Explore New York State’s rich natural history and meet leading scientists during the return of the Rock and Fossil Fun Fair at the New York State Museum in Albany. [Read more…] about State Museum’s Rock and Fossil Fun Fair Returns This Weekend
New York State Museum
NY State Museum Celebrating Year of the Snake
The New York State Museum in ringing in the Year of the Snake with new displays, a refreshed Tuck High Co. exhibition, and family-friendly activities. The Museum will host two special Lunar New Year celebrations, giving visitors of all ages a unique opportunity to learn about the oldest continuously operating business in Manhattan’s Chinatown before its closing in 1980, the historic Tuck High Co. [Read more…] about NY State Museum Celebrating Year of the Snake
Governor Hochul’s Proposals Include State Museum, Albany Waterfront
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she wants to spend $400 million to revitalize Albany, including committing $150 million to the State Museum and $35 million to move soon to be announced proposals to re-imagine some of Albany’s Hudson River waterfront into the design phase. [Read more…] about Governor Hochul’s Proposals Include State Museum, Albany Waterfront
Mastodon Remains Discovered in Upstate New York
A remarkable discovery in Orange County, New York, has unearthed a complete mastodon jaw, marking the first such find in the State in over 11 years. The jaw, along with additional bone fragments, was recovered by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange from the backyard of a residence near Scotchtown, in the Town of Wallkill. [Read more…] about Mastodon Remains Discovered in Upstate New York
Margery Ryerson: The Art Spirit Contagious
Margery Ryerson was born in 1886, graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1909, and moved to New York City in 1911, where she lived until her death in 1989 at the age of 102. Ryerson studied under famed art instructors, Robert Henri and Charles W. Hawthorne, and worked with each to compile their classroom lessons into published instructional guides. [Read more…] about Margery Ryerson: The Art Spirit Contagious
Stark’s Knob: Unearthing New York’s Ancient Volcanic Past
Often mistakenly referred to as a volcano, Stark’s Knob near Schuylerville, in Saratoga County, New York, is actually a basaltic pillow lava formation.
Deeded to the New York State Museum in 1916, it formed about 460 to 440 million years ago in relatively shallow sea water as molten rock surged through the sea floor. [Read more…] about Stark’s Knob: Unearthing New York’s Ancient Volcanic Past
The Old State Museum: Old Bones, Extinction & Climate Change
To commemorate the start of another school year, the New York State Museum posted a series of photos on social media from field trips to the original museum, now occupied by the New York State Education Department.
That building, completed in 1912 and distinguished by a colonnade of pillars facing the capitol building, is the place where many of us first saw the State Museum’s zoological collection, which famously included fossils, skeletons and life-sized reconstructions of extinct ice age mammals. [Read more…] about The Old State Museum: Old Bones, Extinction & Climate Change
Lucy and the Beginnings of Humankind
The New York State Museum is hosting a free presentation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Lucy, one of the most iconic fossils in the study of human evolution. On Sunday, November 17, 2024, geochronologist Dr. Jim Aronson will present a look into his pioneering work on the groundbreaking excavation of Lucy’s remains in Hadar, Ethiopia. [Read more…] about Lucy and the Beginnings of Humankind
New York’s Historic Vessels Highlight Preservation Failures
One of America’s most historic ships, which spent most of its career traveling between New York City and Southampton, England, will serve as a kind of metaphor for our times when it’s hauled to Florida, loaded with explosives and purposely sunk.
It’s just one of several historic vessels with ties to New York State that have recently been abandoned for lack of funding. [Read more…] about New York’s Historic Vessels Highlight Preservation Failures
‘Drink Albany’ Beverage Tasting Set For NYS State Museum
The Capital Craft Beverage Trail has announced the return of its popular Drink Albany event.
