Richardson-Bates House Museum

10/26/2026

Wonder and awe! Can you see it in their faces?
Gretchen Fronk’s creative writing class from the Oswego High School were invited to find inspiration as they were given a tour of the Richardson-Bates House Museum. They “walked back in time” at the Gilded Age mansion and saw exhibits and artifacts of Oswego County history.
Some students wanted to know more about military history, Native American history or the history of technology such as photography from stereoscope slides to cell phone images.
They got small group tours led by Meg Schneider, former OHS English teacher, Mary Kay Stone and Museum assistant Jacob Maloney and then were allowed to start their writing, exploring individual topics.
Amy Rapin, OHS Work Based Learning Coordinator, took and shared these pictures.
Please tag photos and share!
Follow our page for more stories about how we bring history to life at the museum!

10/24/2026

We were honored with a visit by the American Legion state commanders, organized by Heather Stevens, Commander of the Central Square American Legion Post #915 and also Historian of the town of Hastings and village of Central Square. They visited Fort Ontario, the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, laid a wreath at the Fort Ontario Post Cemetery and then stopped in to see our exhibit on Dr Mary Walker‘s Medal of Honor.
Left to right: Ray Lawson, Brenda Lawson (Os. Co. Aux President), Thomas Schreck (Dept of NY Commander), Lora Rowe (Dept of NY Auxiliary President), Ed Hooke (Dept of NY SAL Commander), Shawn Mills (Os. Co. 2nd VC), Heather Stevens (Oswego County Commander), Tyler Mills (Legionnaire), Willis Howe, and Cassandra Fawcett (Dept of NY 5th & 6th Dist VC)
Oswego County Historian's Office
Fort Ontario
Safe Haven Museum and Education Center

10/22/2026

Thank you, National Medal of Honor Museum and Oswego County News Now, for sharing and highlighting Dr. Mary Walker's story this month! Your admission to our museum includes a guided tour and plenty of time to linger in our permanent exhibit space to see Dr. Mary Walker's medal. We're open Thursdays - Saturdays 1-5 PM, April through December!

The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, is honoring town of Oswego native Dr. Mary Walker, the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, ahead of her

10/22/2026

Sunday’s tea was tea-riffic! Thank you everyone who joined us for savory sandwiches and sweets galore. We loved hosting you and sharing a pot of tea and great conversation. Special thanks to our volunteers who spent the weekend transforming the parlor into such a beautiful space plus baking and prepping all the food in Christ the Good Shepherd’s commercial kitchen. 🫖☕️

10/16/2026

A behind-the-scenes photo: These tea cups and saucers are the ones we will use at Sunday’s tea! We look forward to setting the table and welcoming you there. Tickets are close to sold out!

10/15/2026

Classic Movie Night is here! As you arrive, you may be in for a fright! 😱The lobby has been transformed for the big night. Show starts at 7 pm! 🔪👻

10/14/2026

Good morning - We can’t wait to see you at “Psycho” on Thursday! The marquee will look even more amazing that night all lit up and with everyone entering the lobby.

10/12/2026

The American Cruise Line excursion guests yesterday were avid history lovers! Docents Eva Corradino, Meg Schneider, and Nancy Wi******er toured groups around in the morning and the afternoon, and Eugene Ossa sat at the foot of the stairs to talk history with people who couldn’t climb to the second floor. They were interested in the history of the area, the house, and Dr Mary Walker, of course, and asked a lot of questions.
This was the last cruise stop of the season and we look forward to more next year!

H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego
Fort Ontario
American Cruise Lines
Oswego County Tourism

10/10/2026

October is American Archives Month!

Since 1999, the Society of American Archivists have celebrated this opportunity to educate the public on archives nationwide. OCHS is a member of the Northern New York Library Network (NNYLN) and are featured in a recent North Country Special Collections Collaborative post (https://nnyln.org/)! Please check out the National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/american-archives-month) and Society of American Archivists (https://www2.archivists.org/) webpages for more information including why archives are so important! OCHS has a research library with books, maps, records and all other archival material you may need so please reach out on our website if you are looking to do Oswego County related research!