Educational programs, permanent and changing exhibitions, workshops, and guided and self-guided tours interpret the Oneida Community story for children and adults.  The curriculum-based field trip Children of the Mansion House serves fourth, fifth and sixth-grade classes as well as youth community groups, camp, and scout troops (Teacher's Handbook and Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8). Students participate in hands-on learning centers, make comparisons and draw conclusions, listen to children’s stories from the past, hunt for curiosities, use historic reproductions, as well as examine architecture, primary documents, photos and museum displays.
For high school Advanced Placement U.S. History students, a customized tour of the Mansion House covers many subjects important in the state U.S. History curriculum -- gender, reform, religion, and utopian experiments.  For college, the tour is adapted to the instructor's subject in architecture, anthropology, history, sociology, women's studies, religion, art, or economics. The Mansion House also offers special group tours for specific audiences and provides speakers upon request.

Concerts, recitals, plays, and other presentations provide additional opportunities for revealing Community life. 

                 The Oneida Community Mansion publishes the Oneida Community Journal to

inform the public of the cultural and educational activities at the Mansion House and

to present articles about social and historical topics of interest within the context of

         its mission.

Family portraits, historical photographs in the thousands, a Victorian curio cabinet, period furniture, paintings crafted from silk braidings, books, Community-designed costumes, and ephemera - more than 30,000 objects in all - illustrate the intellectual, cultural, and business life of the Community.         The Mansion House is the queen of the collection; its interior key to Community activities.  Included in self-guided and guided tours are the Big Hall, described as “an embodiment of our life and faith” by founder John Humphrey Noyes, with its exquisite trompe l’oeil ceiling; the Upper Sitting Room that most defined their idea of home; the Community Library where life-long education was encouraged and more than 100 newspapers, magazines, and journals subscribed; and the Vestibule with its cabinet of curiosities.
In the History Room visitors can explore objects from Community life: silk thread and animal traps produced for sale, charming small wooden bureaus made for women to store their keepsakes, original Community china, and early Oneida silverware.

The Syracuse University Library has an extensive collection of Oneida Community

archival material. 

                Orientation Exhibit.  Exhibition features photographs, text, artifacts, a

timeline and more to provide visitors with a thorough introduction to the Oneida

Community prior to touring the Mansion House.  (May be enjoyed without

paying admission).

Oneida Game Traps, 1852-1925: The Edward J. Knobloch Collection. Located

in the CAC building in the City of Sherrill, the exhibit emphasizes the continuity of the Oneida Community and the Oneida Community, Ltd.  Considered together under the name "Oneida," this was America's most successful trap manufacturer for about 70 years.

The Cartoons of Jerry Wayland-Smith and Others.  A whimsical look at life in and around the Mansion House from OC descendant artists.

The Braidings of Jessie Catherine Kinsley. This permanent exhibit traces the roots of Kinsley’s art to childhood experience with textile work in the Oneida Community and to formal art training from Kenneth Hayes Miller, an influential figure in twentieth-century American art. The presentation featuring exquisite silk briaidngs and paintings explores Kinsley's themes and the significance of her achievement. What began as rug decoration evolved, during the 1910s, into a new painterly art form and her fusion of tapestry and illustrated manuscript exemplified the American Craftsman aesthetic (ca 1910-1925). (Suggested donation $2)

Oneida Community Women in the Material World.  The exhibit features objects expressive of those who created or used them.  On display are products of communal needlework including children's apparel and a reform dress, the probably precursor of the Bloomer costume worn by early advocates of Women's Rights.  The quilting materials include a quilt (the "Second Best") not seen for many years.  Also on view are artifacts of two silk thread industries; "machine twist," thread for sewing machines made by factory employees and thread for hand-sewing made by Community women in their home, the Mansion House.  There are several examples of miniature bureaus, the Oneida Community's distinctive cabinet furniture made to hold a woman's personal belongings. 

For more information about the historic Mansion House and the Oneida Community, visitors can purchase books and memorabilia at the charming bookstore.          The bookstore features many titles about the utopian, religious community as well as souvenirs and gifts including cards, clothing and games. For more information about titles or for mail order, please call (315) 363-0745 or write to:
Bookstore
Oneida Community Mansion House
170 Kenwood Avenue
Oneida, New York 13421

Open year-round except major holidays.
Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday:  12 to 4 p.m.   

Regularly scheduled guided tours are conducted Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday, 2 p.m. Groups of eight or more are welcome by reservation, 315-363-0745.  Self guided tours may be taken at any time.  Admissions prices are as follows:

Adults, $5
Children Under 12, Free
Family Unit (one set of parents and their children), $15
Students, $3
Museum is wheelchair accessible ~

Elementary School/Camp/Scout Program, by reservation

Please contact the Curator, ext. 4228, to apply for school field trip funds. Click here for an application form.