This year’s celebration will be held at the New York State Museum on October 18, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. (VIP entry begins at 5:00 p.m.). The museum is located at 222 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, Albany, NY. [Read more…] about ‘Drink Albany’ Beverage Tasting Set For NYS State Museum
The Historic Woodstock Art Colony
Long before the famous music festival in 1969, Woodstock, New York was home to what is considered one of America’s first intentionally created, year-round arts colony — founded in 1902. Collecting the remarkable range of work produced there has been Arthur A. Anderson’s focus for three decades, resulting in the largest comprehensive assemblage of its type. [Read more…] about The Historic Woodstock Art Colony
New Exhibit Unravels Presence of Wolves in New York
The New York State Museum has opened a new exhibition, “Canine Contrasts: Unraveling Wolves and Coyotes in New York.” The exhibit features taxidermy mounts and skulls of wolves and coyotes, both species from the Museum’s mammalogy collection. [Read more…] about New Exhibit Unravels Presence of Wolves in New York
Lake George Battlefield Park Archaeology Underway
For the first time since the summer of 2016, Lake George Battlefield Park will be the site of an archaeological survey, to be conducted under the auspices of the Skidmore College Anthropology Department and its Chair, Associate Professor Siobhan Hart. Professor Hart and her students will begin their work on Monday, June 3 and continue over a three-week period. [Read more…] about Lake George Battlefield Park Archaeology Underway
New York State Museum June Programs
The New York State Museum in Albany has announced its upcoming programming for June, offering educational opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages. Through special programs, including events, lectures, exhibits, and a host of online resources, children, families, educators, and students can experience art, science, and history in a fun and engaging way. As indicated in each listing, the following upcoming free programming is available in person or online. [Read more…] about New York State Museum June Programs
The 250 Anniversary of the Revolution in New York: Some Bicentennial Lessons
As we begin gearing up for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, it would be great to have an overarching theme or themes that “explain” New York’s history.
That would be a tall order, given our state’s complex history. But the State Museum and the State Bicentennial Commission attempted it back in 1977. They came up with three themes: materialism, diversity, and change. [Read more…] about The 250 Anniversary of the Revolution in New York: Some Bicentennial Lessons
Unveiled: The New York State Museum’s Wedding Gown Collection
In choosing their wedding clothes, brides and grooms are influenced by fashion, economics, technology, religion, geography, celebrity, personal taste, and their role in society. This was as much the case in the past as it is today.
Wedding clothing holds memories, and pieces — dresses, shoes, suits, and head wear — are often preserved and passed to subsequent generations. A couple’s choices reveal information about both the individuals who wore them and those who made them. [Read more…] about Unveiled: The New York State Museum’s Wedding Gown Collection
March in Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month aims to highlight the achievements and contributions of women in history — in the arts, sciences, politics, athletics, and other fields. Begun as a local movement by teachers in California to celebrate “Women’s History Week,” National Women’s History Week was first recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1980. In 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 establishing March as Women’s History Month. [Read more…] about March in Women’s History Month
February is Black History Month
African American history is New York State history. This year a special exhibition, “The Moral Arc Toward Freedom: Lincoln, King, and the Emancipation Proclamation,” is the centerpiece of the New York State Museum’s observance of Black History Month. [Read more…] about February is Black History Month
Shinnecock Artist Jeremy Dennis To Discuss His Work At New York State Museum
As a contributing artist in the “Each One Inspired: Indigenous Art Across the Homelands Exhibit,” currently open at the New York State Museum through March 31, 2024, contemporary fine art photographer Jeremy Dennis’ work explores the rich Indigenous history on Long Island and helps to reveal the complex, yet inter-dependent relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, as well as the land, water, and animals that co-exist within this region. [Read more…] about Shinnecock Artist Jeremy Dennis To Discuss His Work At New York State Museum
Centering Authentic Indigenous Voices
The latest A New York Minute in History Podcast, celebrates Native American Heritage Month with a conversation regarding how historians can center authentic indigenous voices and work with Native American communities across the state in planning for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. [Read more…] about Centering Authentic Indigenous Voices