The Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center is currently in its "off-season"
The Museum Season for visitors to come at their leisure and view the exhibits on display at the Hugh White Homestead in the Northside Historic District is the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October.
Does this mean that the building puts up a big "CLOSED" sign and everybody comes back in May?
No way!
Most "off-season" times for small places like the museum are actually the busiest time of the year! There's a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes on to make sure everything is all set and ready for the upcoming museum season. The director is on site Mon-Fri from 10am to 3pm just as in the museum season if you're looking to get in touch with the museum.
Here are just a few of the things that go on "off-season":
Upcoming Exhibits planning, research, design, writing, display, set-up, and promotion
Collections care and updates for researcher accessibility - we're online now!
Facility updates and care to get ready for the spring/summer
Canalways Educational Program coordination(partner with NYS Canal Corp, Waterford Canal & Towpath Society, Erie Canalways National Heritage Corridor, & Town of Waterford)
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| Another thing that goes on during the "off-season" are occasional art shows displayed for one month only! |
We're always looking for any volunteers to take part in these efforts so if you're looking for a way to give back to the community, please don't hesitate to contact the museum to learn more about how you can be involved. There are volunteer internships available to gain experience in a museum setting and for college credit.
Does this mean that you've missed your chance to stop by?
Well....that's a yes and no.
YES, you've missed your chance to view the main exhibit that is a temporary exhibit. Our temporary exhibits are only on display May-October.
You might be able to see it at the museum's Wine & Cheese event (December 7th for 2018) which is usually the very last day that the exhibit will remain out on the floor. If you can't make it during the season or to the Wine & Cheese, unfortunately there is no way for you to be able to view these past exhibits aside from what is available on the museum's website for past exhibit information.
AND
NO, you can still come to the museum for our permanent exhibit and to use our research library. An appointment is required at least a week in advance.
The permanent exhibit is open year-round for tours - including group tours - but only for select days and times. The museum asks that you try and plan your visit Wed-Fri between 10am and 3pm. The usual fees of $6 adults and $5 children/seniors apply.
The O'Connor Research Library & Archive is also available year-round, but to use this resource - whether during the museum season or the off-season - you must have an appointment. This helps the director be able to prepare for your visit and make sure that time can be given to help assist you in the best way possible. This room is only available Tues-Friday 10am to 3pm and a fee of $5 if you take any pictures on your own (yes, even with your phone, which is hard to not do today...I'm just as guilty of taking pictures of documents that I think might be important so that I can read them later to see if I can use them rather than exercise my speed-reading skills at the library/archive...)
Which leads into the next question -
What about visits outside the hours listed?
Unfortunately, the museum cannot accommodate any visitors outside of the hours listed above. This is especially so for the O'Connor Library and visits over the weekend. |
| WHMCC in winter during our "off-season" at 2 Museum Lane |
Any tours scheduled outside the regular season - due to a limited staff - may be subject to change or cancellation. Please keep that in mind when scheduling to visit the museum - or any place in its "off-season".
Most educational places that are "closed" will do their best to be able to accommodate you either by answering questions as best as possible or trying to work out a time that fits best for everyone's schedule. But sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day or enough hands on deck during the off-season to be able to open up our doors and resources.
If you happen to stop by the Waterford Historical Museum and decide to just give our doorbell a ring on the off-chance, you'll probably be disappointed. It's not on purpose!
If the museum can open up for you, it will definitely be done. It's always great to have people exploring the history that we have loaded onto the walls of the museum - seriously, there is a lot packed away in these rooms.
But please keep in mind that it's not always easily done - meetings and other tasks that aren't done during the museum season to allow for visitors to receive our undivided attention in case you would like a tour and/or have questions about the exhibits or just need to know where the bathroom is....they're typically packed into the off-season and can't always be rearranged easily.
All proceeds from these programs and events go directly towards caring for the collection of historical items, documents, and photographs that are stored and displayed at the museum, and for the museum's daily operations to continue to preserve and teach the history of Waterford, NY.
To sum up with an easy list, here's what to remember about the Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center's "off-season":
- Yes, the museum is definitely still around during the "off-season".
- If you happen to stop by, you aren't being purposefully ignored if you're turned away ("it's not you, it's me" sort of situation) - we ask that you please keep in mind that "off-season" tasks and operations are scheduled for this time of year and walk-in visits most likely will not be able to be accommodated.
- The reason we have these "off-seasons" unlike larger institutions open to the public for visits at any time during their regular hours throughout the year (the NYS Museum for example), is because there is not enough staff and time to do so AND to prepare the next upcoming exhibit while doing all those other behind-the-scene tasks vital to operating a museum.
- You can still get in touch with the museum, as the director is in the building during the week. You can contact the museum at 518-238-0809 or email us at info@waterfordmuseum.com
- You can schedule a visit to the museum's permanent exhibit Wed-Fri between 10am and 3pm - it is dependent on the availability of the director, so the museum asks you to make your reservation a week in advance and to be aware of the possibility of the need to reschedule or cancellation of your visit (which the museum will always work to avoid if possible). Fees for the museum are $6 adults $5 children/seniors (65+)
- You can still make use of the O'Connor Research Library & Archive - an appointment is always required, regardless of open or off-season when you'd like to visit. Hours are Tues-Fri only, from 10am to 3pm. Fee of $5
- Group tours are also available at the museum - during the "off-season" they are limited to the permanent exhibit. Group rates are $5 per person
- Programs and special events are presented during the museum's "off-season"
- You can join the museum as a member at any time of the year
- Volunteer opportunities are available at the museum year-round: Board of Trustees is in need of members and is a very active board that is involved in museum activities and operations
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