Saturday, May 25
11:00 a.m. until gone

Chicken BBQ

Come and get your delicious Gale-Wyn Caterers chicken BBQ with choice of macaroni salad or cole slaw, plus salt potatoes and a roll. This event benefits the Yates County History Center. Presale tickets are available $9.00 for full dinner and $7.50 for chicken only. Presale pick up until 12:30 only.

Saturday, June 15
1:00 p.m.

Narcissa Prentiss Lecture

​Narcissa Prentiss was born in Prattsburgh, Steuben County, went on to marry Marcus Whitman and become one of the first non-Native American women to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1836.  Their trip and settlement in Oregon opened the west for additional settlers.  The Narcissa Prentiss House, located on County Road 75 in Prattsburgh, is preserved and open to the public by appointment.  

​Sandy Conley will explain the long journey, and the influence the Whitman’s settlement had on the eventual division of Oregon Country between England and the U.S.

​The lecture will be held at the L. Caroline Underwood Museum and Admission is $8.00 for YCHC members and $12.00 for non-members.  A portion of the proceeds will go to the preservation of the Prentiss house.

​For more information, call the Yates County History Center at (315)536-7318.   This event is a Path Through History I Love NY event, one of hundreds planned throughout NYS.  

Friday, June 28
starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending
after evening banquet

and

Saturday, June 29
starting at 11:00 a.m.

Speak to the Light: Two Centuries of Women's History in the Finger Lakes

Please join us for a conference commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the death of Jemima Wilkinson, the Public Universal Friend, with a celebration of women's history.

The first day of the conference, to be held at the Hampton Inn in Penn Yan, will include: Public Universal Friend, portrayed by Anita Gaston; Dr. Paul Moyers, author of the Public Universal Friend; Dr. Melissa Grube on Lucretia Mott and the influence of Quaker women on the women's rights movement; Dr. Jenny Lloyd on Antoinette Brown Blackwell, the first ordained female minister in the US; Ganondagan Historic Site lecturer on the Haudenosaunee culture's influence on the women's rights movement; Marjory Perez on women involved in the Underground Railroad; and Peter Evans on the Fox Sisters and Spiritualism.

Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner on her anthology Women's Suffrage is keynote speaker at the evening banquet at Top of the Lake restaurant.

Saturday, attendees can view the permanent exhibit on the Public Universal Friend at Yates County History Center, enjoy a lunch at the museum and then embark on a bus tour of historic sites in Yates County, including women's suffrage sites.

The conference fee is $95 and includes three meals, speakers, museum admission and bus tour. Register by May 15 by calling 315-536-7318.

Saturday, July 6
10:00 a.m.

Penn Yan Main Street Walking Tours

Enjoy strolling down Main Street to hear about the delightful history of the village. Walk begins at the Oliver House Museum and proceeds to Main Street bridge and back. Wear comfortable shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 315-536-7318 for tour information.

Friday, July 12
Saturday, July 13

Yard Sale

We are now accepting donations for our big two-day fund raiser, during regular hours. Call the office at 315-536-7318 to make arrangements for pick-up of large loads. Volunteer help is needed.

Tuesday, July 16
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Native American Storytelling with Ronnie Reitter

Experience the Seneca stories told at an outdoor lakeside bonfire. Bring your own blanket or chair for hillside seating, on the shore of Keuka Lake State Park, 3370 Pepper Road, Keuka Park. Park admission is free, donations will be collected for the Yates County History Center. This event is made possible by the Jerusalem History Group and a donation from Keith and Annette Toaspern. Rain date is Thursday, July 18th.

Saturday, July 27
10:00 a.m.

Penn Yan Main Street Walking Tours

Enjoy strolling down Main Street to hear about the delightful history of the village. Walk begins at the Oliver House Museum and proceeds to Main Street bridge and back. Wear comfortable shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 315-536-7318 for tour information.

Tuesday, August 6
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Native Americans in Yates County

David Schewe will deliver a lecture about Native American sites in Yates County, including new sites in the Town of Jerusalem recently researched, at Hunt Country Vineyards, 4021 Italy Hill Road, Branchport. A $5.00 donation is suggested to support Yates County History Center programming. Wine will be available to purchase.

Saturday, August 10
10:00 a.m.

Penn Yan Main Street Walking Tours

Enjoy strolling down Main Street to hear about the delightful history of the village. Walk begins at the Oliver House Museum and proceeds to Main Street bridge and back. Wear comfortable shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 315-536-7318 for tour information.

Saturday, August 24
10:00 a.m.

Penn Yan Main Street Walking Tours

Enjoy strolling down Main Street to hear about the delightful history of the village. Walk begins at the Oliver House Museum and proceeds to Main Street bridge and back. Wear comfortable shoes. In case of inclement weather, call 315-536-7318 for tour information.

Ongoing

Donate your refundable cans and bottles to our tote in the parking lot of History Center.  Every penny counts!  There is also a container at Two Can Dan’s refund center on Benham Street with our name on it!

Ongoing

Check us out on Facebook.  There are always old photos posted with fun recollections by friends of the History Center.   Find fellow history lovers and former residents of Yates County who have moved away.

Ongoing

The Oliver House Museum is open Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm year around.  Additionally, during July and August the museum is open Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm.

Ongoing

The L. Caroline Underwood Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm year around.  The administrative offices and the research center are located here.

Ongoing

The Scherer Carriage House is open Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm year around.

Ongoing

The Catherine Spencer Center for Genealogical and Historical Research at the L. Caroline Underwood Museum is open when the Underwood Museum is open.