Friends of Historic Rochester is a local organization dedicated to preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the town of Rochester, a rural community in Ulster County, NY. Our historical museum is located at 12 Main Street in the hamlet of Accord. The museum is currently open on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm, and the last saturday of every in season month from 11-2pm
Our New Museum phone number is 845.253.0271
Join Friends of Historic Rochester in the 19th Annual Heritage Day Fall Festival to be held on October 4, 2025, from 11-5pm in the heart of Main
Street Accord. Heritage Day is a day dedicated to honoring our history and celebrating the present-day organizations that shape our lives. We will have our traditional
Jennie Bell Pie contest running from 11-1 pm (if you would like to enter, contact the Recreation Department for more details 845-626-2115). There
will be live music on Main St. by Full Moon Burn from 11-1:30pm and Starlight Trio 2:30-5pm. There will be delicious food available hot off
the grill from the Accord Fire Company or visit the Oyster Bar down Main St where you will also find a variety of vendors set up. The
Country Quilters Guild will be set up in the social hall with demonstrations starting at 12:30pm. At the Friends Museum, check out our
Town archives, sit in on guest speaker Bill Merchant on the D& H Canal at 12:30pm, visit with the 71st NY Volunteer Infantry- 1898, Great Wolf
Spirit, demonstrations from local Farrier and other displays. At 2pm the Historic Preservation Commission will be presenting awards to local
homeowners who kept the historic nature to their property. This day is filled with lots of activities for children as well. The Rochester
Reformed Church will have onsite visits from 11-5pm at the church located at 5142 Route 209 Accord where you can see the oldest operating
Church in our town dating back to 1695 and officially incorporated in 1701. We will end the evening with Fireworks in the Town Park at 7:00pm.
This event is free and Rain or Shine, come together and celebrate Rochester’s diverse history of over 322 years. For more information
check out our facebook page or Town website www.friendsofrochester.org
Keep a lookout for the new edittion of the Accordian out now
Our annual Friends of Historic Rochester meeting this year featured native American story’s, songs, and traditions
Grey Wolf Group presenting the friends of historic Rochester with a COMMEMORATIVE native people plate/art
Our annual Friends of Historic Rochester meeting this year featured native American story’s, songs, and traditions
Open House!
Museum and library
Our museum contains a large collection of artifacts, local historical information, and genealogy materials that we have been building as an organization since 1988.
Become a member!
Become a part of the Friends of Historic Rochester today! Enjoy membership benefits and support the preservation of our town's local history.