craft. The following year a provisional charter was granted by the New York State Department of Education for the newly-formed Finger Lakes Boating Museum. As word of this project has spread, many like-minded people have joined the effort. A steady stream of vintage boats and related objects have been offered for donation, and the Museum Collection has now grown to more than 115 boats built by many of the 40+ commercial builders identified to date as having built boats throughout the Finger Lakes Region during the last century. The Collection includes canoes, rowboats, row outboards, outboard runabouts, inboards, iceboats and sailboats; as well as many related artifacts and ephemera. Thanks to the generous efforts of a small army of volunteers, we have managed to restore several of our boats to near-original condition, field numerous shows and exhibits, conduct workshops on boat building and boat restoration techniques, publish quarterly newsletters and many articles on the boating history of the Finger Lakes region, and provide assistance with countless research requests. On February 28th of 2014, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum took possession of the former Taylor Wine Company buildings at 8231 Pleasant Valley Rd, just outside of the village of Hammondsport. Since taking over, a crew of entirely volunteers have worked tirelessly to restore the main building and put together the exhibits that are on display currently.

There’s still time to get your tickets for BOAT DRINKS🍹don’t miss this party because “Come Monday” you’ll be wishing you...
02/26/2025

There’s still time to get your tickets for BOAT DRINKS🍹don’t miss this party because “Come Monday” you’ll be wishing you were “Five O’Clock Somewhere!”

📍www.flbm.org/boat-drinks

We are hiring! What an exciting milestone - thank you so much to everyone who has supported our campaign to recruit a Bo...
02/22/2025

We are hiring! What an exciting milestone - thank you so much to everyone who has supported our campaign to recruit a Boatwright & Collections Manager. This is a new - and huge - step for us. Please see the position description here: https://www.flbm.org/join-the-crew -- and share!

February break is finally here! 🎊 Who's more in need of a break - you or the kids? Let's be real, making the most of fam...
02/19/2025

February break is finally here! 🎊 Who's more in need of a break - you or the kids? Let's be real, making the most of family time can be tough! Take a deep breath and plan a fun day out at your local museum!

🌴FLEE THE FREEZE!🌴Join us on March 1st for some boat-worthy drinks and summer vibes from the Finger Lakes finest! Take a...
02/17/2025

🌴FLEE THE FREEZE!🌴

Join us on March 1st for some boat-worthy drinks and summer vibes from the Finger Lakes finest! Take a break from the winter woes and visit these amazing wineries, breweries, distilleries, and more at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum!

📍TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
www.flbm.org/boat-drinks

02/17/2025

What a winter we are having!
We are going to be closed again today, Monday 2/17... the wind is not doing us any favors as we try to keep our doorways clear and safe.
Don't know about you all, but we sure do want to go where it's warm! https://www.flbm.org/boat-drinks

Finger Lakes Boating Museum is closed today due to this crazy weather. Stay safe and check out our upcoming events and a...
02/16/2025

Finger Lakes Boating Museum is closed today due to this crazy weather. Stay safe and check out our upcoming events and activities online: www.flbm.org... including:
🛶🥂🍻🍸Boat Drinks We will all need a break from cabin fever! Get your tickets now!
🛶Boat Building Workshop -- Exclusive opportunity to build a rowing shell with Ed Wightman!
🛶Upcoming Coffee Chats and Lectures - some of our most popular get-togethers with subject experts... and snacks!

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum exists to provide educational programming and exhibits that help preserve the rich boating history of the Finger Lakes.

Join us for a unique opportunity to connect with a local expert and learn about the fascinating history of the Pat II! C...
02/08/2025

Join us for a unique opportunity to connect with a local expert and learn about the fascinating history of the Pat II! Captain Rob Whitcomb knows this historic vessel inside and out - literally (for real!) - he was on the restoration team and he skippers the boat each summer. His engaging manner will hold your attention and draw you into the conversation. Registration is welcome but not required - call 607-569-2222.

02/06/2025

Finger Lakes Boating Museum will open at Noon today. Stay safe, but come and see us if you want to get out an about!

