Founded in 1896, the Oswego County Historical Society has preserved and promoted the history of the greater Oswego area for more than 100 years.

In 1946, the historical society received a generous gift of a historic 19th century Italian Villa to serve as the permanent head quarters for a public museum.

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the Richardson-Bates House offers a unique glimpse of the lifestyle of a wealthy and  prominent Oswego family, as well as a museum dedicated to interpreting the history of the people and places in Oswego County through exhibits and educational programs.

Please visit to learn more!

  • Museum

  • The Richardson-Bates House was built in two stages as a private residence for Maxwell Richardson, a local attorney, real estate broker and two-term mayor of Oswego. In 1867, Max commissioned Rochester architect Andrew Jackson Warner to design the Tuscan Villa style residence for him and his family. The opulent interior decor reflects the 19th century Victorian fascination with art, culture, education and history.

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  • Admission

    • Adults – $8.00


    • Students & Seniors – $5.00


    • Children (6 – 12) – $3.00

    • Children Under 6 – Free


    • OCHS Members – Free


    • Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

  • Video

Exhibits

  • The House

    The Richardson Bates House is one of the most intact house museums in New York State with opulent furnishings, artwork and architectural details from the Victorian era. Shown is the drawing room designed by the Pottier and Stymus Company of New York City in the late 1860's.

  • Temporary Exhibit

    "Women Who Made A Difference": Five panels on loan from the Local History & Genealogy Division, Rochester Public Library, describe Central NY Women who fought for Women's Rights. With our enhanced exhibit on Dr. Mary Walker, we explain her rlationship to the suffragette movement centered in Rochester and Seneca Fall.s

  • Permanent Exhibit

    Oswego County History timeline traces the people, events, agriculture and industries of Oswego County from our Native American heritage to the 20th century.

Seneca Falls History Bus Trip

History Bus trip tour of historic sites in Seneca Falls, New York on Wednesday, July 10. It will leave Oswego at 8 a.m. from the Fort Ontario State Historic Site parking lot at 1 E. Fourth St.. Returning at 4:30 p.m.
$65 per person for an all-inclusive tour covering bus transportation, entrance fees, and a catered lunch at Parker's Grille.
Stops will include:
Women’s Rights National Park Museum
Wesleyan Chapel site, where the First Women’s Right Convention was held in 1848
The home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
National Women’s Hall of Fame
Seneca Falls Historical Society housed in a lavish 23-room Queen Anne style mansion, with several original period rooms and local history displays

The bus tour is open to the public. Due to limited bus seating pre-registration with payment to OCHS is required in advance by cash, check or credit card.
Contact the Richardson-Bates House Museum for reservations by phone at 315-343-1342 or by email at ochs@rbhousemuseum.org.

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