William H. Seward House

The William H. Seward House Museum, located at 33 South Street between Lincoln and William Streets in Auburn, New York, was the home of William H. Seward, who served as a New York state senator, the governor of New York, a U.S. senator, a presidential candidate, and then Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Among other notable accomplishments, Seward negotiated the 1867 purchase from Russia of Alaska, which became known as "Seward's Folly". Although he spent many years in Albany and Washington, D.C., he called this house his home from the time of his marriage in 1824 until his death.

The house was originally built by his father-in-law, Judge Elijah Miller, in 1816, then substantially modified by the Sewards in 1840 and 1866 to accommodate the diplomatic entertainments expected of his offices. The original 10-room brick house was expanded to over 30 rooms, and was occupied by blood relatives until 1951. The entire house remains furnished with extensive Seward-family collections.