The Historical Society Museum is located at 55 Cayuga Street in Seneca Falls, NY in a house with a long and varied history. The first structure was built in 1823 as a one room wooden house. Edward Mynderse , son of the early land developer Colonel Wilhelmus Mynderse , erected a two-story brick structure in the Italianate Style circa 1855 on the site. The building was part of a ten acre estate with carriage house, tool shed, vineyard, garden and orchard. The Mynderse Family lived there until 1875 when Mrs. Leroy Partridge purchased the house and began an extensive remodeling and updating that changed the two story dwelling into the three story,23 room, Queen Anne Style home that you see today. Architectural and decorative details which were added , include painted and stained glass windows, gas lights, carved fireplaces and the entire third floor. The mansion was sold to the Norman Becker Family in 1890 , who raised six children in the house. The Beckers lived there until 1961, when the Historical Society bought the building. The house as we see it today has undergone no major changes since the 1880's. It is a beautiful product of the late Victorian era and as such, is a marvelous document of Victorian lifestyle and culture.
The original Gothic Revival tool shed is now the "Bee Hive", a replica of a general store , located behind the house.
Also located in the back yard is the Town Clock that was once on top of the Hoskins Block and moved to the grounds by Texaco Oil in October 1968. The clock is a Seth Thomas #7 Tower Clock, designed by A.S. Hotchkiss and built by Seth Thomas Clock Co. of Thomaston, Ct. Dated November 26,1895, it is an eight -day, time only, weight driven clock. Through the combined efforts and generosity of many people and Gould's Pumps, the clock may still be enjoyed by many. It is powered by a synchronous gear-headed motor, driving through the clock mechanism, the old clock weights were removed and no other alterations were necessary. A dedication ceremony was held on October 16, 1970.
The first floor of the Historical Society shows a combination of the original furnishings of the house as the Partridge and Becker families lived here, as well as reproductions and decorations both complimentary to the time period and from historical events in Seneca Falls.
Upon entering the house, the front hall is the first room seen. To reflect it's purpose, the design was to be grand while at the same time appearing hospitable. The lighting and golden oak wood work are from the 1880 remodel. Along the walls hang prints and engravings of some historical subjects including the life of George Washington and the American Revolution.
The drawing room is the most formal room in the house, used only on special occasions. Originally two rooms connected by a pocket door, Mrs. Partridge wanted a larger room and architect James Cutler produced this result. The Brussels-type carpet, flocked wallpaper, carved woodwork, English tiles surrounding the fireplaces, the stained glass and the gasoliers are all original to the remodeling of 1880. Notice the naturalistic motifs of fruit and flowers, espcially sunflowers, found in the border of the carpet, the gasoliers, the stained glass, and various sections of the woodwork.
The tea service on the table in the drawing room was originally purchased for the White House by President Monroe from France in the 1820s. President Lincoln gave the set to William Seward his Secretary of State, who lived in Auburn, NY and who then gave it to Judge Gary Sackett. In the 1970's the set was donated to the Historical Society.
The library was a place where the men would gather while the women went to the drawing room to talk. Cigars and various games were enjoyed here. Today the library is used as a gift shop for the Historical Society where you can purchase information about the house as well as the history of Seneca Falls.
The family parlor is opposite the drawing room. It was an informal sitting room, where the family spent most of their time. The room may be closed off with pocket doors for privacy or to keep the heat in. An American Rococo Revival style parlor suite is the center piece of the room, as is true with this set, old drawing room furniture was often moved into the family parlor when a new set was purchased.
