About the Museum
Established in 1963, the Southeast Museum offers exhibits on the history of the Town of Southeast, including the early American Circus, the Harlem Line Railroad, the Tilly Foster Mine, the Borden Milk Condensery, and the Croton Reservoir System.
In addition, the museum presents various changing exhibits, drawing on its extensive collection of antique farm and household implements, quilts, clothing and assorted Americana reflecting 19th century material culture. The museum is located on Main Street, Brewster in one of Putnam County's largest land marked buildings, the 1896 Old Town Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo: 1931 Train Station Dedication, Main Street, Brewster, NY.
Museum Hours
Tuesday- Friday 10:00am-3:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm.
**Please note extreme heat and humidity may force the museum to close early.
Check out our Facebook page or our Events & Programs page here for program information.
Our Mission
The Southeast Museum celebrates the history of the town of Southeast and lower Hudson Valley by educating, collecting, preserving, and interpreting significant material artifacts and culture, to serve as a source of community appreciation and inspiration.
Our Vision
To be a financially sustainable organization with an increased and diverse audience, expanded education programs, and secure and stable facility, which is supported by a dedicated board, knowledgeable staff and an engaged lower Hudson Valley community.
The Southeast Museum thanks the following for their support and friendship:
Town of Southeast
Putnam County Government
Putnam Arts Council
The Brewster Rotary Club
and our Members.
The Southeast Museum is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature as well as in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act.
Educational Programs & Special Events
The Southeast Museum presents a wide variety of educational programs and special events in conjunction with its exhibition program. Activities include tours of area historic sites, house tours, lectures, film presentations, interpretative tours of Putnam County, craft workshops and family programs.
School Programs and After-School Activities
The museum offers a wide variety of educational programs for local school groups, from Pre-K through fifth grade. Presentations on 19th-century life, mining, railroads and folklore are among the many subjects offered. Programs are available at the museum or can be brought to your school group or after-school program. Contact the museum for further information on fees and programs.
Photo: Girl Scouts marching in the Centennial Parade, Brewster, NY 1948.