Welcome to
Howland Farm Museum!



History happens outside of the book



Current events & updates



Honoring Two Row!





Howland Farm Museum encourages courageous action towards healing our region's traumatic past and creating

an authentic future for the Finger Lakes.

Please check out this petition, sign and share!


change.org/WellsLandBack

It's Tea Time!





Reserve your spot for tea, and join with community who go beyond memorializing the hard won achievements of our past, by actively continuing the conversation and fight for more humanitarian victories!


info & RSVP

Museum Expansion!





Howland Farm Museum is excitedly awaiting a (hopefully) favorable judgement, which would make it possible to finally purchase an additional 8 acres of original farmland!


more info

Museum focus





Howland Farm Museum explores the evolving trends of agriculture in Cayuga County, through the lens of Augustus and Phebe Jane Howland, during their residency here from 1832 to 1887.


Visitors can tour the original grounds and view outbuildings of the homestead, while discussing whatever questions peak their own interest directly with the museum creator and learning about the process of "Making a Museum!"


In the future, uncover what daily life was like for both the Howland family and the tenant families who worked the land. Using primary source Agriculture Censuses, the crops grown and animals once raised on the Howland farm will be replicated for a hands on, interactive experience of a 19th century farm, with one small, but unique and revolutionary twist: the museum is embraced by a sanctuary space, so the animals will be living freely as opposed to consumer products.



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Agricultural Transitions



The agricultural focus of the 6 decades of Augustus and Pheobe Jane's residency is bookended by early development of this region following the Revolutionary War and the major technological advancements in farming during the World Wars, leading to the industrialized agriculture system we are physically surrounded by today.



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





1779 Sullivan-Clinton Campaign



This major campaign of the American Revolution holds a prominent position in the museum's exhibit because it seems that it is not a historical event that is commonly known or fully understood. NYS and Cayuga County continues the legacy of colonialism by ignoring or avoiding the historic truth of this genocidal act against the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ. Howland Farm Museum believes the past must not be swept under the rug, but confronted, in order to move forward in a positive path for everyone.



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ



Howland Farm Museum is located on Lot 149, a plot surveyed out of the original Cayuga East Reservation in 1789, the same year it was formed to create a space for the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, or people of the swamp, to continue their way of life and culture.


The overwhelming absence of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ in this region is due to genocide and it is time the FULL history is accurately told. Howland Farm Museum explores the colonialism that has continued for 250 years and encourages visitors to also take time to visit the SHARE farm up the road to learn directly from traditional Cayuga in their journey of preserving their culture and heritage.



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Tourism



The tourism boom began in earnest as soon as the Erie Canal was completed in 1825. In Cayuga County today, tourism is the No. 1 economic industry, with agriculture No. 2. How has tourism shaped this region over the last 200 years? In what ways has tourism been a positive impact and how has it continued to reinforce pathway of exploitive colonization?



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Transportation & Economy



Transportation had a significant role in developing this region's economic potential and agricultural industry.



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Quakers



Quakers were some of the earliest settlers in this immediate area. Why did they move to the New York "frontier" from developed New England? What impact did they have on this area?



Interdisciplinary Topics of Interest:





Howlands



Augustus Howland is descended from the younger brother of the infamous John Howland, who was the boy who fell off of the Mayflower! Augustus married a very distant cousin, Phebe Jane Howland, who was the first cousin of Emily Howland. There are so many Howlands and relations. Are you somewhere in this big tree???



more than a museum!



Participate in something you love, or try something new with the diverse offerings of activities and events at Howland Farm Museum!



nature center



Howland Farm Museum choses to embrace and restore wildlife

habitats instead of replicating early 19th century trends of denuding

the land and over-consuming resources.


We can learn about the past, without repeating it's detrimental

choices and actions.


This property is a sanctuary for all life: plants and animals.


Howland Farm Museum supports biodiversity, wildlife conservation

and ecological restoration.


We are a member of Lake Friendly Living in the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and have applied for the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat.


Environmental programming, such as Edible Plants, Bird Identification & Calls, and Wetland Gardens, Star Gazing, Tree Identification and more are being organized!!




arts & culture venue



Howland Farm Museum encourages creativity and expression through all disciplines of the arts!


The local community and visitors to the area are invited to participate in the enjoyment of or active creation of art, music & culture!


In the past, guests have enjoyed:

The REV Children's theater outdoors on the lawn.

Soda Ash Six and lively dixie land band music.

Simmerin' Stew playing toe tapping blugrass.

Christmas music by members of the Auburn Chamber Orchestra.

Movies shown outdoors on the Big Barn Screen!

Various arts & crafting activities.


And there are more ideas in store for the future!

Check out Community Events to see what is coming up!


The Calendar is updated when events are added, as is Facebook and Instagram!




fitness on the farm



Spending time in Nature is healing.

Scientific study recognizes this connection.


Howland Farm Museum fosters healing lifestyles by offering mental, physical, emotional & spiritual fitness opportunities for the community in the beautiful outdoors!


No matter your skill level, you are welcomed and applauded for showing up!


Nature Yoga currently has two different classes, June - Sept.


The 5 or 15 K Fall Fitness Challenge, where you choose your distance and choose your mode of fitness is a choose-your-own fitness challenge for anyone!


Go to Community Events / Annual Events for more info!



Come Discover



something new!



History
is made in the present





Howland Farm Museum
1395 Sherwood Road
Aurora, NY 13026

© 2018 - 2025