Preservationist Tour Guide: A Weekend in Cazenovia

Welcome to Cazenovia, a picturesque village in Madison County about 20 miles southeast of Syracuse. Founded in 1793, the town was named after Theophile Cazenove by the town’s founder John Lincklaen, an agent of the Holland Land Company. This part of Central New York is the historic territory of the Oneida Nation, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee.

The Preservation League’s statewide work brings us all over the state, and we’re excited to shine a light on this charming village in Central New York. For a small town, there is a lot to do in Cazenovia. This is a suggested two-day weekend itinerary, but I’m sure you could fill a week — especially if you are keen on outdoor activities. It’s a lovely part of the state, full of history and natural beauty.

Saturday

Start your day at the Cazenovia Farmers’ Market in Memorial Park, right in the middle of the Albany Street Historic District — essentially the village’s main street. Browse the local vendors and assemble your breakfast as you go. It won’t take long to walk Albany Street’s half-mile stretch, but there are plenty of local shops to check out on your way.

Spend the rest of your morning walking the grounds of Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. If you do nothing else in Cazenovia, it’s still worth a trip just to visit this 104-acre sculpture park. There are four miles of trails, dozens of artworks scattered throughout the site, and the artist-designed home of Dorothy Reister and her husband Robert. The Hilltop House and Studio is a midcentury gem that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. In 2021, the site was also added to the National Trust’s Historic Artists' Homes and Studios program. The League and our partners at NYSCA helped fund a Building Condition Report of this important historic site through a Preserve New York Grant in 2016. The Reisters originally purchased just 23 acres on which to build a home in 1958. The Hilltop House started as a summer home, but was later expanded and became their year-round residence. They continued purchasing adjoining land to create the Art Park that exists today. After being postponed due to COVID-19, tours of the house are being offered again this summer. Reserve your spot for the 1:00 tour of the house and enjoy walking the grounds beforehand.

After touring Hilltop House, head back into town to grab lunch at Pewter Spoon, a family-owned cafe that focuses on local ingredients and high-quality coffee. This recommendation comes courtesy of Hilltop House Director Sarah Tietje-Mietz, and the author can confirm it’s an excellent lunch destination.

Right across the street you’ll find the Cazenovia Public Library. The library is housed in an 1830s Greek Revival building that was originally a private residence. It was purchased by a local benefactor, Robert J. Hubbard, and donated to the library in 1890. Hubbard also donated artifacts collected during his travels — including a complete mummy and its case! They have a Cabinet of Curiosities on display, a natural history collection, and various objects related to local history. The library is also home to a very friendly cat named Page. The Library is another of the League’s grant recipients, receiving a Technical Assistance Grant in 2017 for a Feasibility Reuse Study.

After saying goodbye to Page the Cat, settle into your lodging of choice. There are plenty of historic sites that can accommodate you, including The Lincklaen House, which has been welcoming guests since 1836. According to their website, Former President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland and John D. Rockefeller all stayed there. For dinner you have two dining options right on site — the restaurant and the tavern.

After dinner head to Lakeland Park to watch the sunset over Cazenovia Lake before turning in for the night.

Sunday

On Sunday mornings through mid-October, the Brewster Inn hosts yoga on their lawn by the lake. Walk over to join in, or just head straight to their restaurant for brunch. Built by Benjamin Brewster (Brewster was an equal partner with John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil) as a summer home in 1890, the Gilded Age mansion-turned-hotel retains many of its original charms, including stunning woodwork throughout.

The front facade of Lorenzo State Historic Site. via

After brunch, make your way over to Lorenzo State Historic Site. The Federal-style mansion was built in 1807 by John Lincklaen, founder of Cazenovia. Situated on 87 acres overlooking Cazenovia Lake, visitors can tour the house that was home to the Lincklaen family until the property was conveyed to New York State in 1968. The grounds and formal gardens — the design of which dates back to the mid-1800s — are free and open to the public year-round. The nonprofit Friends of Lorenzo helps maintain and preserve the site.

As luck would have it, Lorenzo is the first stop on Cazenovia Preservation Foundation’s Historic Driving Tour. Before heading home, follow their tour map to admire the history of this Central New York location. They lay out 15 sites along a 37 mile route, highlighting history related to abolitionism, agriculture, and the environment.

If you have time, add a short detour to your drive and stop at Chittenango Falls State Park to admire the 167-foot waterfall. You can hike a trail that passes both the bottom and top of the falls so you can catch the vista from every angle. Every trip is better when it ends with a waterfall.

Honorable Mentions

At the east end of Albany Street’s main drag, you’ll be able to pick up the Gorge Trail (the trailhead is accessible from the True Value parking lot). If you’re feeling ambitious, you can walk the full 2.5 miles along the former Cazenovia/Canastota Railroad line, parallel to the Chittenango Creek. If you are less ambitious, you can walk a quarter mile to find the Lehigh Valley Railroad Depot. The depot was built in 1894, abandoned in 1965, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 (see also: the Lehigh Valley Railroad Roundhouse in Manchester, a former League Seven to Save). It has since been restored and is now the studio of a local photographer.

Lakeland Park has a sandy beach, complete with lifeguards and a diving board. You can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to experience Cazenovia from the water. At the southern edge of the park you’ll find the historic Carpenter's Barn. This stone carriage house was built in 1889 and there are plans to turn it into a community art space.

Another option for a historic hotel experience: the Brae Loch Inn. The Scottish-inspired restaurant and inn has been operated by the same family in their 1805 building for over 70 years. Make sure to take a moment to admire the interior!