Since 1996, the Madison County Historical Society has been celebrating Madison County's Hop Heritage. Over 200 years ago, Madison County resident James Coolidge introduced commercial hop growing to New York State by bringing a rootstock from New England. By 1828, eleven NYS counties were raising hops. Madison, Oneida, and Otsego Counties raised nearly 80% of the nation's hops by 1880. The Madison County Hop Fest celebrates the past, present and prosperous future of the hop industry in Madison County and throughout New York.