Welcome to
Howland Farm Museum!



Experience History outside of a book



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 outbuildings of their homestead,

and 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!



Interdisciplinary Areas of Focus





Agricultural
Transitions



The agricultural focus on the 6 decades of

Augustus and Phebe Jane's residency is book-ended by exploration of the early development of this region following

the Revolutionary War and the transition to modernization of farming between the two World Wars.



Interdisciplinary Areas of Study





Transportation
& Economy



Discover how the rapidly changing means of

transportation in the 1800's affected growth and

development of the agricultural economy.

Did the transportation change to meet economic demands or

did the economy evolve based on new methods of travel??



Interdisciplinary Areas of Focus





Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ



Howland Farm Museum recognizes that it is located on lands

which were inhabited by the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ for centuries

and that these Indigenous peoples were displaced by

Sullivan's Expedition during the Revolutionary War.

Moreover, Howland Farm Museum exists on the former

Cayuga East Reservation, which was originally created for

the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ to maintain their residency and ways of life.



Interdisciplinary Areas of Focus





Quakers in Cayuga Co.



Learn about the beliefs, principals and connections of the

large community of Quakers who settled in Cayuga County.

Augustus purchased the farm from fellow New England Quaker, Thomas Lapham and then sold a small piece of his land to build a Quaker meeting: the Brick Church on Brick Church Road.



Interdisciplinary Areas of Focus





Howland Family History



Augustus Howland is descended from Henry Howland, the

younger brother of Mayflower passenger John Howland.

Augustus married his distant cousin, Phebe Jane Howland,

who is a first cousin to abolitionist & suffragist, Emily Howland.

Unravel the Howland web and share if you are related!



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 will be offered starting in 2023!




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:
up close and personal





Howland Farm Museum
1395 Sherwood Road
Aurora, NY 13026

© 2018 - 2022