Group Tours

• Beauty of Art and Nature Tour
• Path to Freedom Tour
• The Safe Haven Museum & Education Center
• Ye Olde Shopping Tour
• Harborfest Senior Celebration
• Fishing in Oswego County Catches World Records
• First NYS Underwater Diving Preserve in Lake Ontario
• Agricultural Tours in Oswego County
• French and Indian War

Start your day by viewing the breath-taking Salmon River Falls in Orwell. Bring your camera to capture this cascading 110-foot waterfall. Overlooks are available. Enjoy the serene beauty as you walk along the trails. The trail to view the falls is handicapped accessible. Kiosks are in place to point out pertinent facts. The rock making up the cliff of the falls is called Oswego Sandstone. Sandstones are usually very hard and cannot be easily washed away. The rocks at the bottom of the falls are called Pulaski Shale. Shales are made of mud and silt which easily erode. Over time, the soft shales erode away, leaving the hard sandstone and creating the waterfall.

After the falls, you'll travel to the Salmon River Fine Arts Center in Pulaski to view a wide range of professional artwork from local artists. The gallery is open year round. You may want to visit some of the quaint and vintage shops nearby.

The Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism will be happy to provide you with lunch menus from area restaurants so you can choose what your group would enjoy.

After lunch, you'll visit the Selkirk Lighthouse in Port Ontario. It's accessible by land and provides a great photo opportunity. A representative of the lighthouse can explain its historic significance to your group with advance notice. It was constructed in 1838, and was officially de-activated twenty years later. In 1979, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, it was reactivated. Currently, the lighthouse is rented to the public to help subsidize its restoration. It has 2 floors and 4 bedrooms. The gift shop features lighthouse replicas, souvenirs, and books. Traveler's guides to lighthouses are sold there.

Then you'll travel to Mexico to view "La Guerre D' Independence", depicting America's War of Independence. This historic mural was made in France and is one of only two in existence. The other is on display in the White House in Washington, D.C. The multi-colored woodblock scenic of 32 strips is on permanent display in Mexico Academy and Central School.

Now it's time to relax at Ashley Lynn Winery in Mexico, where you'll sample homemade apple wines that won medals at New York State Fair's wine competition. The Hurlbut family is proud of a 40-year history of making fine apple wines. While you're there, shop for specialty food items, gifts, plants, and flowers.

For additional information including attractions throughout Oswego County, area accommodations and dining, contact the Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism.

According to historians, approximately 1,500 slaves escaped southern plantations each year and came north to seek freedom through the Underground Railroad. Oswego County residents became involved in the fight to end slavery in the years before the Civil War. Some provided assistance to African-American slaves by hiding them in their homes or helping them find transportation to Canada. There were slaves that settled in Oswego County. During your tour you'll hear unique stories that are a significant part of local and national history.

Dr. George Franklin Grant was born in Oswego in 1846 and invented the golf tee. Grant received a patent for the golf tee in 1899; the blueprint for today's wooden and plastic tees. He is a descendant of Tudor E. Grant, who escaped slavery to settle in Oswego in the 1830's. He continued to live in Oswego until the 1860's working as a barber and a silk-dyer.

You'll have the opportunity to hear the story of the Grant family and underground railroad activities in Oswego when you visit the Oswego County Historical Society located at the Richardson-Bates House Museum. The Society's education outreach program "Tudor E. Grant: From Fugitive Slave to Oswego Businessman" has been selected for inclusion in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

You'll have lunch in the building where Tudor E. Grant and former slave Charles Smith operated barbershops in the basement. Now the building has been converted to King Arthur's Steak House.

Following lunch, you'll travel to Bristol Hill Church in Volney. During your journey on the path to freedom, a step on guide will point out some of the 34 documented underground railroad sites in Oswego County. At Bristol Hill Church actual letters written by slaves will be read. The church incorporates original wainscoting, windows, and carved lintel. It has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was constructed between 1832-36. The church was proud to have both black and white members, many of whom were active in the freedom movement.

At Arena's Eis House in Mexico, there'll be a special presentation of area underground railroad sites followed by dinner. In Mexico, NY, Orson Ames sheltered famous fugitive William "Jerry" Henry for one night in October 1851. By rescuing Henry in Syracuse, white and black abolitionists successfully challenged the ability of the federal government to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and helped make Central NY a haven for freedom seekers. Noted lecturer, Asa Wing who promoted equal rights based on a biblical belief in equality resided in Mexico. Following dinner, tourists will compete for prizes in a special game of Jeopardy, testing your knowledge of the underground railroad in Oswego County.

