The Caroga Historical Association was formed in January of 1977. The need for a museum in Caroga was realized as the result of research that Barbara McMartin, a local author, had been doing for a publication of her book “Caroga”, the town’s first history book. She found that many people, besides giving information, had old tools and other artifacts they were willing to loan for public display. With dedicated fervor and high spirits, Barbara and other association members set out to collect articles suitable for a museum exhibit. Space was donated by the owner of the old Unger Ice House, Mike Steciak, and so the Caroga Historical Museum was launched in June, 1977. Lena Durey was the Association’s charter president, and Barbara McMartin became the museum’s director for the first four summer seasons.
In 1981, the association looked for and found a new site for its museum: the old Arnst family homestead. 
The “homestead” previously a tanner’s home, had been moved from its original site near the former tannery and reassembled on its present site on London Bridge Road. The land had originally been owned by Eune Arnst, a cobbler and craftsman who bought 12 acres of land on London Bridge Road. Eune Arnst was the great grandfather of Emmeran Arnst, from whom the association purchased the property. The land had been kept and occupied by the Arnst family members through four generations. 
The authentic rustic cobbler’s shop which is still on the museum grounds was used by Eune Arnst. After two years of fundraisers and generous donations, the mortgage was fully paid and the Caroga Historical Association & Museum owned the property. With the help of the Argersinger Fund, the garage was converted to a charming replica of a 19th Century general store.
The barn that had been on the property collapsed after a few years. Martha Kunkel, a leader of the former Girl Scout camp Kowaumkami told the museum association the camp’s barn was available and would be donated if the Caroga Historical Association could supply the manpower to disassemble it, relocate it to the museum site and reassemble it. This pegged barn, built in 1860 in Bleecker by the Rhinehart family, was truly a historic building. In 1902 it was sold to Peter Stock, who relocated it to East Caroga, off Fisher Road. In the 1920’s it became the property of Camp Kowaumkami. With the help of the Arnst brothers, Francis and Emmeran and a score of volunteer workers, the barn was again transplanted, board by board to its present location, on the same site where the collapsed barn had stood. It was no longer possible to use pegs in the reassembling job, but the same materials were used, alternating a style of board and batten. The barn well honors its illustrious past, having on display old farm tools, a permanent exhibit from the Wheeler Claflin Tanning Co., and two gloriously colorful quilts. Each quilt square depicts a landmark or scene from Caroga, and designed and quilted mostly by Association members. The barn is used for summer workshops, association meetings, speakers, art shows, concerts and is the home of exhibits which change yearly.
In the fall of 2005, Doug and Judy Smith donated an ice house which was originally owned by Doug’s grandfather. It formerly stood on their land at Green Lake. The ice house helps children understand life before refrigeration.
During the summer of 2005, the museum added a 30 X 40’ replica of the old Sherman Arcade from Sherman’s Amusement Park that was a Caroga Lake tourist attraction for many years. The park is no longer open, but many people have fond memories of times spent at the park. The Arcade addition to the museum was realized by a very generous donation from Janet Sherman Shepard, donations from community residents, grants and fundraisers. The building was constructed by the volunteer labor of Robert Kane and many helpers. John Papa loaned many Sherman Arcade games for display. Janet Sherman Shepard and Fay Sherman Allen donated their father’s desk, ledgers, tools and many of his inventions that are displayed in the Arcade building. The Arcade opened June, 2006. It is frequently visited by people who enjoy reminiscing about memories of carefree days at the lake.
The 2008 summer exhibit was a collaborative effort by the Adirondack Museum of Blue Mountain Lake and the Caroga Historical Museum. The exhibit was housed at the Caroga Museum. The unique summer long exhibit curated by Alec Reid: “Adirondack Trappers” featured two legendary frontiersmen, trappers, hunters and guides: Nick Stoner and “French Louie” Seymour. The exhibit explored early pioneer life in the Adirondacks. The Nick Stoner exhibit is on permanent display in the barn.
In 2010, a pole barn was added to house some antique farm equipment.
We are proud to display a thrasher that was donated to the museum. We get lots of questions about this machine.
In 2011, we were happy to purchase the arcade machines that had previously been on loan to the museum. This purchase insured the exhibit will be permanent. There is a goal to keep adding to the exhibit as discoveries are found.
In 2012, the Caroga Museum celebrated a 35th anniversary with a Brooks Barbecue and music by the Durey Creek band.
In 2013 it was decided to change the design of the Arcade building to become more of a teaching exhibit for our younger visitors who never had the fun of spending time at Sherman’s Amusement Park. The narrative for each exhibit was written by Judith Smith and Christianne Smith designed ceiling to floor panels with pictures to support the narrative. The building was closed for that summer to allow time to redesign the building.
In June, 2014, a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the reopening of the Arcade. Many employees who were associated with Sherman’s Park and many Sherman family members were honored. To commemorate the occasion a special label was designed by Christianne Smith for wine bottles that were sold as souvenirs.
In 2016 it was decided our logo would be a carousel horse. The icon will appear on any Museum printed material.
A new sign with our logo was placed on the Museum lawn in spring of 2017. Also in 2017, a Barn Quilt with our logo was made and hung on the barn.
Due to the Coronavirus, our museum was closed to the public for the summer of 2020. In July of 2020, a virtual tour of the Arcade was added to our website.
Our museum has become a gathering place for the community. 
Our annual craft fair with barbecue, which has grown in recent years, is attended by many visitors. The workshops that are offered during the summer months are well attended. Concerts, guest speakers and our artist openings in July and August attract a large audience.