A town’s story, preserved for 60 years at Yorktown Museum

For six decades, a small museum tucked away in Yorktown Heights has been preserving the stories that shaped the community — from its earliest settlers and colonial roots to its role in the American Revolution and its evolution into the diverse town it is today.

The Yorktown Museum serves as a window into the community’s past, bringing local history to life through immersive exhibits, artifacts and research materials that showcase the people, places and events that helped define Yorktown.

Visitors can step into a recreated 18th-century home, explore an early Mohegan Indian settlement, learn about the Old Put Railroad and discover Yorktown’s agricultural history. The museum also features detailed miniatures, archival resources and unique gifts.

The exhibits are more than displays of old objects — they tell the story of a community, according to Assistant Curator Amy Swan, who said that history is “important for people to know.”

The resource, she added, is “invaluable” for the community.

This month marks the Yorktown Museum’s 60th anniversary, highlighting a milestone for what local history buffs call a hidden gem in town. They hope the anniversary serves as a reminder that the museum is not only a place to preserve the past, but also an educational resource that connects residents with the stories behind the town they call home.

The museum was conceived in 1965 and officially established in August 1966 under the direction of Katherine “Kate” Lowery, Yorktown’s first town historian, according to Town Clerk Diana Quast, whose office oversees the museum. Lowery’s tenure was brief. She resigned as town historian and museum curator in October 1966, and Town Supervisor John Kibbe appointed Doris E. Auser to oversee and direct the museum.

When the museum officially opened in 1966, its collection consisted of 115 artifacts donated by 15 residents, including chairs, tables, books, flags, documents, maps and other historical items. By December 1966, according to Quast, 39 donors had contributed 237 additional artifacts, bringing the collection to 352 items.

Today, the museum’s collection has grown to more than 10,000 artifacts through both donations and purchases.

The museum’s beginnings were modest. Its first home was two rooms in the Davenport House on Croton Heights Road, a historic residence where Bridget and Elliot Krowe now live and continue to embrace its significance. The Davenport House was built in 1750 and served as the North Continental army command post during the Revolutionary War.

The museum’s earliest exhibits were housed in what is now an office-like space off the kitchen, as well as a bedroom accessible by a fairly steep staircase from the main level. At the time, the Davenport House was owned by the Westchester County Historical Society.

In 1970, the museum moved from the Davenport House to a frame building that had previously served as the Fowler family residence and later became the Yorktown Heights branch of the John C. Hart Memorial Library.

Today, the Yorktown Museum is located on the top floor of the Albert A. Capellini Community & Cultural Center at 1974 Commerce St. The museum is accessible by elevator and stairs and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum is staffed by Swan, archivist Donna Diana and part-time staffer Liam Bobker. It also partners with Ability Beyond, an organization that helps people with disabilities find work.

Over the years, the museum has continued to expand its exhibits and find new ways to engage visitors. One of Swan’s favorite exhibits is the Bible exhibit because she said it shows a “whole world out there.”

As the museum enters its next decade, its focus remains on connection.

Quast cited Town Board support as an important part of the museum’s continued success, while Swan said her goals include expanding connections with the wider community and local school districts to develop programming that brings more people through the doors.

There are so many people, Swan said, who “built this town,” and she believes the museum is one resource to “tell stories in an interesting way” — preserving the experiences and contributions that shaped Yorktown for future generations.