Who We Are
The Ulysses Historical Society is a self-supporting organization that receives modest donations from the Village of Trumansburg and the Town of Ulysses. However, most of its funding comes from member dues, fundraising events, the sale of local history books, and contributions from members, visitors, and memorial donations. The museum is open to the public on select days from mid-April through the first week of December, offering both permanent exhibits and new annual displays that highlight various aspects of the town’s history.
In addition to museum exhibits, the Society hosts meetings, lectures, slide shows, and special events that are open to the public. Among these are the annual spring luncheon, quilt shows, and guided tours of local historic sites. Each spring, the Society also offers guided tours of its exhibits to second-, third-, and fourth-grade students from Trumansburg. Members receive a quarterly newsletter, and the Society offers genealogy research assistance by appointment.
Our History
The Ulysses Historical Society was founded in April 1975 and received an absolute charter as an educational institution from the New York State Board of Regents in 1979. The society initially operated out of the basement of the Masonic Temple on Main Street in Trumansburg, moving into this space in April 1976.
In August 1996, Adrian and Richard Pearsall made a generous donation to fund the construction of a new building dedicated to their father, Adrian O. Pearsall, who had been a teacher, farmer, businessman, and school board president in Trumansburg. Following a public referendum on March 19, 1997, approval was granted to use a school lot on South Street for the new building. Groundbreaking took place on May 12, 1997, and contractor Jim Stevenson began construction shortly thereafter, making rapid progress.
On January 19, 1998, the society moved from its original space in the Masonic Temple to its new building.
Our Mission
The Ulysses Historical Society unites individuals with an interest in history, particularly the history of the Town of Ulysses and its surrounding areas. Understanding local history is seen as fundamental to our democratic values and fosters a deeper appreciation of our American heritage. The society's mission is to collect, preserve, and display materials that illustrate the area's history, including its exploration, settlement, development, and experiences in both peace and war. The society also showcases the region's growth in population, wealth, education, art, science, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and transportation.
The society's collections include a variety of materials, such as printed works like histories, genealogies, biographies, directories, newspapers, pamphlets, and posters; manuscript materials including letters, diaries, journals, rosters, and service records; and museum artifacts like photographs, paintings, portraits, aboriginal relics, and objects that represent life and events of both the past and present. These items are preserved and made accessible to anyone wishing to study them. The society also collaborates with local officials to safeguard historical records, archives, buildings, monuments, and markers.
To raise awareness and interest in the past, the society publishes historical materials in newspapers, organizes meetings featuring pageants, lectures, and discussions, and marks historical sites, buildings, and trails. Additionally, it utilizes radio and television to engage the public. The society also works with the state historical society to collect and prepare materials of statewide significance, making them available for study by students and scholars.