Depending on your site of departure, the tour may be customized for your convenience.

The Safe Haven Museum and Education Center is located at the only site in the United States where refugees from the Nazi Holocaust were given shelter. They came from 18 war-torn countries, all managing to stay one step ahead of the Nazis during World War II and make their way into Italy by 1944. These holocaust survivors were transported to the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter in Oswego, N.Y. in August of 1944. Nearly one thousand refugees were housed at the shelter for the duration of the war. As "guests" of President Roosevelt, the refugees stayed in Oswego for eighteen months. After the war, President Truman signed an executive order that allowed the refugees to remain in the U.S. For the museum, the refugees have provided first person accounts of their experiences, and their many accomplishments afterwards.

Your day begins with a tour of Fort Ontario State Historic Site, that recreates how the officers and soldiers lived between May 1868 and April 1869. A guided tour of the fort and a military demonstration can be arranged with advance notice. Following the tour, your group can enjoy lunch at an area restaurant.

After lunch, you'll view the forty-minute documentary, "Safe Haven: A Story of Hope," in the Faust Theatre. You'll hear a first-hand account of the Holocaust survivors' lives during World War II.

Following the documentary, you'll tour Fort Ontario grounds where the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter once stood. A step-on guide may be arranged to point out the various buildings and sites that are significant to the story of the shelter, and explain pertinent historical information.

Your tour of Fort Ontario grounds ends at the new Safe Haven Museum and Education Center that documents events from the perspective of the Holocaust survivors, and their neighbors in Oswego. The site of the museum is a century-old building that served as the administrative headquarters for the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter. The building is listed on the state register of historic buildings.

You'll end your tour at the H. Lee White Marine Museum, where you'll discover the rich maritime history of the Port City of Central New York. While there, visit "LT-5," the last remaining tugboat from the Normandy invasion of World War II, and "Lance Knapp," the last steam powered vessel on the Barge Canal.

More History

For information on area restaurants and lodging, contact the Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism ¾ they will be happy to customize an itinerary for your group.

Oswego County offers unique shops that are privately owned and operated. They provide one-of-a kind merchandise in a variety of shopping environments.

Shop and relax at SallyeAnder Soaps/Gifts/Café. SallyeAnder Soaps are sold in approximately 3,000 locations around the world, and are manufactured in Oswego County. Karen and Gary Austin began making the soap 18 years ago when their son was born with severe allergies, and there was nothing on the market that was right for him. Now everyone is benefiting from their soaps. SallyeAnder Soaps were purchased by the Olympic International Committee for the 2002 Winter Games, and were distributed to the athletes and media. While at the shop, you'll find a variety of unordinary gift items to choose from. SallyeAnder Café is dedicated to providing exclusively organic shade grown coffee and offer freshly baked scones, cheesecake, brownies, and biscotti.

Meet the Willow Creek Farm Alpacas. Over a dozen alpacas will be there to greet you. Items made from luxurious alpaca fiber include alpaca yarn, capes, scarves, hats, gloves, plus cuddly teddy bears and finger puppets. A spinning demonstration shows how the fleece is transformed into yarn. If you like, you can learn about the alpacas, while en route, with a brief video presentation. Also, the farm features homemade maple syrup.

Ozzies Antiques & Country Co-op is a beautiful 1740's Farmhouse with 17 rooms of merchandise featuring dealers specializing in antiques, folk-art, primitives, kitchenware, birdhouses, and many garden amenities. Browse their perennial gardens and pond. Relax in the Country Victorian Tea Room and Veranda.

Don't shop till you drop. Stop for lunch before continuing the Ye Olde Shopping Tour.

North Wind Yarns & Weaving Co. has a weaving studio with 10 to 15 looms of all sizes. Weaving demonstrations can be arranged with advance notice. They have an expansive inventory of yarns, equipment, accessories, and reference materials for the knitting, spinning and weaving enthusiast. Finished products sold include hand knitted sweaters, caps and mittens from Scotland, along with hand woven rugs, scarves, blankets and table linens. Finished products can be ordered and delivered.

