April 28, 2026, Canandaigua, NY — Visit Finger Lakes (www.VisitFingerLakes.com) officially launched the Finger Lakes Virtual Museum on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during National Historic Marker Weekend. The milestone event, attended by New York State Senator Pamela Helming and regional officials, also featured the presentation of a New York State Senate citation recognizing the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection (FLVC)’s efforts in preserving and promoting local history.
As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States, the launch marks a defining moment for Ontario County. “The Finger Lakes did not just witness American history—we helped make it,” said Alicia M. Richie, President & CEO of Visit Finger Lakes. “So it’s no coincidence that in this milestone year, we are launching a living digital museum to ensure that those stories are told fully, proudly, and accessibly for generations to come.”
The launch event brough together FLVC’s Board of Directors representative Steven Fuller, Ontario County Administrator Christopher DeBolt, and Ontario County Historical Society Executive Director, Ulana Fuller, highlighting broad community and government support and new ways of sharing local history through technology while reinforcing the importance of historic preservation.
Senator Helming emphasized the region’s rich heritage and the Virtual Museum’s potential to drive economic growth. The Virtual Museum launch comes against a backdrop of significant regional economic impact. In 2024, tourism generated $377.7 million in visitor spending in Ontario County, according to the Tourism Economic Impact Report by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, for Empire State Development and I LOVE NY.
"What truly sets the Finger Lakes apart is our history. With the launch of the Finger Lakes Virtual Museum, we are preserving that history and making it more accessible than ever for residents and visitors alike. Tourism is one of our most powerful economic drivers, and this innovative platform will inspire people to stay longer, explore more, and support the small businesses, restaurants, and lodging that keep our communities strong. Thank you to the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection team, including current President & CEO Alicia M. Richie and past President & CEO Valerie Knoblauch, for their vision and leadership in bringing this project to life. I am proud to support this smart investment in honoring our past and strengthening our future," said Senator Helming.
Timed to coincide with National Historic Marker Weekend, the launch also spotlighted the connection between the Virtual Museum and 79 historic markers, both new and existing, throughout Ontario County. Visit Finger Lakes is encouraging public participation through a scavenger hunt running through May 25, 2026, with prizes donated by regional partners, including Ganondagan State Historic Site, Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion, RMSC Cumming Nature Center, Bristol Mountain, and others.
“National Historic Marker Weekend is a fun, community service celebration that invites everyone to participate in showcasing local history by caring for historical markers,” said Steve Bodnar, associate director for strategic marketing at the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. “Visit Finger Lakes’ milestone event on Marker Weekend is a fitting example of this spirit in action, bringing people together to meaningfully connect with history.”
The Virtual Museum is available to explore and download at museum.flvm.org/. Scavenger hunt details and participation information are available at https://www.visitfingerlakes.com/virtual-museum/launch-event/.
About Visit Finger Lakes/Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
Visit Finger Lakes, the public-facing brand of Finger Lakes Visitors Connection (FLVC), is the official tourism promotion agency for Ontario County. Organized in 1984, the mission of our 501(c)(3) is to stimulate economic growth through both leisure and meeting travel and increase the number of overnight stays across the county.
Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, within a 6-hour drive radius of most major East Coast and Midwest cities, Ontario County provides friendly and authentic lakeside experiences, from award-winning wines and farm-to-table cuisine to rich history and outdoor adventures.
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Media Contacts:
Alicia M. Richie
President & CEO
Alicia@VisitFingerLakes.com
Carolina Taylor
PR & Content Associate
Carolina@visitfingerlakes.com