Safe Haven Museum and Education Center

05/29/2026

On Thursday evening Museum President Paul Lear traveled to the Turin Public Library in Lewis County, NY and presented "Where the Holocaust Came to America: the History and Significance of the WWII Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter," to an appreciative audience.

05/27/2026

Located at 201 West First Street, the City of Oswego's Welcome Center opened for the season today. It contains exhibits, information, and promotional materials from tourist destinations, historic sites, historical agencies, restaurants, fishing charters, hotels, shops, and much, much more. Museum President Paul Lear and his wife Amy set up the traveling exhibit of the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, City of Oswego employees Gabby and Nichol placed colorful flowers in front of the building, and Oswego County Promotion & Tourism employee Jenn Torrese staffed the center.

05/24/2026

It's school group tour season at the Museum! NYS public schools mandate Holocaust instruction to combat antisemitism, develop empathy, and inspire students to act against prejudice. While the state sets curriculum standards, field trip mission statements depend depend on the specific institution organizing the visit.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Jo Beth Serling Lehrer of Liverpool NY visited the museum and met with museum President Paul Lear. Jo Beth donated a photograph of Austrian refugee Gerta Weininger to the museum. The photograph was taken near the old cinder running track by the main ball diamond. Jo Beth's mother, Jean Jackson, who lived on East Cayuga Street, befriended Gerta at the fence and passed food and other items over to Greta and her family (Hugo and Margareta Weininger). The barbed wire topped chain link fence is where the Holocaust came to America; it's where everyday Americans met the victims of the Nazi's and heard their accounts of flight, murder, torture, and years in hiding. In turn, Oswegonians like Jo Beth's family, became the first advocates for allowing the Fort Ontario Refugees to remain in the United States after the war in Europe ended. The Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum interprets the history and significance of the WWII Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter, and through the stories of 982 mostly Jewish refugees from 18 countries interned there, provides proof to deniers that the Holocaust did happen. Please share and visit!

05/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LD3nJpmkd/

05/11/2026

President Paul Lear attended the Company of Military Historians Conference in Saratoga Springs, NY (7-10 May) and displayed the museum's traveling exhibit. He distributed brochures, answered questions, and helped raise awareness of the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum and the only camp in the United States during WWII to house Jewish Holocaust victims. The annual conference featured speakers and exhibits by military historians and collectors from around the world, guided tours of the Saratoga National Battlefield Park, Fort Ticonderoga, and the NYS Military Museum with a special presentation by NYS National Guard Adjutant General - Major General Raymond Shields.

05/08/2026

In order to meet ADA code the broken lock and plate of the handicapped door has been replaced! Staff and volunteers with accessibility issues can once again unlock the door and enter the building using the wheelchair ramp. Thank you Rick!

Re: Memberships and donations help maintain the building, pay for heating and AC, essential supplies and equipment, printing, events, and much more. Remember to renew as the museum approaches its 25th anniversary next year!

05/06/2026

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2026/05/05/enhancing-security-at-oswego-holocaust-museum?cid=id-app15_m-share_s-web_cmp-app_launch_august2020_c-producer_posts_po-organic

View the Spectrum News story about improving security at the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum in response to increasing threats to Jews and Jewish facilities around tbe United States and the world.