Take a trip with me to the Manlius Museum

Cheney House Research Center - Manlius Museum 

The Manlius Museum and Cheney House Research Center

Settled in 1794 the Town of Manlius was once part of the Central NY Military tract and was actually much larger than it is today.  Located at the point where the Great Cherry Valley Turnpike met with the Seneca Turnpike, the village of Manlius grew quickly.  The village of Fayetteville, located within the town, grew its commerce and population with the introduction of the Erie Canal.

Famous residents of the Town of Manlius included Matilda Joslyn Gage, Civil War General John J. Peck and President Grover Cleveland, though it is most likely remembered today as the home of Stickley Furniture.

The Village of Manlius was the first actual Village in Onondaga County,  dating to 1813; it still contains a number of historic buildings,  including Christ Church, the first church structure that is still standing in Onondaga County.

Today the Manlius Historical Society is preserving the rich history of the Town of Manlius.  The society was founded in 1976 during the time of America’s bicentennial, something that caused a number of small towns to reach out to their historic past and search for a way to preserve it for future generations.

The strong community commitment of Manlius has made it possible for the society to grow and to become an important educational focal point for the area’s history.

The society has two buildings: the Cheney House, which is reserved for historical research, and the adjacent Manlius Museum, which has changing displays on the area as well as a functioning blacksmith shop.

The society has a professional staff and a very involved volunteer base committed to keeping the organization a relevant part of the community today.

This year’s featured Exhibit is titled MOXIE: Women in the Military and Life in Our Community During Both World Wars.

The museum, located  at 101 Scoville Avenue in the Village of Manlius, is open Saturdays, May through October, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Tours are available anytime upon advance request. For more information visit our website at www.ManliusHistory.org.