Get ready to be overwhelmed at Harbor Towne Gifts, featuring the largest selection of collectibles in Upstate New York. Christmas decorations are available all year long.

Sample homemade apple wine at Ashley Lynn Winery, receiving medals for taste and appearance at the New York State Fair wine competition. The Hurlbut family is proud of a 40-year history of making fine apple wines. Ashley Lynn Winery is part of Leon's Farm Market featuring fresh produce, cheese, plants, flowers, and gifts.

"This is the most beautiful spot in America" Willard Scott, NBC Today Show Broadcast live from Harborfest '93

The award-winning festival has received four International Festivals and Events Association Pinnacle Awards, has been recognized twice as one of American Bus Association's Top 100 Events in North America, plus an I Æ NY award for one of the 12 Best Values in Family Getaways.

The Harborfest Senior Celebration takes place in picturesque Fort Ontario Park, Friday afternoon during the festival. Enjoy big band music and swing dancing. Seating will be provided for your group with advance notice. Rain or shine, enjoy the shows under a spacious tent that allows an unobstructed view. At Fort Ontario Park you'll be able to shop for high quality crafts. Food vendors are located adjacent to the tent. For your group's convenience, Harborfest will provide food tickets in advance so there is no need to stand in line for them. The Park itself provides the perfect background scenery overlooking Oswego's Harbor and the historic West Pierhead lighthouse.

During Harborfest, the Heritage Foundation of Oswego Antique Show & Sale gives you the opportunity to browse among a large variety of quality antiques. The morning of the celebration, you may choose to tour the new Safe Haven Museum and Education Center, Fort Ontario State Historic Site, or visit the H. Lee White Marine Museum.

The Safe Haven Museum and Education Center is located at the only site in the United States where refugees from the Nazi Holocaust were given shelter. Nearly one thousand refugees were transported to the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter in August of 1944. Oswego was their home for eighteen months until World War II ended. For the museum, the refugees have provided first person accounts of their experiences, and their many accomplishments afterwards. Fort Ontario State Historic Site recreates how the officers and soldiers lived between May 1868 and April 1869. A guided tour of the fort and a military demonstration can be arranged with advance notice.

H. Lee White Marine Museum is located at the mouth of the Oswego River. The paintings, pictures, models, and artifacts take you back to the 17th century and down through 300 years of incredible history to the present. See the "Lance Knapp," the last steam powered vessel on the Barge Canal, and the "LT-5," the last remaining large tugboat from the Normandy invasion from World War II. LT-5 was named a National Historic Landmark in 1992 due to the heroic action of her crew on D-Day.

In addition to the treats the food vendors provide, you may want to schedule lunch at one of Oswego's waterfront restaurants. As you relive memories, were sure you'll be making memories of good times with good friends.

The Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism will be happy to customize an itinerary for your group.

Ten world and state record fish have been caught in Oswego County, earning it the reputation of "The Fishing Capitol of the Northeast!" Whatever your fishing pleasure - steelhead, chinook or coho salmon, bass, or walleye ¾ you'll find ample places to fish year round including the Oswego, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers; Sandy Pond; Oneida Lake; and Great Lake Ontario.

Oswego County holds four New York State fishing records, and is among the top State Great Lakes' counties to sell non-resident fishing licenses. Each year, thousands of anglers and their families travel to Oswego County to find salmon, trout, walleye, bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and panfish.

Oswego County has many charter captains and river guides available to accommodate group tours. The Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism will be happy to provide you with a list of them. Each captain or guide hosts up to five passengers.

The Salmon River Visitor's Information Center in Pulaski provides tourist information so you can get the most out of your stay in the area. Following is a sample of attractions you'll find nearby:

The Salmon River Hatchery in Altmar produces about four million trout and salmon each year. Informative exhibits, including mounted and live fish, introduce visitors to fish hatchery operations and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Great Lakes Management Program. Depending on the time of year, visitors may observe fish swimming into the hatchery, the egg taking process, and fish tagging.

The Salmon River International Sportfishing Museum in Pulaski features a historic collection originally on display at the former Gladding Corporation's museum. The collection features valuable hand made antique fishing rods, reels, lures, rare paintings, and books. See original historic prints used for famous magazine covers such as Outdoor Life. It has a significant library of old and new books, including "The Treatyse of Fysshnge" by Sister Juliana Bernersin, believed to be the first book written of sport fishing. You'll never have to wonder about the history of sport fishing again. They're open year round.

