Central New York Living History Center

A museum in Cortland, the Central New York Living History Center grew out of one collector’s lifelong curiosity. Ken Eaton bought a Civil War rifle as a teenager and wanted to know its story, and the more he read about the war, the more his interest grew.

That pursuit turned into a lifelong passion for history and the artifacts that go with it. The military collection includes an M-60 battle tank and a nearly full-size replica of Lackawanna 2-8-2 Mikado locomotive No. 2107, alongside the history of Central New York.

What to Know

• The museum grew out of Ken Eaton’s lifelong interest in history, which began with a single Civil War rifle.
• An M-60 battle tank is part of the military collection.
• A nearly full-size replica of Lackawanna 2-8-2 Mikado locomotive No. 2107 is also on view.
• Central New York’s own history is part of the story the museum tells.