02/03/2025

Tickets on sale now! https://www.flbm.org/boat-drinks ⛵🍺🍷
Join us for what we hope will be the warm-weather-wishing event of the season! Food by Timber Stone Grill, with thanks to our lodging sponsor Blushing Rose B&B and Cottage on the Square.
And featuring drinks by:
Black Sheep Distillery
Boundary Breaks Vineyards
Bully Hill Vineyard
Heron Hill Winery
Krooked Tusker Distilling
Lakewood Vineyards
Relative Risk Brewing
Service Station Coffee
Weis Vineyards

01/29/2025

Cold out there? It's warm in here! 🌞Cure your cabin fever with us! We are open every day. And on Saturday March 1 we are going to party away the winter funk!... Tickets for Boat Drinks go on sale this weekend! 🍷🍹🍺🛶⛵

We are open today! Stop by and hang out with our huge collection of boats! Ask about kids activities when you arrive!
01/28/2025

We are open today! Stop by and hang out with our huge collection of boats! Ask about kids activities when you arrive!

01/21/2025

Finger Lakes Boating Museum will be closed to the public Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Offices will be open.
Stay warm out there, Friends!

01/18/2025

It's the heart of winter and it's time to think boats! For the 15th year running (2020 not withstanding), FLC will have an exhibit at the CNY Boat Show at the state fairgrounds in Syracuse (Feb 13-16).
We can definitely use volunteers to help staff it (members and members-to-be!). You get free admission to the entire show, of course. We'll have snacks and drinks at the booth.
It's a lot of fun being amidst all those fancy, shiny and modern boats and we are a popular stop. The photo below is from the 2024 show.
If you're available, please call or email Dave Couch: [email protected] or 315-263-7546. We'll have a name badge for you if you can contact him by Feb. 5.

Register today to take the New York State Boating Safety Course with us!Saturday, February 8Saturday, March 22Sunday, Ap...
01/16/2025

Register today to take the New York State Boating Safety Course with us!
Saturday, February 8
Saturday, March 22
Sunday, April 20
Saturday, May 17
https://www.flbm.org/boating-safety

Ahoy there! Ever wonder what our Captains do in the off-season? Stop by the Museum for a chat and find out! This Thursda...
01/13/2025

Ahoy there! Ever wonder what our Captains do in the off-season? Stop by the Museum for a chat and find out! This Thursday, 1/16, Captain Dave Rockwell launches our new Coffee Chat series at 10:30 a.m. In addition to being an accomplished Pat II captain, Dave is the skipper of The William Scandling, the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Seneca Lake research vessel. Dave will talk about research methods aboard the boat and the crew’s fascinating findings including mapping the lake bottom and discovery of steamboat and canal era sunken wreckage. Free with Museum admission, always free for Members. Thank you for the awesome pic of the Scandling!

The FLBM family shares heartfelt condolences with Bill's family. And we are honored to remember him as a Museum founder,...
01/04/2025

The FLBM family shares heartfelt condolences with Bill's family. And we are honored to remember him as a Museum founder, steadfast curator of boating history, and a friend. Thank you, Bill - your legacy lives on in our collections records, in your many books and articles, and through your amazing restorations.

View WILLIAM M "Bill" OBEN's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

12/17/2024

When you shop local, you can be sure you will get it in time for Christmas! At the FLBM Ship's Store we have unique stocking stuffers, fun kids' gifts, and that just-right present for the hard-to-shop-for on your list. Check out works by local artists and authors! PLUS 20% off now through 12/31!! Open daily 10a.m.-4 p.m... and on Chirstmas Eve until 1 p.m.! Oh yeah - come check out our really cool boats while you are here, too! 😉🎅

Address

8231 Pleasant Valley Road
Hammondsport, NY
14840

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16075692222

Website

Alerts

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Videos

Ed is always imparting his wisdom - take advantage of learning from the best at our upcoming Workshop Series. From expert to beginners, there is always something to learn. 📍Go to www.flbm.org/museum-events/boat-building-workshop to learn more!

