Homeville Museum

Homeville Museum The Homeville Museum is a part of the CNY Living History Center located at 4386 Route 11, Cortland, In the beginning, those items revolved around the Civil War.

The Homeville Collection

Ken Eaton purchased a Civil War rifle when he was a teenager and wanted to find out more about its past. The more he read about the Civil War, the more his interest grew. This simple pursuit of knowledge sparked a lifelong passion for history and the artifacts that go along with it. See Ken talk about this rifle and other aspects on his collection in this 22 minute YouTub

e video. Ken started going to auctions and estate sales and collecting the items that interested him. His collection grew from one small gun cabinet into two rooms of Civil War items displayed in the basement of his home. As his collection continued to grow, his interest in related items developed. His hobby branched out into collecting military items from World War I and World War II. Soon, his collection was spreading throughout his home. He started looking for a bigger house to live in with space to display all his items and share them with the public. He found the perfect location on Clinton Street in Homer and, after three years of renovations, he opened the Homeville Museum to the public on July 4, 1976, our nation’s Bicentennial. By then, the collection had expanded enough to fill twelve rooms in the new house and included model trains and local history items. He chose the name “Homeville” for his museum from the book David Harum, which was based on a banker from Homer named David Hannum. For the next 30 years, until his death in 2006, Ken shared his museum with thousands of people including school groups, community members and organizations, state and national leaders, and even visitors from foreign countries. He never charged an admission fee. His motivation was his love of history and his desire to share his passion and knowledge, hoping to inspire others to treasure our nation’s history as he did. Ken’s wish was that the Homeville Museum would survive him and stay in this area for the public to continue to appreciate and enjoy. With the opening of the CNY Living History Center in 2012, this collection was once again open to the public. The exhibit is a combination of items from Ken Eaton’s collection and new ones that are on loan or have been donated to the Museum. This website is intended to complement the collection and encourage you to come and see it in person. There are so many items that it’s impossible to see and appreciate all of them in only one visit. Additionally, displays are updated both in support of special events and annually (with some items moving on and off display).

Charlie has taken lots of photos for us at many Homeville and CNY Living History events over the years. Thank you Charl...
06/20/2026

Charlie has taken lots of photos for us at many Homeville and CNY Living History events over the years. Thank you Charlie, you deserve the Spotlight.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KnooXrVJL/

DVS Service Spotlight | Charlie Harrington
📍 Ithaca, N.Y. | U.S. Navy Veteran

You’ve probably seen his work. Now meet the man behind the lens. 📸

If you’ve attended a Veterans event in the Finger Lakes region, chances are Charlie Harrington was there: camera in hand, making sure the moment was remembered.

Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Navy and reported to Great Lakes for boot camp on November 14, 1963, going on to serve aboard the USS Newport News CA-148, a heavy cruiser and Flagship homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. Liberty calls at ports around the world sparked a lifelong love of photography — one that carried him all the way to a distinguished career as Senior Photographer at Cornell University.

After retirement, Charlie found himself missing the camaraderie of fellow Veterans. He joined Vietnam Veterans Of America New York Chapter 377 in 2013 and picked up his camera again — this time to give back. Today he documents Color Guards, Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, POW/MIA Watchfire observances, and Wreaths Across America at the NY State Veterans Cemetery - Finger Lakes.

In Charlie’s own words:

“I wanted to be around people that cared for others.”

The New York State Department of Veterans' Services is proud to spotlight Charlie Harrington — thank you for your continued service, sir! 🇺🇸🫡⚓️

Here's a collection of photographs recently donated to the Homeville Museum, showing a little-known aspect of the Second...
06/20/2026

Here's a collection of photographs recently donated to the Homeville Museum, showing a little-known aspect of the Second World War - building the Alaska Highway. Sgt. John Grabowski was a member of the 74th Engineer Company (Light Ponton), a specialized river-crossing and bridging unit of the United States Army. Activated in 1941, the unit gained historical prominence during World War II for constructing the Alaska Highway and supporting Allied river crossings across the Rhine.

06/18/2026
These three pictures from the museum's collection are something different. No local connection that we know of, they're ...
06/16/2026

These three pictures from the museum's collection are something different. No local connection that we know of, they're just an interesting moment in a bygone era - taken in 1929, they show Zeppelin rigid-framed airships (and one non-rigid blimp). The USS Los Angeles was taken as war reparations after World War I, the Graf Zeppelin was built a year before and was in commercial transatlantic air service in 1929.

These photos from the museum's collection were in an envelope marked "Vietnam - Fall 1965 around Saigon by Robert Messer...
06/15/2026

These photos from the museum's collection were in an envelope marked "Vietnam - Fall 1965 around Saigon by Robert Messerschmidt US Army". Does anyone recognize that name?

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ADnDieLze/
06/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ADnDieLze/

June 14: A Day of Service and Symbolism 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate two important parts of our nation’s history. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Army that would become the United States Army. Two years later, on June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the first official American flag.

As we honor the Army’s birthday and Flag Day, we remember the generations of Soldiers who have served under our nation’s colors and the freedoms that flag represents. Thank you to all who have worn the uniform, and to those who continue to serve today.

🇺🇸 Happy Army Birthday and Happy Flag Day! 🇺🇸

Address

4386 Route 11
Cortland, NY
13045

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(607) 299-4185

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Homeville Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Homeville Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category