The Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) invites people to celebrate the holiday season at the Richardson-Bates House Museum at 135 E. Third St. in Oswego. The group’s annual Victorian Christmas Open House runs from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. This year’s theme is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the first open house that took place at the museum in 1947. The event is free and open to the public.

“The historic Richardson-Bates House Museum will be fully decorated with remembrances of the special Christmas times that took place centuries ago,” said Justin White OCHS board trustee. “We welcome the community to join us in celebrating the holiday season in the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas.”

This iconic Tuscan Villa landmark was commissioned in 1867 by Maxwell Richardson, a local attorney, successful real estate tycoon, businessman, civic leader and two-term mayor of Oswego, for his family. They included his mother Naomi Richardson, sister Harriet Richardson-Bates and nephew Norman Bates.

This unique example of this style of architecture was designed by architect Andrew Jackson Warner of Rochester, N.Y. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and situated within the Washington Square Historic District in the city of Oswego.

The home’s opulent interior décor reflects the 19th century Victorian fascination with art, culture, education and history. With 90% of its original contents, the home remains one of the most intact house museums in New York State.

“The museum truly serves as the community memory bank,” said White. “It houses an incredible collection of artifacts, documents, manuscripts, photographs and more – all of which showcase the rich history Oswego County.”

In 1910, Norman Bates inherited the family residence as the sole heir of Richardson family estate. He moved in with his wife Florence (Morley) Bates and their four children: Betty, Norman, Jr., Sally and Maxwell Richardson Bates I. Florence Bates was the last surviving member to live in the house.

From the time she first moved in with her family, Florence loved to celebrate Christmas and hired local florists to fully decorate her home during the holiday season. She died unexpectedly and tragically on Christmas Day in 1945.

One year later, on the anniversary of her death, her surviving children decided that the family homestead would be gifted to the Oswego County Historical Society to honor their legacy in the community. The historic residence would be the group’s permanent headquarters and the first public museum in Oswego County.

Four generations of the Richardson-Bates family had been long-time members of the historical society and Florence was among the first group of women to become members. The Richardson-Bates family made the call to the president of the historical society after Christmas Day to give the ultimate Christmas gift, which was proudly and unanimously accepted by the society’s board of trustees. Together they were the founders of the very first historical and cultural museum site in Oswego County.

In 1947, the historical society finalized arrangements to officially open the historic house to the public. This year marks the incredible 75th anniversary of the museum’s first open house.

“It is important for the board of trustees and membership to continue the legacy that was so special from the start,” said Mary Kay Stone, OCHS president. “We continue striving to preserve this truly unique historic landmark and make all visits memorable.”

This year’s Victorian Christmas Open House will feature traditional Christmas music for all ages. Many interesting items from the society collection and new donations will be on display. The museum’s gift shop has custom limited-edition Christmas ornaments and various local history items perfect for Christmas gifting.

The museum is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and other days by appointment. For more information visit the website at www.rbhousemuseum.org or call during regular hours at 315-343-1342.

About the Oswego County Historical Society:

The society was formed in 1896 by a group of prominent civic leaders of Oswego, shortly after a very successful centennial celebration honoring the “Evacuation of the British from Fort Ontario in 1796.” This event recognized a legendary moment in American history when Oswego became fully free as one of the last territories in the country to be relinquished by the British, 13 years after the end of the American Revolution. This proudly marked the first time the American flag was raised in Oswego at its military fort. 

 The goal of the historical society continues to be promoting, protecting and preserving the history of Oswego County.

 A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS – The Oswego County Historical Society hosts its annual Victorian Christmas Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 E. Third St. in Oswego. The event is free and open to the public. The museum will be fully decorated for the holiday season. The theme this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of the museum’s first open house. For more information, call the museum during regular hours at 315-343-1342 or go to www.rbhousemuseum.org.