Phelps Community
Historical Society

66 Main St
Phelps, NY 14532

Tel. 315.548.4940
Email: histsoc@fltg.net
Web Link: www.phelpsny.com/history

Hours:

10am - 4pm on Tue. - Fri. year round
10am - 4pm on Wed. - Sat. June - Labor Day

Phelps Community Historical Society (PCHS) interprets life in Phelps through its museum and exhibits and offers a variety of programs and services to the general public. PCHS even provides downtown walking tours and group tour programs. Community events are also listed on the Calendar of Events.

PCHS maintains and interprets two historical buildings in the community of Phelps, both of which are listed on the National Historic Trust Register.

The brick constructed, historic Howe House, became the home of the Phelps Community Historical Society in 1999. A two-story outhouse is connected to the Howe House, with entrances on both the first and second floors. The Howe House is our main museum and has both permanent and rotating exhibits. The Howe House is even available for private use for parties, receptions and showers.

In 2005, PCHS acquired the “Country Lawyer’s Office”, a one-story red brick building with four white pillars. Built around 1835, this site became well-known after the best selling novel; The Country Lawyer was written in 1939 by Bellamy Partridge. For almost 40 years, Bellamy’s father, Samuel S. Partridge, practiced law in this building. Currently this building is open by appointment only. We are currently undergoing strategic planning to determine its long term use for visitors and the community. Phelps native, Mary Hicks Preston, purchased both buildings for the Phelps Community Historical Society.

Phelps Arts Center

15 Church Street
Phelps, NY 14532

Tel. 315.548.2095
Web Link: www.phelpsny.com/arts

Hours: Fri-Sun 1-5 PM

Founded in Nov. 2006, the Phelps Arts Center resides in a former church – in fact, the building is one of the best examples of English Parrish Architecture in Western NY.

Currently a 100% volunteer organization, the Arts Center was established to:

• provide artists and art lovers an appropriate space, on a temporary basis;
• for the public display of their works and/or collections of objects that are of artistic nature;
• provide interactive workshops, classes, lectures, etc. to a public interested in developing their knowledge, enjoyment and skills in the “hands-on” arts.

The Arts Center houses the following activities:

A community collaborative, The Phelps Arts Center has a nonprofit fiscal sponsor, The Phelps Community Historical Society, which has enabled support to be received from the New York State Council on the Arts State and Local Partnership Program.

About the building:

The earliest Episcopal services were around the village of Canandaigua. Building began on St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1849, and it was consecrated in 1850 and completed in 1859. The chancel organ room & vestry were added in 1896; the tower in 1905; and the parish house in 1955. In the late 1950s, the small congregation decided to close. The building sat empty for 20 years. Remodeled in 1975, it became the Phelps Community Library for the next 30 years and currently is in the process of becoming the permanent home of the Phelps Arts Center. It is listed on the National Historic Trust Register.