Museum of Wayne County History

10/30/2026

Curious about Halloween's origins? Check out our new article: A Historical Halloween! Can you guess how Wayne County has its own connection to the spookiest season of the year? 👻🎃

It’s that time of the year when the leaves die and crunch beneath our feet, the air grows colder, and pumpkins appear on each and every porch. Known by most as Halloween, the spookiest holiday of them all, has many other names such as: All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Eve, and Samhaim (pronounced...

10/30/2026

Another amazing post from Jennifer! Do you have any experiences in this jail that you couldn’t quite explain?

Does William Fee Still Haunt the Old Wayne County Jail?

On March 23, 1860, William Fee was hanged inside the Wayne County Jail in Lyons for the murder of a young woman.

More than 160 years later, some believe he never left.

Fee's ex*****on was the only legal hanging in Wayne County's history. His case had attracted enormous public attention, and thousands reportedly gathered outside the jail on the day he was put to death.

Fee maintained his innocence until the very end.

The old jail continued operating for another century before closing in 1960. Today, the building is home to the Museum of Wayne County History, and much of its original character remains, including the old cellblocks.

But according to local ghost stories, the building's history isn't the only thing that has lingered.

Over the years, museum staff and visitors have reported unexplained footsteps, mysterious voices, and other unusual experiences within the former jail.

Some believe the restless spirit of William Fee still wanders the building where he spent his final days.

And he apparently isn't the only one.

Visitors have also reported hearing what sounds like children running and playing in the former sheriff's residence, where generations of sheriffs once lived with their families.

The building's reputation for paranormal activity eventually attracted the attention of the television series *Haunted Collector*, which investigated the old jail in 2013.

Of course, whether these experiences have a supernatural explanation is another matter entirely.

What we do know is that William Fee was executed within those walls, and the building has stood for more than 160 years, accumulating stories along the way.

There's something particularly unsettling about a haunted place when so much of its history is still there to see.

Have you ever visited the old Wayne County Jail in Lyons?
Did you experience anything unusual, or have you heard stories about the building being haunted?

A big thank you to the Museum of Wayne County History in Lyons for generously sharing this photograph!

10/29/2026

After the installation* of the True Valor Monument at Central Park in Lyons, please join us for a reception Lyons Elk Lodge #869 with guest speaker, author Carolyn Ivanoff https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.ivanoff.3.

Enjoy a special presentation at 3:15pm from Carolyn regarding the additional impact of the war on civilian women who followed their boys into combat. Recount this story from her book, Cornelia Hancock's Civil War: A Heart Touched by Fire, about a woman who helped set up a field hospital at the Schwartz Farm in Gettysburg and who remained dedicated to the 111th long after the war ended. Her story underscores the tragedies of war from a woman's perspective. RSVP at

The "True Valor at Gettysburg" monument represents many stories of service associated with the 111th NY Union Regiment. Come learn the role Cornelia Hancock had in helping these men.

10/27/2026

This chair carries a different energy when you know it is made from the gallows of Wayne County's only legal ex*****on. Thank you to Home in the Finger Lakes for this amazing write-up!

10/25/2026

Honoring Wayne County Veterans, the final piece for Installation, Consecration and Reception for the True Valor at Gettysburg monument will be Saturday, October 31. 2pm - 5pm. https://www.waynehistory.org/events

10/20/2026

If you havent RSVP'd already for tomorrow's Colonial Witches talk, then go to waynehistory.org/events to reserve your spot! Ann Sweart of the DAR will be discussing the ways in which the witch trials along the East Coast had a direct impact on Wayne County. We hope to see you there!

10/16/2026

Join us in Old Wolcott for more local history than you can shake a stick at!!! Kudos to the Old Wolcott Team of Rose Historical Society - Farnsworth Museum, Wolcott Historical Society, Historic Huron, NY and Butler Historical Preservation Society - Wayne County NY.

Yep!!! We are almost there!!
Saturday, October 17, 2026 is TOMORROW!!

Our fantastic line-up of Jubilee exhibitors are looking forward to chatting with YOU tomorrow about their area of history and/or heritage interests and expertise. The folks gathered for this day are interested in hearing your stories, too.

Metal detection history detectives, gravestone and cemetery preservationists, bee keeping advocates, apple peeling pros, family history keepers, military history spokespeople, museum directors, history re-enactors, and local historians preserving your town's interest are just a sampling of those to visit with tomorrow!

Experience the past and the present, and build some personal and community inspiration for the future during the Old Wolcott Community Heritage Jubilee tomorrow at North Rose-Wolcott High School from 10 am to 3 pm.

Remember - this historic event is the final Bicentennial Old Wolcott (Butler, Huron, Rose, and Wolcott) event for this commemorative year!! Come celebrate! Bring you family! Bring a friend! Bring a neighbor!

See you tomorrow!!

Butler Historical Preservation Society - Wayne County NY
Historic Huron, NY
Town of Rose Historian
Rose Historical Society - Farnsworth Museum
Town of Huron, NY
Town/Village of Wolcott Historian
Wolcott Historical Society
North Rose-Wolcott Central School District