Interlaken, New York
The Interlaken Historical Society
OUR VISION
To preserve, celebrate, and appreciate the past and present of our community in order to embrace the future.
Support Interlaken’s History – and Its Future
Together, we preserve our community’s past — and build for tomorrow.
🏛️ Who We Are
The Interlaken Historical Society (IHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.
Our Vision: To preserve, celebrate, and appreciate the past and present of our community in order to embrace the future.
💫 2025–26 Fund Drive
Your generosity keeps our mission alive. Choose the fund that speaks to you:
A. General Fund
Goal $3,000
Everyday operating expenses that sustain IHS programs and exhibits.
B. Capital Repair Fund
Goal $6,000
Essential repairs for the Farmers Museum.
C. Building Fund
Goal $950,000
Our dream project: the new Community Life Museum, a hub for local history, learning, and connection.
💡Matching Challenge:
A generous IHS member will match every dollar donated to the Building Fund (Fund C) up to $5,000.
Double your impact and help bring the new museum to life!
Donate to Our Cause
📈 Progress So Far
As of June 30, 2025, our Building Fund stands at $91,404. Each contribution builds momentum toward breaking ground on our future museum.
💌 How to Give
By Mail:
Make checks payable to
I.H.S. 2025–26 Fund Drive
P.O. Box 270, Interlaken, NY 14847
Online:
Just click Donate. You can choose which fund(s) to support.
Please choose PayPal ONLY, we do not take donations on credit cards.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Trustee Vacancy
If you would like to learn more about our Board, please reach out!
Our Community
Our Community
Our Community
The Village of Interlaken was also known as the Village of Farmer and Farmerville. Other local names within the Town of Covert include: Kelly’s Corners, Kingtown, Hall’s Corners, Covert Station, Liberty Corners, and Trumansburg Landing. Nearby are Lodi, Townsendville, Kidders, Sheldrake, Ovid, Romulus, and Willard.
Our Mission
Our Community
Our Community
Establish, maintain, and operate museums and a research room for the promotion of local and area history.
Collect and preserve items and books of historical, literary, and artistic interest to our community.
Publish articles, pamphlets, periodicals, and works of historic or literary significance to our area.
Encourage the use of our facilities and resources for research.
Promote the dissemination of historical information through modern technology.
Carry on activities usually associated with a historical society, particularly relating to the history of southern Seneca County and the community of Interlaken.
Our History
Our Community
Our History
Founded in 1951, the society has grown from a few local members dedicated to “collecting, preserving and disseminating all things related to the history of South Seneca County, the Town of Covert and the Village of Interlaken," to members across North America who still believe in collecting, preserving, and sharing information.
Spring Program: Following the Railroad
Monday, April 27, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Covert Municipal Building, 8469 Main Street, Interlaken
In-person and livestreamed
Join the Interlaken Historical Society for our winter program, Following the Railroad, an engaging illustrated presentation exploring the buildings, businesses, and stories shaped by the Lehigh Valley Railroad through Interlaken.
Village Historian Diane Bassette Nelson brings this popular walking tour indoors, expanding far beyond what could be covered on foot. Using historic photographs, Sanborn maps, and archival records, Diane will trace how depots, trains, commerce, and key events influenced daily life and the growth of our community.
Since the original summer tour, new buildings, locations, and stories have been added, broadening the focus from just three streets to a richer, more complete picture of Interlaken’s railroad history. Whether you joined the walk last year or are discovering it for the first time, this program offers fresh insight and newly uncovered material.
The program will be held at the Covert Municipal Building, which is handicapped accessible. Personal hearing headsets will be available for anyone who has difficulty hearing in a group setting—everyone is welcome. The presentation will also be livestreamed, with viewing options available through our website and YouTube channel.
Diane Bassette Nelson has served as Village Historian for over twenty years and is a former president of the Interlaken Historical Society and Trustee Emeritus.
Questions? Contact John Hunt at 607-592-3224.
We hope you’ll join us—either in person or from home—for an evening of local history brought to life.
