Farmers' Museum

The Farmers' Museum is an agricultural history museum in Cooperstown with over two dozen authentic historic buildings, including a tavern, farmstead, printing office, pharmacy, and blacksmith shop spread across the grounds. These buildings are carefully arranged to show how people lived and worked in rural areas during the 1800s.

The site began as a working farm in 1813 under James Fenimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans. It became a public museum in 1944 and has since gathered a large collection of agricultural tools and artifacts.

The Empire State Carousel displays New York heritage through hand-carved figures crafted by over 1,000 volunteers using an original 1947 mechanism. Visitors can admire the detailed handwork that went into each horse figure and decorative piece.

The museum sits on State Highway 80 and is easily accessible by car with ample parking available on the grounds. Visitors should prepare for uneven paths between the historic buildings and wear comfortable shoes, as access to some structures is limited.

The museum houses the Cardiff Giant, one of the most famous attractions from the 1800s that was originally presented as a mysterious archaeological discovery. This remarkable exhibit still draws visitors eager to learn the story behind this controversial artifact.

Location: Village of Cooperstown

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Phone: +607.547.1450

Website: https://farmersmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 42.71236,-74.92972

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44