HISTORIC SITES
The hamlet of Peterboro is located in the Town of Smithfield, in the center of beautiful Madison County, New York 13134.
National Abolition Hall of Fame & Museum
Located in the Smithfield Community Center, the site of the inaugural meeting of the New York State Antislavery Society Meeting in 1835.
Gerrit Smith Estate
National Historic Monument
Home of abolitionist Gerrit Smith (1797-1874). Hundreds of fugitives from slavery and scores of abolitionists walked on this estate.
Peterboro Area Museum
Established 1975
4604 Peterboro Road
Peterboro, New York
315-684-9022
The Peterboro Area Museum is located at the east end of the Peterboro Green, in the former schoolhouse of the Home for Destitute Children of Madison County, built in 1899. The museum is open from June to September on Sundays, 2-4. Please call to arrange special visits.
Closed July 4th weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Exhibits include Peterboro Glass, the Madison County Home for Destitute Children, Gerrit Smith’s Family and their accomplishments, the Underground Railroad in Peterboro, Early Businesses, Elizabeth Smith Miller’s Dress Reform, and Gerrit Smith Miller’s contributions to soccer and the Holstein Friesian cattle industry.
The museum also has an extensive genealogical collection for families with a connection to Peterboro and the surrounding area.