South Cell Block
The Wayne County Historical Society operates The Museum of Wayne County History located at 21 Butternut Street Lyons NY in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, just a short walk up from Erie Canal Lock #27. As a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, our 600+ members and business sponsors support our mission to preserve and present the history of Wayne County and the surrounding area.
The museum is housed in the former Wayne County Jail and Sheriff's residence, built in 1856 and used until 1961. Tour the 10+ room home now used for gallery space, with the 24 cell blocks still attached to the back. Learn the stories of the inmates housed at the Wayne County Jail, their life-size portraits featured behind the bars. See the original artwork on the cell block walls from the more talented inmates housed here in the late 50's. The two story barn is also available to tour-weather permitting. In addition we maintain a reference library comprising over 1,000 volumes and an archive that includes maps, photographs, personal documents and business records. If you have a love of maps come join us once a month for our newly formed "Map Club", call for details(315-946-4943 or info@waynehistory.org).
Our professional staff and the strong support of our volunteers help make us an invaluable educational resource in Wayne County.
It is the mission of The Wayne County Historical Society:
> To encourage an appreciation of the history of Wayne County
> To disseminate historical information about Wayne County and the surrounding area
> To preserve the heritage of the area and help individuals explore history and its meaning
in relation to their lives
The museum is housed in the former Wayne County Jail and Sheriff's residence, built in 1856 and used until 1961. Tour the 10+ room home now used for gallery space, with the 24 cell blocks still attached to the back. Learn the stories of the inmates housed at the Wayne County Jail, their life-size portraits featured behind the bars. See the original artwork on the cell block walls from the more talented inmates housed here in the late 50's. The two story barn is also available to tour-weather permitting. In addition we maintain a reference library comprising over 1,000 volumes and an archive that includes maps, photographs, personal documents and business records. If you have a love of maps come join us once a month for our newly formed "Map Club", call for details(315-946-4943 or info@waynehistory.org).
Our professional staff and the strong support of our volunteers help make us an invaluable educational resource in Wayne County.
It is the mission of The Wayne County Historical Society:
> To encourage an appreciation of the history of Wayne County
> To disseminate historical information about Wayne County and the surrounding area
> To preserve the heritage of the area and help individuals explore history and its meaning
in relation to their lives