Syracuse's nickname as “The Salt City” is just one of the stories you'll uncover when you visit the Salt Museum. The facility was built with timbers from an actual 19th century salt warehouse. The venue explains how in the mid-1800s, “boiling blocks” were used to boil salt water and evaporate the brine which left the salt behind. Syracuse went on to become the national leader in the production of salt, and the museum traces the many aspects of this unique area history. Visitors can see artifacts and attractions like wooden barrels, kettles, a saltworkers “neighborhood” and a full-scale reproduction boiling block.
The Onondaga Historical Association Museum is one of the largest and most respected regional facilities in the area. It has amazing stories to tell, some of which reach back to include over 300 years of natural, cultural, artistic and industrial history that are all presented in a wide variety of exhibits. One of the museum's largest and most popular exhibits is the Underground Railroad exhibit and Syracuse's role in its establishment. Unlike various other museums, this is a non-interactive, “look-don't-touch” facility, so parents with small children are advised to monitor them closely.