Walter Elwood MuseumAMSTERDAM, NEW YORK
Who is Walter Elwood? Mr. Elwood was an educator in the Greater Amsterdam School District in the early 1900’s. He had an idea that during his worldly travels, he would collect an avid collector so he would pick up artifacts and objects. He would then carry those from school to school in the Greater Amsterdam School District in order to educate the students. He passed away in the 1950’s and had stipulated the collection was to be left with the Greater Amsterdam School District who is the rightful owners to date. |
The collection consist of approximately 25,000 artifacts which fall under four categories. Multicultural, Natural History, Victoria, and things that relate to the Mohawk Valley’s colorful industrial era (like tangible, photographic or documentary).
The museum offers a link to curriculum, educational classrooms, and functions as an intellectual and artistic arena for the Mohawk Valley and town of Amsterdam. They hold guests lectures from time to time as well with a focus on Math, Science, and Natural History.
Much of the museums past is limited to the last 25 years, but it goes back to 1939. Scrapbooks were recently discovered that document an incredible evolution of the museum as seen through one mans passion for documenting and collecting to better understand it. The collection is quite grand in size and is an extremely valuable tool for teaching. It will only get better with time.
Due to budget constraints, they had to scale back and stop staffing the museum. They are operating from a provisional charter from the New York State Department of Education. With a carefully thought out plan for the future, they are set for significant growth.
Although lack of the ability to store and properly care of the collection, many volunteers have been generous with donating their time, talents and money to help continue and maintain this wonderful offering of history.
The museum offers a link to curriculum, educational classrooms, and functions as an intellectual and artistic arena for the Mohawk Valley and town of Amsterdam. They hold guests lectures from time to time as well with a focus on Math, Science, and Natural History.
Much of the museums past is limited to the last 25 years, but it goes back to 1939. Scrapbooks were recently discovered that document an incredible evolution of the museum as seen through one mans passion for documenting and collecting to better understand it. The collection is quite grand in size and is an extremely valuable tool for teaching. It will only get better with time.
Due to budget constraints, they had to scale back and stop staffing the museum. They are operating from a provisional charter from the New York State Department of Education. With a carefully thought out plan for the future, they are set for significant growth.
Although lack of the ability to store and properly care of the collection, many volunteers have been generous with donating their time, talents and money to help continue and maintain this wonderful offering of history.
- MUSEUM HOURS -
Monday - Friday | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Evenings and Weekends by appointment only
Monday - Friday | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Evenings and Weekends by appointment only
Learn more about the Walter Elwood Museum by visiting their website.
Address: 100 Church Street Amsterdam, NY 12010
Phone: 518-843-5151
Address: 100 Church Street Amsterdam, NY 12010
Phone: 518-843-5151
Updated 09/08/20- LLS