Slide 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.

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  • 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

    Bicycling History in Oswego featuring a painting by Don Gillespie and Norman Bates's bicycles

  • 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.

Celebrate with us the 125th Anniversary of the founding of the Oswego County Historical Society and the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Richardson-Bates House Museum!

The Anniversaries we celebrate this year are 125 for the Historical Society and 75 for the Museum.

The Annual Meeting which will be Sunday June 27 at 1:30 PM in the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street in Oswego.

Justin White, Oswego County Historian, will present a lecture on the Founders of the Historical Society and the family who generously donated the building that now houses the Historical Society and museum.

For up-to-date information, follow us on Facebook at Richardson-Bates House Museum call OCHS at 315-343-1342.

The Museum on Facebook