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Founded in 1906, the Warwick Historical Society is one of the oldest in New York State. The society operates nine museum buildings, three of which are completely furnished houses: the 1810 House, the 1760 Shingle House, and the Ketchum House. There is also Baird’s Tavern, which was built in 1766 and features an 18th century tavern room where George Washington, John Adams and many of the other early colonialists stopped in
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But perhaps the focal point of Warwick is the Old School Baptist Church, built in 1810. This beautiful old structure, with its wine-glass pulpit and barrel ceiling, sits like a jewel in Lewis Park on Main Street. It was purchases in the 1950s when, believe it or not, people were trying to tear it down and put up a parking lot. After being lovingly restored, the church is opens for visits, weddings and once-a-year religious services. A new addition to the Society’s collection of museums is the Union AME Church.
Three of the buildings will be highlighted this year because the Society is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the 1810 House, the Ketchum House and the Old School Baptist Church. Many hands are working to keep those buildings in a condition that will allow them to continue to showcase the history of our lovely Village.
It’s hard to believe that this small community offers so much of historic interest, including a 19th century doctor’s office complete with an old operating room, an Erie-Lackawanna caboose set on its original tracks, and the sly barn, an 18th century barn filled with old farm equipment and carriages. There are plenty of events as well,
including the George Washington Day Picnic and a winter concert series. In Warwick, you are face to face with history every day.
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