Sainte Marie among the Iroquois

Sainte Marie among the Iroquois is a reconstructed French colonial settlement on Onondaga Lake's shore with authentic period buildings from the 1650s. The site includes a chapel, blacksmith shop, carpenter workshop, and other structures that show how residents lived during this era.

The mission began in 1656 when French Jesuits sought to establish connections with the Iroquois confederacy in this region. The settlement was abandoned after just two years in 1658 due to mounting pressures from surrounding groups.

The location reflects how French missionaries and Indigenous peoples shared this space through reconstructed structures and exhibits. Visitors observe how two worlds met in this short-lived settlement along the lake.

The site is accessible Wednesday through Friday and weekends during the warmer months, with guided tours available to help visitors understand the reconstructed buildings. Wear sturdy shoes since the grounds are uneven and sit along the lake's edge.

In March 1658, the French residents executed a carefully planned departure during a feast as tensions with nearby groups escalated. This swift evacuation ended the mission as abruptly as it had started two years before.

Location: New York

Inception: 1656

Website: http://onondagacountyparks.com/sainte-marie-among-the-iroquois

GPS coordinates: 43.09300,-76.19640

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:45