Salmon River Falls in Orwell is breath-taking. Bring your camera to capture this cascading 110-foot waterfall. Overlooks are available. Enjoy the serene beauty as you walk along the trails. The trail to view the falls is handicapped accessible. Kiosks are in place to point out pertinent facts.

The Selkirk Lighthouse was erected in 1838 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse, accessible by land, is located at the mouth of the Salmon River in Port Ontario. Currently, it is rented to the public. It provides a great photo opportunity and gift shop for lighthouse replicas, books, and souvenirs. A representative of the lighthouse can explain its historic significance to your group, with advance notice.

The Pulaski Historical Society has developed a self-guided tour of the Village of Pulaski including the Historic District, an exceptional collection of 19th century commercial architecture and the restored H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse. The society has a museum located on the site of the original John Ben Snow Homestead. Special exhibits, photographs, maps, and street scenes depict the village's history.

The Salmon River Fine Arts Center in Pulaski features a wide range of professional artwork from local artists. The gallery is open year round.

For additional information including attractions throughout Oswego County, area accommodations and dining, contact the Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism. They'll be happy to customize an itinerary for your group.

Oswego County is proud to have New York's first official dive preserve in Lake Ontario, featuring the wreck of the David W. Mills.

The wooden steam freighter David W. Mills was travelling westward on August 11, 1919 when a dense smog made navigation hazardous. The captain ordered the ship to stay within sight of the lake's southern shore. 4 1/2 miles east of Oswego, the Mills ran aground on Ford Shoal. Attempts to free the freighter failed, and she broke apart in a violent storm.

Divers can see several prominent pieces of the ship including the anchor, winch, engine, keel, propeller, several pieces of machinery, and large hull sections that are strewn over 700 sq. ft. Your underwater adventure will show you the various fish inhabiting the shoal.

New and experienced divers are welcome. Ontario Dive of Phoenix will be happy to take your group on a day of diving to see the David W. Mills and other nearby shipwrecks. A guide to the wreck of the David W. Mills is available through the Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism.

For information on lodging and area restaurants contact the Oswego County Department of Promotion and Tourism, they will be happy to customize an itinerary for your group.

The following farms provide an educational and entertaining experience:

Beckwith Family Christmas Tree Station in Hannibal will make your holiday special. Visit the Christmas Caboose for fresh wreaths, greens, handcrafted ornaments, and unique gifts. The Whistle Stop Workshop will customize wreaths for you and conducts classes in holiday decorating. All aboard the warming car for refreshments. Choose among ten different varieties of Christmas trees. Enjoy a wagon ride to the fields to make your selection, or choose a fresh tree on display. Trees range from two to fourteen feet, and free shaking, baling, and drilling are provided. Shipping of trees and wreaths is available to any of the 48 mainland states. Beckwith Family Christmas Tree Station is located approximately one mile North of Hannibal Village on Mill Street. Follow the signs from Route 104. Group tours are available year round. For more information call (315) 564-5479.

Behling's Orchards in Mexico has hayrides on the weekends and a corn tunnel for children. You can pick your own apples. Other items available include wine, pumpkins, Indian corn, cider, and maple syrup. Behling's Orchards is located at 114 Potter Road. They're open from September through November, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (315) 963-7068 or 727-4784.

Fruit Valley Orchard in Oswego makes their own non-alcoholic fruit juices. You can pick your own apples. Other items available include pumpkins, cider, and maple syrup. Fruit Valley Orchard is located at 507 Bunker Hill Road. They're open mid-September to the end of October, Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information call (315) 342-3793.

Grampa Bob's Animal Park in Mexico has over 40 species of domestic and exotic animals and birds. All animals and grounds are fully inspected and approved by the USDA. They have a modern tubular playhouse and two plastic hill slides, over 270 feet in total slides. They are located on Valley Road. Take Route 104 East, turn left onto Route 11 North, travel 1 mile, turn left onto Tubbs Road, travel 1 mile, then turn right onto Valley Road. They are open mid- May to the end of October, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (315) 298-2347.

