The 1890 House Museum
The 1890 House Museum
4.5
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Explore 15,000 square feet of four floors within the Wickwire Residence in Downtown Cortland, NY. The grand limestone Chateauesque style mansion, built by industrialist and local philanthropist Chester F Wickwire and designed by architect Samuel Burrage Reed, features parquet floor, jewel-like stained glass windows, oak and cherry woodwork, and ornate decorative stenciling. The 1890 House Museum is part of the Historic District in the City of Cortland and ongoing restoration projects are returning this architectural treasure to its historic splendor. Come visit us and wander through our restored period rooms, view our changing exhibitions, and attend our special programs and events.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
61 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
16
Average
1
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Scouternurse S
New York City, NY647 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Sadly many areas inside and out, need repair; the docent didn’t even have to point it out so often. Walls, ceilings, molding.
That aside, the docent was knowledgeable and friendly. The tour took us thru all four floors and lasted a bit over an hour.
I think young children would become restless on the tour.
I felt the steep price of $24 was overly not worth it but we wanted to do something while in the city and this came highly recommended; we can only hope that the admission goes towards their repair drive.
That aside, the docent was knowledgeable and friendly. The tour took us thru all four floors and lasted a bit over an hour.
I think young children would become restless on the tour.
I felt the steep price of $24 was overly not worth it but we wanted to do something while in the city and this came highly recommended; we can only hope that the admission goes towards their repair drive.
Written July 16, 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.
Kathleen M
Ithaca, NY93 contributions
Oct 2020
Very disappointed by the Spirits in the Castle tour. I regret that we gave it a try- and we left soon into the tour when we realized there was no way for over 30 people to safely distance from each other while crammed into a tiny room in the basement. And while we were asked to register for potential contact tracing, the bottle of hand sanitizer at the front desk was empty when we arrived (and we were the first to arrive.) While I'd like to return to take a regular tour (and David shows himself to be a knowledgeable tour guide), the outside company doing the Spirit Tour was not being responsible--it was obvious that they were more interested in packing people in and making their nut than people's safety.
Written October 24, 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.
Charles C
Naples, FL195 contributions
Sep 2022
What a great place to visit! We were lucky enough to be the only couple on this tour. The guide was very thorough and informative about every room in the house and answered every question we had. The ground level rooms are beautifully appointed with mostly original furniture and decorations. The upper floors are still undergoing some restoration. The basement has an interesting exhibit about the Wickwire family business. The house is a gem not to be missed if you're in Cortland.
Written September 27, 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.
Pam R
Geneva, United States2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
This house does not disappoint! Three floors of fully furnished rooms filled with period pieces. The admission fee was money well spent as our guide went above and beyond to give us an amazing tour. We were dazzled by the stunning interior and fascinated by the local history. I apologize if I have remembered the names wrong (there was so much to see and process) , but thank you Stacey and Richie Ann for a wonderful afternoon!
Written January 8, 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.
Kay7979
Western NY405 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I'm so glad we had a chance to tour this historic home. The house is marvelous, and the docents do a great job of pointing out its unique architectural features. Chester Wickwire invented woven wire, resulting in a host of useful products from screen windows to chicken wire, things we take for granted today. After the official tour we had time to explore the home at our leisure, including the small museum/displays in the basement. Well worth a stop if you're in the area.
Written October 22, 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.
Bob R
2 contributions
Mar 2022
Our favorite part was the Fern Room and the inglenook fireplace. The tour guide was very personable and knowledgeable. We learn quite a bit about the local history, it was very interesting to hear about how they invented a way to make metal screening.
Written May 28, 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.
Ted S
1 contribution
Jul 2022
Takes you back in time. Steve was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He was like speaking with a family friend. Yes, the place needs repairs, but that is all the more reason to support this worthwhile project. The mansion is a gem from the "Gilded Age". The tour helped make the old place come to life. The entire experience makes this a highly recommended visit.
Written July 31, 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.
Alison P
Wyomissing, PA625 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
The 1890 house was built for the man who invented "screens". He called it "wire cloth". The home is well maintained and there is some renovation work being done. The pieces in the home, if not original, are period pieces. The young lady who gave us the tour was well prepared and was willing to answer any questions we had. There are four stories to the home and a basement - all are accessable. The view from the fourth floor is quite nice. The stained glass windows were exceptional and the woodwork was amazing.
Written January 28, 2013
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.
Crystal F
New York, United States12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
The 1890 house is a hidden gem in Cortland! We came upon it by chance and was immediately enchanted. We opted for the guided tour for $8.00 a person. It was WELL worth the price. Steve was our tour guide and his love and interest in the history and home shone through the entire 1 hour+ tour. I have done many a house tours and Steve was by far one of the best. He not only answered all my questions (I have a lot) but he was also able to share personal antidotes about the Wickwire family that made the tour so much better. The home itself features beautiful original details and (some) original family furniture. Stain glass is in almost every room as well as gorgeous wood moldings and several unique features to the home! What makes the tour so special is you get to see four levels of the home. And once the tour is done you can linger at your leisure! If you level an hour away - no worries its worth the drive! Make it a daytime "date night" you wont be disappointed!
Written August 14, 2015
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.
geminigirlNewYork
Lisle, NY606 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
If you like touring mansions, then this is a must see. Its is in excellent shape and beautifully done in elegant decor. You can tour the entire house and the grounds. Its was very reasonable to get in and you get a senior citizen discount if it applies to you. You can tour by yourself or with a guide. We went by ourselves and had no problem learning the history of the home. There is a beautiful solarium and dining area on first floor and a statue that used to be in the front yard adorns the entry way inside the home upon first entering. Take a close look at the front door and the beautiful stain glass work...its very detailed and beautiful. The house has been investigated by ghost hunters and featured on tv for being haunted. They do halloween tours and hold a seance at Halloween for an additional fee. It makes the house even more interesting!
Written January 2, 2014
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.
Are you not open today?
Hi! We are open Thursdays-Saturdays from 11am-5pm, as indicated on our website. Guided tours are available at 1pm and 2:30pm, and self-guided tours are available anytime during our open hours.
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Claim your listingThe 1890 House Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The 1890 House Museum
- The 1890 House Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Thu - Sat 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near The 1890 House Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Lynne Parks '68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House
- (0.06 mi) 7 Valley Motel
- (0.21 mi) Imperial Motel
- (1.21 mi) Hampton Inn Cortland
- (1.64 mi) Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Cortland
- Restaurants near The 1890 House Museum:
- (0.12 mi) Frosted
- (0.16 mi) Hairy Tony's
- (0.12 mi) The Rock Sports Bar And Grill
- (0.14 mi) Cortland Diner
- (0.12 mi) Calios- The Calzone King
The 1890 House Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 40 |
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Very Good Reviews | 16 |
The 1890 House Museum Photos | 79 |