5775 State Hwy 80
Cooperstown, NY 13326

The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown is much more than a traditional museum. As one of the oldest living history museums in the country, it provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience 19th-century rural and village life first-hand.

Founded in 1943, the museum touts a recreated country village and farmstead (circa 1845) encompassing more than 20 important examples of upstate New York architecture including a working blacksmith shop, print shop, pharmacy, general store, and tavern. There’s also an active farmstead complete with heritage livestock.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the magnificent Colonial Revival-style Main Barn was designed by famed architect Frank Whiting and built in 1917 of local fieldstone for the prize dairy herd of Edward Severin Clark. After completion, farmers and others traveled from miles around to see the impressive building and dubbed it “the cow palace.” The upstairs now houses an extensive collection of early agricultural tools and equipment. Downstairs, visitors find the famous Cardiff Giant–possibly the biggest hoax in U.S. history. In the former milking parlor, see the exhibit Brew: New York’s Craft Beer Revival, featuring objects and images highlighting the history of New York State brewing, hops, and barley up to the present day (on view through October 2021).

Website: https://www.farmersmuseum.org

Hours: Mid May through mid October: Open daily 10-5; April to mid May and mid-October-October 31:Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-4; Closed Mondays; November-March: Closed except for special events.

Special Instructions: None

Phone: 607-547-1450
Email: https://www.farmersmuseum.org/contact/

COVID-19 Protocols: – Everyone (age 2 and up) must wear a face mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.
– Social distancing is required in all areas at all times.
– Interpretation is presented outdoors.
– Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the museum grounds.
– Protocols are in place to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors.
– The total number of visitors on the grounds is limited for safety.

Buildings:
– Several buildings in the Country Village are closed.
– The Empire State Carousel is closed for riding.
– The tool collection (upstairs in the Main barn) is closed.
– The Lippitt Farmstead is open and its animals are accessible.

Please check website regularly as state guidelines are slowly changing.