After a brief winter closure for retooling and planning, the Seward House Museum has reopened for tours and is gearing up for a busy year of events, including a major celebration marking the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Auburn.
Dr. Jeffrey Ludwig, the museum’s director of education, announced the reopening during an appearance on Beyond the Front Page highlighting new programming, expanded digital outreach, and continued efforts to connect visitors with Auburn’s rich history.
“We’re back open, and we encourage visitors to book their tours in advance,” Ludwig said, noting that public tours often fill up due to school visits and group reservations. The museum operates Tuesday through Saturday, with Sunday hours resuming in the summer.
The return of school field trips will be a major focus in the coming months, particularly the “Passport to History” program, which brings every fourth grader in Auburn to the city’s historic sites. Students receive a passport that is stamped at each location, incentivizing them to learn key facts about figures like William H. Seward, Harriet Tubman, and the city’s role in the Underground Railroad.
Beyond tours, the museum is expanding its online presence. A new hire, Walker Goodemote, has been brought on as interpretation and communications coordinator to strengthen digital outreach. The museum is planning to livestream select programs, starting with a virtual event on March 30 exploring Seward’s role in the Alaska purchase, in partnership with historical sites in Ketchikan, Alaska.
A highlight of the museum’s upcoming programming is the June 8 celebration of Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Auburn. The French general, widely regarded as a hero of the American Revolution, toured all 24 states at the time as a guest of the nation. His arrival in Auburn was a major local event, and a 24-year-old William H. Seward was among those who greeted him.
The upcoming commemoration will include reenactments, historical readings, music, and an open house at the Seward House Museum. Organizers, including the city and local Masonic groups, are collaborating with Lafayette 200, a national organization retracing the general’s journey.
Other museum events planned for 2025 include a May 16 ribbon-cutting for an updated historical marker and author talks, including one on the Kansas-Nebraska Act, a pivotal moment in pre-Civil War America.
With a packed calendar ahead, Ludwig encouraged the community to engage with the museum, whether by becoming a member, attending programs, or volunteering.
“Auburn is history’s hometown, and we want people to experience it,” he said.
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