Granger's Tree Farm in Mexico has many varieties of Christmas trees plus wreath-making demonstrations. Children can enjoy a hayride as they view 80,000 Christmas trees. They'll learn how the trees are grown, and how to identify the different varieties. There's a barnyard petting zoo where the children can feed a dozen different animals. Granger's Tree Farm is located on Tubbs Road. At the intersection of Routes 104 and 11 travel North two miles from Mapleview, then take the first left onto Tubbs Road. They're open to the public, Thanksgiving to Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. School group tours are conducted throughout the year. For more information call (315) 963-3480.

Hemlock Haven Tree Farm in Sandy Creek offers one stop shopping for your holiday and gift giving needs. Enjoy a wagon ride to select your tree or choose among the pre-cut trees. Varieties include Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, and White Spruce. Santa Claus will be there to greet you, the first two weekends in December. Complete your holiday decorating with wreaths, boughs, and garland. Get your shopping done at the gift shop, open year round. Shipping of gifts and wreaths is available throughout the U. S. A florist is on the premises to serve you all year long. Hemlock Haven is located at 460 County Route 22A. Travelling North on Route 81, take exit 37, turn left onto Harwood Drive, turn right at the stoplight onto Route 11, go one block and turn left at Sandy Creek Big M onto Route 22A. To schedule a group tour or for more information call (315) 387-5553.

Leon's Farm Market & Ashley Lynn Winery in Mexico has an antique cider press on display. Fresh cider is pressed on the premises. They are known for their homemade apple wine. Other items available include plants, flowers, pumpkins, Indian corn, and cheese. Leon's Farm Market & Ashley Lynn Winery is located at 4142 NYS Route 104. They're open from May until January, seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (315) 963-3262.

Maple Help Stock Farms in Mexico have been making maple syrup for 93 years. The third generation of the Hurlbut family produces fresh maple syrup, maple cream, and maple sugar on order. The dairy farm has been in operation since 1906. There are over 100 head of cattle on the farm, including milk cows and calves. They have 19 varieties of u-pick apples to choose from. Apples are available from mid-August through the end of February, and kept in refrigerated storage. Maple Help Stock Farms is located at 207 Hurlbut Road. Products are available year-round. You must call ahead at (315) 963-7558.

Ontario Orchards presents an educational program for children on apple farming. The students have the opportunity to pick their own apples. The program takes place weekdays from mid-September through mid-October. The annual Fall Jamboree provides tractor-drawn wagon rides along with many children's activities. On weekends, u-pick apples during the fall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ontario Orchards u-pick operation is located on Mc Neil Road, Sterling. For more information call (315) 343-6328.

Phoenix Flower Farm has over two acres of landscaped gardens. They specialize in perennial plants. There are many ponds on the property, and wildflowers are in bloom in the spring. Students can learn about hybridizing plants, and the difference between wild and cultivated flowers or plants. They are open April through October. The farm is fully accessible for guided group tours, please arrange in advance. They are located on Lamson Road, west of Phoenix, between Routes 48 and 57. For more information call (315) 695-6777.

It's been approximately two hundred and fifty years since the French and Indian War was fought in areas of Oswego County. The French and British struggled for control of North America on the water routes through Central New York. Roads and highways didn't exist only water routes and rough Indian trails. The City of Oswego was an important colonial harbor on the Great Lakes, and had three forts: Fort Ontario, Fort Oswego, and Fort George. A fort was built at the falls of the Oswego River in Fulton, guarding the land to the next navigable waterway. Fort Brewerton was built at the west end of Oneida Lake.

As you travel just north of the Oneida River, at U.S. Route 11 and county Route 37, you can see the remains of Fort Brewerton, the best-preserved archeological site of its type. The Iroquois burned down the fort immediately following the war. While there, you can visit the Fort Brewerton/Block House Museum. Oliver Stevens built the Block House during the French and Indian war, and it was re-built by the Fort Brewerton Historical Society near the original site. The museum has Native American exhibits, antique tools, Civil and Revolutionary War artifacts, a painting of the original fort and several artifacts from the Stevens family.

The fort located at the falls of the Oswego River in Fulton was built to the same specifications as Fort Brewerton in 1759. The fort was unofficially known as Fort Bradstreet. In July 1756, only one officer and his troops traveled from Oswego to the Mohawk Valley. That was Colonel John Bradstreet who successfully fought off French-Canadian militia and Indians along the Oswego River north of Fulton. You'll learn more about what happened in Fulton during the war at The John Wells Pratt House Museum operated by Friends of History in Fulton.