The History Center in Tompkins County

The History Center is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency.

The History Center is a member of Ithaca's Discovery Trail.

For the up-to-date Ithaca events calendar visit ithacaevents.com

Local Links:

Ithaca Forward

Historic Ithaca

Tompkins County Historic Maps

Tompkins County Historian

TCPL Local History Online

The Waterfront District Association of Ithaca

Art & Anthropology Inc.

Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

Kids Discover the Trail!

Institute for European Studies

History Made Daily at The History Center

Second Annual West End Waterfront Rhiner Festival The Country Fair Comes to the Rhine Saturday, September 11th, 2010.

framed photo Win a Piece of Local History! In conjunction with the exhibition, 'Verne Morton: Rural Artist' (on view May 7th through September 2010) The History Center is raffling off three framed Verne Morton prints, as well as a copy of the book: 'Great Possibilities: 150 Verne Morton Photographs.'

cows Verne Morton: Rural Artist For nearly 50 years local photographer Verne Morton (1868-1945) devoted himself to photograping Tompkins County rural and village life. To honor the life’s work of this beloved local artist, The History Center, in partnership with the Dryden Mutual Insurance Company who are celebrating their 150-year anniversary in May 2010, are pleased to present this special exhibition of Morton’s work.

cows No Place for a Woman: Tompkins County Nurses in the Civil War In this special History Café edition, join Tompkins County Historian Carol Kammen, along with the Deputy Newfield Historian Rosemary Rowland, and City Historian Mary L. White, as they talk about the role of Civil War nurses.

cows This Was Now Drawn from The History Center's photographic collection and other sources, the images presented use a layered photo-performative technique to reveal some of Ithaca's heritage.

Ghost Walks and Historical Tours Monthly Saturday evening walking tours which take place around the full moon. The tour is a one-hour guided walk focusing on the darker aspects of Ithaca's past.

Fall Book Group Evocative novels and chilling detective stories have been set in our part of Central New York. How have writers depicted Ithaca?

The Greek Arrival A month-long celebration of local Greek immigration and influence.

Exit Saigon - Enter Little Saigon Mid-Autumn Festival A traditional Vietnamese & Asian inspired celebration of the children in the community.

Full-scale 'Tommy Scout' wing A group of Tompkins County aviation enthusiasts are connecting the past and present to remind the community of an important aspect of Finger Lakes industrial history, while re-energizing a generation's interest in flying.

Images of Teen Girls in Magazines Kudos to The History Center's Paul Miller and Donna Eschenbrenner, who advised on a project done by the women in "Girlstories," a course taught in the Summer College for High School Students at Ithaca College during the summer of 2010.

The Ups & Downs of a Rural Line Veteran railroader David Marcham has produced a veritable handbook of country railroading in The Ups & Downs of a Rural Line--the daily jobs of train and enginemen, dispatchers and the entrepreneurs above them.

The History Center's Group Tours Guided walking tours of Ithaca's past and haunted history.

Timeline of African American History Visit our timeline of African American History.

women Women Making a Difference in Tompkins County The History Center commemorates Women’s History Month with an on-line exhibit celebrating the lives of nine very memorable local women.

thought bubble Kids' Letters to President Obama The Hstory Center and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center asked students to write a letter to President Barack Obama.

verne morton Verne Morton… A Photographer Who Made the Commonplace Compelling! The History Center's online photo store now includes a series of five pages where you can view and purchase these amazing photographs.

Ithaca Journal Headquarters, 1907 HistoryCam Walking Tour Now Available Step through Time in Downtown Ithaca is a great opportunity for the whole family to learn about Ithaca's wonderful past. Take the tour today!