Seward House Museum
Seward House Museum
5
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
We invite you to visit the Seward House Museum, the historic home of William Henry Seward; New York State Senator, two time New York State Governor, US Senator, and Secretary of State during the Lincoln and Johnson administrations. Our knowledgeable staff is on-hand to provide guided tours, helping you navigate the many fascinating aspects of this beautifully preserved home. Enjoy masterpieces of American art and special exhibitions in both the historic house and the museum’s gardens.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
405 reviews
Excellent
332
Very good
62
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, KY1,985 contributions
Sep 2020
This was one of the most fascinating historic house tours I have taken. The docent was energetic and passionate about the man, the house, and the stories. That added value to the tour for sure. Emily was the best! And the house is structurally authentic with 99% of the furnishings original to the family and life of William Seward. There is a small parking lot behind the house; otherwise, parking is free on the weekends or a nominal fee during the week. The price is reasonable.
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We think Emily is the best too! Thank you for your visit and your feedback.
Written September 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bonefxr
Rochester, NY51 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
A minor issue with scheduling the tour since the hours were slightly different than on website. Staff was very accommodating! Excellent guide.The nice thing about this is the small group size,allowing for questions . There is alot here and you benefit from reading about him before visiting. The facilty needs additional work and better parking but the amount of original artifacts is amazing. Kudos to management and staff for bringing history to life...a must see for all ages
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your visit and feedback!!
Written August 28, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonp
Nevada City, CA8 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
A 2 hour tour, excellent in these ways: the docent guiding the tour was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and helpful with questions; Seward was instrumental in the northern response in the Civil War as a right hand advisor to Lincoln and a world-renowned influential diplomat; and Mrs. Seward together with Harriet Tubman seriously supported the Underground Railroad Ave abolition—helping give birth also to the women’s and other suppressed minorities’ rights movements . And without Seward Alaska wouldn’t be a part of America! The house is just filled with pictures of critically important world figures, marvelous furniture, and objets d’art from throughout the world. A must-see tour.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for this feedback. We are glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written November 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,861 contributions
Oct 2021
Our experience was heightened by our tour guide (I think a retired teacher). She is an incredible historian. The home furnishings are mostly original to the Seward and Millers. Would have loved to have had afternoon tea with Mrs. Seward, Harriet and Martha in the parlor. Learn more about the planned assassination and the purchase of Alaska. Grateful for Fanny Seward keeping such a detailed journal.
Written January 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jesseMN
Savannah, GA201 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Educational, architecturally and historically interesting. The docents bring the mid 1850's and 60's to life. There is something for almost everyone here and well worth the time spent if exploring the abolitionist trail in Central NY.
Written April 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottl055
Fair Lawn, NJ37 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Out of the way Museum that is a must see. Re-Learning one of the greatest men in American History. Plus the museum holds items that really belong in the Smithsonian, but yet are here is this quite place.
Written May 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Rochester, NY2 contributions
Sep 2020
Went to the Seward House for the first time today and had an excellent experience. Our guide was Jeff. He spoke with great attention to detail and amazing energy and passion. Nothing like a great tour guide to make history come to life. Bonus, there was a very interesting additional exhibit on Harriet Tubman. We could have stayed another hour in addition to the hour and a half tour.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your visit! We agree, Jeff is amazing and always brings his enthusiasm and passion for all things Seward to his tours!
Written September 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
robred2016
Chautauqua, NY48 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We were all excited to see the Seward home, however, due to COVID their days/hours are shortened. So be sure to check their website before you go, the hours on TA aren’t accurate.
We were able to see the outside and grounds which are unfortunately a little tired looking. Definitely in need of some funding but a fun outing nonetheless.
We were able to see the outside and grounds which are unfortunately a little tired looking. Definitely in need of some funding but a fun outing nonetheless.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit and your feedback. We have only been open for a few weeks and have focused much of our energy on COVID safety for our visitors. We offer tours Thursday-Sunday, by reservation only at this time. You are correct that the gardens are a bit tired as funding this year had to be directed to retain our staff and to purchase many additional COVID related supplies. We do hope that you can make a reservation and visit us in the future!
Written September 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marie F
Buffalo, NY72 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Jeff and Sharon rocked this tour. So much history in this beautiful house. The tour was about an hour 15 minutes and we had time to self-tour after. Underground Railroad stop in basement was a bonus. This tour was well worth the money and the time!
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helios5356
chesapeake159 contributions
Oct 2021
We are historic house buffs. This one struck us as remarkable. Five star power as it appears that the good family Seward just stepped out for a walk, and will be right back. You are in an intact home from centuries ago. One can hear the horses' hooves on South Street in the glow of the gas streetlights.
It's fun to match up the old timey 1800's photos. The furniture is in the same spot in the rooms. Seward's cigars are still basking in the humidor in the dining room.
Ask for Sam Dance as your guide. He is passionate about the house and added extra info about the history of women's rights, abolitionists and world politics. The family was deeply involved in human rights.
Allow two hours to soak in this treasure trove of the 19th century.
It's fun to match up the old timey 1800's photos. The furniture is in the same spot in the rooms. Seward's cigars are still basking in the humidor in the dining room.
Ask for Sam Dance as your guide. He is passionate about the house and added extra info about the history of women's rights, abolitionists and world politics. The family was deeply involved in human rights.
Allow two hours to soak in this treasure trove of the 19th century.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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