Interlaken Historical Society - Our Museums, Collections & Displays

Farmers’ Museum

The displays at the Farmers’ Museum include items from all aspects of 19^th century farming. Starting small with two rooms when the Museum opened in 1991, the Farmers’ Museum now has four rooms telling the agricultural story.

Hinman Building Museum

First opened to the public in the 1960s, the Historical Society Museum on the 2^nd floor of the historic Hinman Family Home houses our collection of domestic articles. This includes over 2500 cataloged items, in addition to 3,300 photographs and glass plate negatives. Many of these items are used both in rotating displays and on-going displays about life in the Village of Interlaken and surrounding areas.

Collections

Among the thousands of items in our collection we have historic documents from the late 1790s to the present day, books, flags, Indian artifacts, early American tools for home and farm, clothing from many generations, dolls, and military items. Items not on display are available to aid in research. Shown below are a few of the Indian Artifacts from the area. This exhibit is used by the local Scouts in their study of Indian Lore.

Photographs & Index

The collection of over 2,200 photographs and 1,100 glass plate negatives have been indexed by topic and description. Topics include agriculture, buildings, churches, hotels & inns, houses, streets & roads, lake scenes and pictures of individuals to name a few.

Exhibits

2005 exhibit: Visit the Ladies Hat Shop, Meet Painter and Photographer Arch Chadwick, Learn about John Chadwick and his cantata based on the story of Joseph, we even have one of the original 1890s costumes. For something a bit more current, travel to Europe in the 1960s with tickets, menus and other wonderful memorabilia.

2004 exhibit photos

Photos from past exhibits:

Other Displays

Two recent window displays show off larger items from the Historical Society collection, including items loaned to the Society by a local collector.

Donations

The Mission of the Interlaken Historical Society is to:

· establish, maintain and operate museums and a research room for the promotion of local and area history.

· collect and preserve items and books of historical, literary and artistic interest to our community

· publish articles, pamphlets, periodicals and works of historic or literary significance to our area.

· encourage the use of our facilities and resources for research.

· promote the dissemination of historical information through modern technology.

· carry on activities usually associated with a historical society, particularly relating to the history of southern Seneca County and the community of Interlaken.

In order to carry out that Mission, the Interlaken Historical Society needs your help. Do you have pictures of places, events and the people of Covert, Interlaken and southern Seneca County? Do you have memorabilia of events, or pieces of history that you feel should be stored and displayed in a place where others can appreciate and learn from them?

When the Historical Society received a 1930 wedding gown, we were allowed to copy this picture of the bride on her wedding day. Having as much information about a donated piece will make it easier for us and future generations to interpret the piece more fully.

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