Long Homestead
Step back to the 1800s as you enter the ground floor side door of this cedar sided, stacked log home. Located on the Erie Canal bank, ten period furnished rooms await your exploration.
Built in 1829 by Benjamin Long, the structure served as the family home until the mid 1870s. Purchased by the City of Tonawanda in the mid 1970s and meticulously restored by the City and the Historical Society of the Tonawandas, the house boasts six original fireplaces, original brick ground floor partitions, white oak structural beams and, on the second floor, original flooring, walls, and woodwork. Furnishings date between 1790 and 1840.
Knowledgeable docents provide tours and answer questions. Individuals, families, and school groups find the experience fascinating as they explore life at a time when the Canal was a main route to the West.
In addition to the period rooms, the Homestead features a book store, restrooms, and an herb garden on the grounds. The steep interior staircases can present a challenge but it is definitely worth the climb.
Today, the Homestead is owned by the City of Tonawanda and operated by the Historical Society. The staff are all volunteers. A nominal admission charge helps fund the operation. Society members and those under 14 admitted free.
Scheduled tours can be found on our calendar here. Additional tours may also be arranged; email us at blonghstd24@gmail.com or call 716-694-7406.
As a Private Residence Along the Towpath
Built in 1829 as the residence of Benjamin and Mary Long from Lancaster County, PA, this log home remained with the Long family until at least the mid-1870s. It continued to serve as a private residence into the 20th century.
As a Local Tavern and Restaurant
24 East Niagara Street became home to a number of different eating and drinking establishments in the 1900s. A number of different proprietors operated these businesses, with the last being Jay’s Log Cabin, a well-known tavern in Tonawanda.
As an Historic Site on the Canal
In 1976, the City of Tonawanda purchased the building and worked with the Society to restore it to the time of its original inhabitants. On June 1, 1980, the Society opened the Homestead to the public. It remains as a shining example of life in the 1800s.