HOURS OPEN - Weds-Sat 10AM - 6PM CLOSED - Sunday-Tuesday ----------------------------------- Cornell Local History Research Library & Archives DROP-IN - Saturday 10AM - 3PM The archives are open by appointment all other days. Please contact archives@thehistorycenter.net regarding research options. | The History Center is offering self-guided visits to our state-of-the-art Exhibit Hall including our Timeline Tunnel, Story Vault, Children's Education Area, access to our six exhibit towers, and a close look at our 106 year old Tommy Plane! Private visits with only your group can be reserved in advance, walk-in's can also be accommodated during all our open days. How long should I plan for my visit? We suggest planning for at least an hour to explore the Exhibit Hall, but you may stay as long as you like. We encourage everyone to also explore the Community Arts Partnership ArtSpace/Gallery and Downtown Visitors Center also located on the first floor of our building. Our museum and programs are open and accessible to people of all abilities. Learn more on our Accessibility page. If a member of your group has sensory sensitivities or physical/visual/auditory limitations please reach out to us with any questions or concerns about our exhibits and the space. We're happy to offer adjustments and options to ensure an enjoyable visit for everyone. |
If you have difficulty with the booking software, call 607-273-8284 ext. 229 and leave a message with your preferred visit time, and we will call you back to confirm.
We try to accommodate visiting groups outside our normal operating hours when possible. Please contact community@thehistorycenter.net if you'd like to visit the museum or schedule a group field trip outside our normal operating hours.
Group bookings must be made 24 hours in advance to secure a specific time slot.
We can accommodate walk-in visitors without appointments most days.
EXPLORE THE MUSEUM ACTIVITY CRATES
Add adventure and fun to your museum visit by reserving one of our Explore the Museum Activity Crates! Filled with puzzles, books, crafting projects, coloring pages, and scavenger hunts for the museum.
Activity Crates can be checked out for $5 when scheduling your visit. Kids may take home all work sheets and coloring pages, but other supplies and games must be returned to the front desk at the end of your visit.
HEALTH & SAFETY: Following each use crates and activities will be kept out of rotation for three days before going through a full sanitation process. Thanks to grant funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, we were able to purchase multiple sets of activities in each crate, allowing us to rotate them while maintaining necessary health and safety standards.
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These materials were purchased with funds from a New York State Council on the Arts 2020 Youth Programming grant.
Health & Safety Protocols
Private visits with masked and vaccinated staff are still available at no cost (although donations are appreciated) for any visitors concerned about covid-19 exposure. Private visits must be scheduled in advance. Once your group is checked in, Exhibit Hall doors will be shut and the space will be solely for your group to explore for one hour.
We will continue to monitor both state guidance and recommendations from the Tompkins County Health Department and will evaluate and update policies as needed.
Review our full list of Health & Safety Protocols.
If you have any reflections or suggestions on how we could improve our practices for your comfort please contact Ben Sandberg at director@thehistorycenter.net.
Please explore the local Inclusive Recreation Resource Center's profile of our handicap accessibility here.
This profile includes detailed information regarding the physical layout of the Exhibit Hall and Research Library, and alternate methods for engaging with our exhibits and materials for individuals with impaired sight or hearing. Print out visitor guides and auditory visitor guides can be requested at the docent desk to the right of the front entrance to the Exhibit Hall.
We do not have a parking lot associated with our building, however visitors with physical and/or movement impairment are encouraged to contact us at community@thehistorycenter.net in advance, and when possible they may use one of two staff parking spaces by the back entrance of our building. These spaces may not be used without advance communication.
Email community@thehistorycenter.net with any questions or feedback.
We have two wheelchairs available for visitor use within the building. Ask at the front desk or email community@thehistorycenter.net to reserve them in advance of your visit.
TCHC PARTNERS ON THE FIRST FLOOR