Tickets on sale now! https://www.flbm.org/boat-drinks ⛵🍺🍷 Join us for what we hope will be the warm-weather-wishing event of the season! Food by Timber Stone Grill, with thanks to our lodging sponsor Blushing Rose B&B and Cottage on the Square. And featuring drinks by: Black Sheep Distillery Boundary Breaks Vineyards Bully Hill Vineyard Heron Hill Winery Krooked Tusker Distilling Lakewood Vineyards Relative Risk Brewing Service Station Coffee Weis Vineyards

Cold out there? It's warm in here! 🌞Cure your cabin fever with us! We are open every day. And on Saturday March 1 we are going to party away the winter funk!... Tickets for Boat Drinks go on sale this weekend! 🍷🍹🍺🛶⛵ #fingerlakesny #exploresteuben

When you shop local, you can be sure you will get it in time for Christmas! At the FLBM Ship's Store we have unique stocking stuffers, fun kids' gifts, and that just-right present for the hard-to-shop-for on your list. Check out works by local artists and authors! PLUS 20% off now through 12/31!! Open daily 10a.m.-4 p.m... and on Chirstmas Eve until 1 p.m.! Oh yeah - come check out our really cool boats while you are here, too! 😉🎅#exploresteuben #Hammondsport #fingerlakesregion #iloveny #fingerlakesny #shoplocal

Giving Tuesday - Mixing it up in the Boat Shop! ⛵️🎨 https://www.flbm.org/annual-appeal Ed Wightman is in the shop helping prep the artist "canvases" for the 2025 Palettes of Keuka auction. Why is this our Giving Tuesday message? Ed gives so much to FLBM and to the community. Help us give him the the opportunity to grow our professional staff. With your support, Ed can help hire and mentor FLBM's first boatwright and collections staff member. Give today! https://www.flbm.org/annual-appeal #GivingTuesdaycampaign #palettesofkeuka #boatwright #keukalake #hammondsportny

Brains in jars, wine ghouls, sinking spirits, dancing fools! Two nights left to get in on the fun! Www.flbm.org. We are so grateful for the amazing reviews we received last night from our over 45 guests (hearty souls!). And we can't rave enough about these incredible volunteer performers! Don't miss this one, folks!

FLBM's Legends & Lore: Troubled Waters - Oct 24, 25, 26 - www.flbm.org ... Gives a whole new meaning to "behind the scenes tours"! Creepy tunnels? Of course. Dusty storehouse in disarray? Yep. Clammy furnace room? Check. What a setting for a guided theatrical experience where volunteer actors lift the veil on the mysterious and morbid side of our beloved FLX! #exploresteuben #fingerlakes #fingerlakesny #fingerlakesregion #Hammondsport #iloveny #keukalake #hammondsportny #Halloween #halloween

Shhhhhh! The Quiet Curse. 💀💔 Heartbreaking... and super creepy! Legends & Lore: Troubled Waters. Tickets on sale now... www.flbm.org.

Nearly a wrap here at Bath Country Club BCC with support from these amazing Business and Patron sponsors!

Stop by on Independence Day! Six exhibit halls - over 100 boats on display - working boat restoration shop - activities for the whole family! We are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! See details at www.flbm.org. #july4 #steubencounty #exploresteuben #Hammondsport #fingerlakestourismalliance #fingerlakestourism

Tickets for specialty cruises aboard The Pat II during her 100th Birthday Celebration on May 18th are now on sale! Thirty-minute tours during the party featuring: 🎉Sarah Wiles recounting tales from when The Pat II was a tour and mail boat on Skaneateles Lakes for Mid-Lakes Navigation 🎉Don Quant presenting the history of steamboats on Keuka and across the Finger Lakes. 🎉 Will King from The Greyton H. Taylor Wine Museum at Bully Hill Vineyards talking about wine history and the connection to the lakes 🎉And our very own Ed Wightman sharing stories about the restoration of The Pat II and what it took to get this special boat back on the water! Plus - your specialty tour includes access to wine & beer garden tastings at the party ($10 value - with proof of 21+) FLBM Members: $30 Not-yet-members: $34 Head to our website for tix or go to https://bit.ly/3Qndoy5

Cold out there? It's summertime in here! We all have a bit of cabin fever right now... cure yours with a visit this weekend! Immerse yourself in Boating history and warm weather vibes!

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