millard fillmore museum

There is not space in this review to recount the many deeds of the mighty Millard Fillmore. Suffice to say, every school student knows he is among our nation's most famous presidents.All kidding aside, I knew nothing about President Fillmore prior to my visit to this site. I came away learning some neat facts about the background and early life of this forgotten president. Turns out he was a very rapidly rising political star whose public career did not end after his time as president.The house itself is unique for the fact that is was built by Fillmore and includes many items owned by him and his family, including some that were once in the White House. The tour guides were excellent, and their enthusiasm for Fillmore and his home was evident. The guided tour took about 45 minutes.The only thing I would have liked was an exhibit or some information about Fillmore's time as president. A visit to this site is likely the only chance a visitor will ever have to learn about his term and I think they missed an opportunity to inform here. I know they are currently raising money towards building a reconstruction of Fillmore's law office nearby; hopefully there will be space to include a little more about his presidency.They do have very limited hours- make sure to plan accordingly. The $10 admission cost may be high for some, but keep in mind this is a locally owned house/museum that doesn't benefit from National Park Service funding. I'm sure admission dollars help keep this building preserved.

My wife and I live in Iowa, and we love to travel to historic places, particularly presidential residences. Knowing that we were going to be in Niagara Falls that week, we decided to arrange a tour of the Millard Fillmore House. I made arrangements with Kathy Frost, a very personable lady who agreed to give us a personal tour, since we were not able to attend on the days when the house is open to the public.Due to some nasty pre-Fourth of July traffic, we were almost a full half-hour late for our meeting with Ms. Frost, but she patiently waited for us after informing her via cell phone that we would arrive a bit tardily. Despite the fact that E. Aurora celebrates the Fourth a day early, it was an especially gracious thing for Ms. Frost to wait for us. I will forever be in Ms. Frost's debt for being as kind and patient with us as she was.My wife and I have been to many a presidential site all over the country, but I've never had as grand a tour as the one I got from Ms. Frost. She was personable, warm and had a wonderful sense of humor. Though the house is a museum, we were able to actually touch many items (carefully, of course!), and that set this tour apart from most others. Ms. Frost is very knowledgeable about the Fillmores, and clearly enjoys her work. E. Aurora is a town that embraces its history, and we found that most refreshing. We found the town to be beautiful and welcoming. While Fillmore as a president perhaps doesn't rank as high on the list of the most important (or even great) chief executives, his life was full of personal accomplishment. I marveled at seeing the actual law books that Fillmore owned still stacked above his writing desk, and there are many period pieces that, though not necessarily owned by the Fillmores, still give one a sense of what was used in the time period that the president and First Lady lived. I implore you to take the time to visit this rare but wonderful historical treat. Like us, you do have the option of taking the personal tour if you are not able to attend the regular openings on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, provided you call ahead to arrange a date. It is a bit pricier that way, but well worth it, since you are not rushed. There are many great keepsakes for purchase at the house. Kathy was nice about taking photos for us outside the house with the cardboard cutout of the president that greets you in the main parlor as you walk in; it personalized our visit to the home, and made it that much more memorable. My thanks again to Ms. Frost for her warmth, wit, and hospitality. It made our trip to upstate New York one to remember for a lifetime! If you really love American history, don't pass this one by!

I enjoy visiting Presidential sites and this one was pretty good. The house is very small and filled with a fair amount of original material owned by Fillmore, above average for a Presidential site of a President from his era. It is informative just to see the small quarters of somebody who later became President.The docents were fairly knowledgeable about the history involved and don't try to over-hype the reputation of Fillmore. The tour takes about 30 minutes and there are a few items for sale in the final room. Fillmore wasn't a great man, or even a good President. Touring this facility opens ones mind about the historical nature of the Presidency. You won't have any deep revelations about Fillmore, but you'll walk away with some local knowledge and an appreciation for how the Presidency has changed over time.

On the National Historic register and it's right in the heart of the village of East Aurora. It's amazing how small and tiny the rooms were back in those days.

Our hobby over the years has been visiting homes of the presidents. We have been to many of the most famous and some of the less famous... 20 so far and counting. We were very impressed with the house, the furnishings & possessions, the docents, and the history we received. I really can't understand the criticism of a recent visitor. Many, many items in the house belonged to the Fillmores with the main part of the house and a kitchen table handmade by the president himself! Several items on display were brought back from the White House. The quilt on the bed in the tumbling blocks pattern was hand sewn by Abigail Fillmore herself! Daughter Mary's one of a kind harp is on display and is truly a work of art. The Fillmore's personal "one horse open sleigh" is in the carriage house outback. This house is staffed by well-informed volunteers from the local historical society, and let me tell you, they know their stuff! We left the home with much more knowledge of President Fillmore and his family. If you are looking for a fancy mansion, gilded & ornate, don't bother to go. But if you want to really see a unique piece of history and learn more about our 13th president, you will be well-rewarded. They are not operated by the National Park Service, so they don't have your tax dollars supporting them. I don't think that $10 per person is too much to ask! We are very glad that we added the Millard Fillmore home to our travels!

Paid 10 bucks each to see this tiny house that had items in it that were not his. Could not walk around freely. Information given by each person was boring at times and long winded. Paid less to see a mansion and gardens

I was a docent here for a couple of years (no longer). It's enlightening to see how people lived in the early 1800s. This is a low-budget volunteer operation, so don't expect the bells and whistles of a national park. On the other hand, nothing can take away from the experience of seeing the original floor laid, presumably, by Millard Fillmore and his friends and family when he brought his wife to East Aurora upon their marriage.

The Aurora Historical Society and the Millard Fillmore House Museum would like to thank you for the wonderful review of our site. We hope you will be able to visit again when the Law Office is finished.

Dear Michael,Thank you for the wonderful and detailed review of our museum. We are so glad you enjoyed your experience.

This is a tiny gem packed with interesting artifacts and very knowledgable staff. You won't stand for a Millard Fillmore joke again once you understand the man and his life's work.

I was in East Aurora to see the Roycroft Campus. While in town, I was happy to drive by this home and see the "OPEN" sign at the front door. Kathy Frost gave a fantastic tour of the home, which is filled with unique and historic pieces. President Fillmore had a very interesting life and the museum includes many significant pieces to enhance the understanding. If you ask, you can get your photo with him on the front steps! There is also a beautiful garden to enhance the setting.

If anyone has a bit of extra time and you find yourself in East Aurora you must stop by the small Millard Fillmore Museum. It was staffed very a very articulate lady that was able to ask all my questions. Very nice memorability from his life.Don't miss this special museum when you find yourself in East Aurora, New York!!

The informative and friendly tour of the Millard Fillmore Museum was wonderful. The volunteers who staff the home are so enthusiastic and knowlegdeable. We love to find small house museums and this one was worth the time.

We visited the Millard Fillmore house museum two days ago. I thought I knew a few things about Millard Fillmore, but I was surprised to learn a few new things and to have some misconceptions about him and his presidency corrected. Yes, the museum is open limited hours and days (currently only from 1 - 4 PM on Wed., Sat., & Sun.). Still, it is definitely worth a visit. We had a total of three different docents, all of whom were very knowledgeable, to discuss different aspects of Fillmore, the house, and its contents. This is the only house that a president built with his own hands, and it contains many items that belonged to Fillmore and his family, including some pieces that were in the White House during Fillmore's presidency. Admission is reasonable at $10 per person. For an extra $5, you can get a combo ticket to this museum and the Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum, just a short walk from here.

We are so glad that you enjoyed your tour of the Millard Fillmore House Museum.