The John W. Jones Museum in Elmira, New York. Photo courtesy of a private collection.

Our purpose is to preserve the home of John W. Jones and related artifacts in memory of his role and the roles of others in the Southern Tier involved in the Underground Railroad and the American Civil War and to serve as a heritage and cultural center that conveys the African-American experience of the Southern Tier of New York through history and education, focusing on contributions and involvement in the past and present community.