2026 Auburn Citizen Best of Region – Ward W O'Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum

Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum

Category Arts & Entertainment

First Place Best Art Gallery

First Place Best Attraction

First Place Best Festival Festival of Trees

First Place Best Local Event

First Place Best Musuem

Second Place Best Place to have a Birthday Party

Second Place Best Tourist Spot

CONGRATULATIONS TO MUSEUM STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

GREAT WORK

Ward W. O’Hara

Author of 15 books and a columnist for the local newspaper for more than 11 years Ward became interested in collecting farm equipment in the mid-1900s. His wife, Ruth, joined right in and their collection grew beyond their ability to house it all. They saw the 4-H Pavillion at Emerson Park standing idle and approached the Cayuga County Legislature for permission to make it a Country Museum, which they did in May of 1975. In May 1977 the Legislature renamed the museum the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum in his honor. On September 8, 1997 Ward passed away leaving behind a legacy that will benefit us all for many years to come.