Cazenovia was established in 1794 by John Lincklaen, a young Dutch naval officer who purchased the town under the auspices of the Holland Land Company. Some of the first buildings established in Cazenovia were what is now the Presbyterian Church and the company store. The town is named after Theophilus Cazenove, an agent with the land company. The village was incorporated in 1810 and was the first
county seat (until 1817). Many of the village's historic buildings are encompassed by the Albany Street Historic District and Cazenovia Village Historic District.[1][2] Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the Lehigh Valley Railroad Depot.[3]
In 1850 Cazenovia was the site of a famous convention organized by abolitionist Gerrit Smith and chaired by former slave Frederick Douglass to protest the proposed Fugitive Slave Act.[4]
The Lorenzo State Historic Site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in July 1970.[3] This land, located off Route 13 (Rippleton Road), now belongs to the NY Historic Start Trust after being bought from the previous owner, George Ledyard, upon his death. There is a school house, mansion, farmhouse, and a landscaped garden that guests can tour throughout the year by appointment or during regular hours.[5]
