AUBURN - Cayuga County holds a rich tradition of local history. But many people who live here have no idea what life was like for the people who lived here 100 years ago.

For its first exhibit of the year, the Cayuga Museum is giving guests a small glimpse into the everyday life of Cayuga County and its people during the 19th and early 20th century.

"The images are about life in Auburn," said Lisa Backus, a docent at the museum, during the opening day of the exhibit Saturday afternoon. "It is our local history."

The exhibit, "From Plate to Print" is a collection of photographic images produced from glass plate negatives. Most depict scenes of daily life in Auburn and Cayuga County: a corn-shucking party, haying time, and a haircut and shave at the local barber, the photographs are a rare glimpse into daily activities of the era.

"The photos are about a large amount of different things," Backus said. "It is important that the images be preserved."

Many of the images have never been printed before, but have remained in glass plate form for almost a century.

In print form these precious images can be better preserved for generations to come.

The invention of glass plate negatives caused a surge in photography, with images chemically affixed to delicate glass plates supported with a binder.

Images in the negative form are prone to flaking, scratching and breakage and must be handled with care.

The museum is conducting a printing from each of the glass plate negatives in its collection and will share them with the public.

Images include daily life behind the walls of the Auburn Prison, life on the lake, and even some family portraits.

Some images in the exhibit are tagged with an invitation for guests to figure out where in the county the photo was taken.

Copies of images in the exhibit are also available for sale.

The exhibit will be exchanged with new prints in two months.