Upcoming Activities:

April 28 Pot Luck Dinner/Antique Show & Tell
May 10 Mother's Day Tea

About Us

Phelps Community Historical Society (PCHS) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the study of life in greater Phelps and presents its history (past & present) in a variety of public programs and exhibits. We acquire and preserve objects and recorded information concerning the Town and Village of Phelps and have being doing so since 1969.

PCHS interprets life in Phelps through its museum and exhibits and offers a variety of programs and services to the general public. PCHS even provides downtown walking tours and group tour programs. Community events are also listed on the Calendar of Events.

PCHS maintains and interprets two historical buildings in the community of Phelps. The brick constructed, historic Howe House, became the home of the Phelps Community Historical Society in 1999. A two-story outhouse is connected to the HoweHouse, with entrances on both the first and second floors. Located on 66 Main Street, the Howe House is our main museum and there are both permanent and rotating exhibits including household and farm equipment. It is open to the public:

• 10 AM-4 PM on Tuesdays - Fridays throughout the year
• 10 AM -4 PM on Tuesdays - Saturdays during the summer season (June-Labor Day)  

The Howe House is even available for private use for parties, receptions and showers.

In 2005, PCHS acquired the “Country Lawyer’s Office”, a one-story red brick building with four white pillars. Built around 1835, this site became well-known after the best selling novel; The Country Lawyer was written in 1939 by Bellamy Partridge. For almost 40 years, Bellamy’s father, Samuel S. Partridge, practiced law in this building.  Currently this building is open by appointment only.  We are currently undergoing strategic planning to determine its long term use for visitors and the community. Phelps native, Mary Hicks Preston, purchased both buildings for the Phelps Community Historical Society.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of every program, service, exhibit and event at the Historical Society.  New volunteers are always welcome – a few hours really do make a difference!

Explore the history of Phelps

Community Call in Phelps

SEEKING STORIES, PHOTOS OR RECIPES
Phelps Community Historical Society is revisiting two favorite books: Phelps, Phacts, Phables & Pholklore and the cookbook, A Taste of Phelps . We are cordially inviting all readers, their family, friends and reader-to-be to send us new Phelps' related stories for this next Phelps volume. Take the time this fall and winter to gather your tales, photos, etc. and send them along to PHS. For all the cooks out there, we are going to reprint and add new recipes to A Taste of Phelps . This popular cookbook has been sold out for several years.

Please send your items in a digital format in MS-Word, works or a Text file. Email them to histsoc@fltg.net . Put the publication name in the subject heading. Or send typed copies to PCHS, 66 Main St. , Phelps , NY 14532 . Don't forget to provide credit, with correct spelling of names and any more information.

Community Exhibits in Phelps

Holiday Exhibit: Nutcrackers & Stockings
Beginning November 27 thru January 2008. 10 AM-4PM. Tues-Fri. at Howe House. Open to everyone. FREE.