Goodsell Museum in Old Forge, Herkimer County, United States | Museum

Welcome to the Goodsell Museum, Old Forge, United States, The Town of Webb Historical Association website. Goodsell Museum is located on Main St. in Old Forge, NY, a premiere travel destination in the heart of the Fulton Chain of Lakes district in New York's beautiful six million acre Adirondack State Park. Plan to visit our Adirondack related exhibits and extensive new research library with books, maps, genealogy & business records, vintage photographs and postcards.

The Town of Webb is the largest township in New York State.  The impact of the railroad upon the region was immediate. Thousands of people poured into the mountains to enjoy recreational and health-generating opportunities. Steamboats and guideboats brought them to the new hotels and guest houses along the lakes. Logging camps and mills provided plenty of work but claimed a fair share of the surrounding forests. Two decades of prosperity followed along with a great building boom. The jubilant citizens of the new township were unaware of the perils looming ahead in the new century -- of catastrophic forest fires, the decimation of forest lands and wildlife, spiraling land prices, unpredictable cycles of development, two major world wars and other global conflicts, the changes in transportation systems, the impact of technology, acid rain, and the powerful political forces that operate within the Adirondack Park and State of New York.  Webb is still a land of rugged mountains, nearly 200 sparkling lakes and ponds, and home today to nearly 1900 year-round residents living in small hamlets. Thousands more visit the region to enjoy boating, hiking, river rafting, skiing, snowmobiling or to spend time with their families at their seasonal camp properties. At the Historical Association in Old Forge, we are working to preserve our rich history and share our stories.

In the late 1960's, Betty Cole, George Sponable, and Pitt Smith first talked about preserving local history. Marion HolmesFor a while, artifacts and photographs were collected and stored in the basement of the Town of Webb Health Center. Later, exhibits were displayed on the second floor of the old Fire Hall on Crosby Boulevard. In 1976, local businessman A. Richard Cohen deeded his parents' homestead to the historical group and to the library. In 1977, Marion Holmes, a retired Town of Webb teacher, was appointed town historian and then elected President of the Historical. Under her leadership, the Historical Association was incorporated in 1988 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and displaying the heritage of our region.

The Goodsell Museum, In 1995, the Association inherited the Robert Goodsell property on Main Street, a beautifully restored Victorian turn-of-the-century home and carriage house, centrally located in the village of Old Forge across from the post office. It was built by Robert's father, George Goodsell, in 1899-1900 and was the Goodsell family home for nearly a century. We are open year-round Tuesday- Saturday from 10am-3pm or by appointment and invite you to visit our Museum which is FREE to the Public. Research and genealogical inquires can be made by phone, letters or email. (See our genealogy link) Special tours are available by contacting the Director, Gail Murray at 315 369-3838.