Become a Museum Member
BASIC BENEFITS for All Members:
- Free, UNLIMITED admission to the 1890 House Museum
- Individual Membership card, plus one complimentary admission pass for 2 guests
- 10% off discount at the 1890 House Museum Gift Shop
- Subscription to 1890 House Museum e-news
Entry Level Museum Memberships
Our entry-level memberships are the perfect place to start.
$35 – Student/Educator: ALL BASIC BENEFITS listed above, plus free admission for your student groups, as well as access to our research library with customized research assistance.
$35 – Senior: ALL BASIC BENEFITS listed above.
$50 – Individual: ALL BASIC BENEFITS listed above.
$80 – Dual: ALL BASIC BENEFITS listed above for two adults, plus one additional membership card.
$90 – Household: ALL BASIC BENEFITS listed above for two adults and their children under 18, plus two additional membership cards (one for immediate family use).
Enhanced Level Museum Memberships
Our next-level memberships are for those who plan to visit more often. These memberships include all BASIC BENEFITS listed above for two adults and their children under 18, plus one complimentary admission pass for 4 guests, three membership cards, as well as a subscription to and recognition in the 1890 House Museum e-news, and any additional items listed below for each category.
$150: Bronze (Frederic)
- All BASIC BENEFITS + Enhanced Level Benefits listed above
- 15% Discount at Museum Gift Shop
$200: Silver (Charles)
- All BASIC BENEFITS + Enhanced Level Benefits listed above
- 20% Discount at Museum Gift Shop
$300: Gold (Ardell)
- All BASIC BENEFITS + Enhanced Level Benefits listed above
- 20% Discount at Museum Gift Shop
- 5% Discount on event ticket prices
$500: Diamond (Chester)
- All BASIC BENEFITS + Enhanced Level Benefits listed above
- 50% Discount at Museum Gift Shop
- 10% Discount on event ticket prices
Business Enhanced Level Memberships
Each level is named for a business journey by Chester Wickwire – from the grocery store on Main Street in Cortland that he opened in 1865 with the help of his father Raymond, to the development of the hardware store with his younger brother Theodore, and finally, the opening of the Wickwire Wire Mills Factory, in partnership with Theodore, that stood for nearly 100 years.
Our business-level memberships are a great way to support the Museum. These memberships include acknowledgement and advertising in our 1890 House Museum e-news, plus the items listed below for each category. Just contact our staff if you would like to discuss adjusting the benefits offered to your own personal business needs.
The Grocery Store – $250
- 1 hour of FREE venue rental (includes museum space only)
- 10 complimentary admission passes for business employees or clients
The Hardware Store – $500
- 2 hours of FREE venue rental (includes museum and grounds spaces only)
- 20 complimentary admission passes for business employees or clients
The Factory – $1000+
- 3 hours of FREE venue rental (includes museum and grounds, plus carriage house)
- 10% discount for all business employees and customers on Museum memberships, 1890 House Museum Gift Shop purchases, and 1890 House Museum Events.
- A Wickwire Acknowledgement Plaque, awarded to you, for you to display prominently, plus recognition on the 1890 House Museum website.
Thank you to our Business Members!
Support Cortland's Landmark Building
The impressive collections found throughout the 1890 House Museum offer visitors the opportunity to step back in time to 19th century Cortland. The unique history within the walls tells the stories of the Wickwire family, their servants, and the factory workers who toiled in Wickwire Wire Mills Factory.
The museum strives to educate and inspire every visitor through diverse programming and exhibitions. With your help, this Cortland County landmark will be preserved for present and future generations.
OPEN HOURS
Thursdays - Saturdays
11 am – 4 pm
Sundays
12 pm - 4 pm
(C) THE 1890 HOUSE MUSEUM
SUPPORT CORTLAND'S HISTORIC BUILDING
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
What does the 1890 House mean to you?
Some say it is a jewel in our crown city, showcasing Victorian culture, as well as the Wickwire family’s legacy in our community. We agree, but as with any jewel, it needs great care and polishing. And for The 1890 House, that means upkeep and repairs to an ever-aging house.
Because of this, the current Board of Trustees has embarked on a $250,000 Capital Campaign.
We have identified three long-overdue projects and repairs that need attention:
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- "Carriage House" (Barn) including a new roof, window repairs, and painting;
- The 1890 House Exterior including stonework repairs and painting; and
- The 1890 House Interior including restoration, plaster work and painting.
Please consider donating in one of these categories or make your own suggestion and help to preserve this local treasure and much-loved Cortland landmark for many generations to come.
$25: Can of paint
$50: Various restoration supplies
$100: Stone Repair (a la “Buy a Brick”)
$250: 10 hours of labor
$500: Equipment Rental
$1,000: Restore a window
$1,500: Restore a stained-glass window
$2,000: Restore a wood floor
$2,500: Paint a small room
$25,000: Adopt a large room
SUPPORT OUR FRAMING THE PAST PHOTO PROJECT
Founded in 1975, and receiving its NYS Charter as a historic house museum in 1984, the 1890 House Museum boasts an impressive collection of photographs. These photographs document the lives of the Wickwire family and their friends from the late 19th century through the 20th century. When inventor & industrialist Chester F. Wickwire moved into his home on June 1, 1890, he photographed each room as it was. These photographs have now been digitally preserved by Roger Theise from Roger Williams Photography. Some of these interior photos had never been on view to the public before.