The History Center in Tompkins County - Children's Education Area

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Children's Education Area

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AREA

A small rectangular image of the desks and shelves in the Children's Educational Area.

An image of two young girls looking at a map. One girl holds a magnifying glass.

A rectangular image of colorful letter magnets that read "Tompkins Census". The 'n' in census uses a horizonal z and the 's' uses a 5.

A small rectangular photo of a chalkboard and book on a desk in the Children's Educational Area.

Located in the back right corner of our Exhibit Hall, the Children's Education Area is modeled after the Eight

A photo of two young girl sitting at the desks in the Children's Educational Area. Each girls holds a doll in her hand.

Square Schoolhouse located in Dryden NY. The children's area in our Exhibit Hall has a working antique cash register, school desks, books, puzzles, building blocks, slates and chalk.

You can request coloring sheets, puzzles, Exhibit Hall Scavenger Hunt, and activity guides for different ages from the front desk when you arrive.

Available Activities for All Ages (3-103):

Borrow a Book (see below)
Explore the Museum Activity Crates
Ithaca Kitty & Tommy Plane coloring sheets
Exhibit Hall Scavenger Hunt
Let's Feel (The Heritage Lab)
Let's Learn (The Heritage Lab)
Let's Look (The Heritage Lab)
Tippy Tippy Tap (The Heritage Lab)

BORROW A BOOK AT THE MUSEUM!

An image of some of the books available in the "Borrow A Book" crate. An Ithaca Kitty is also in the crate. Enjoy story time during your museum visit! We have over 30 children's book titles related to local history available at our front desk! Books cover a range of topics and reading levels.

Children and families can "check out" up to three books to read during their visit. Check the front jacket cover for information about how these books connect to Tompkins County history!

BOOK TOPICS

Working at a museum or historic site
Erie Canal history
Haudenosaunee history & indigenous stories
Black American history and historic people who visited Tompkins County
Finger Lakes history
Amish & Mennonite stories and experiences
Aviation history and famous fliers!
Suffrage and famous women who visited Tompkins County

All books must be returned before you leave. Thank you to local booksellers Autumn Leaves Used Books and Buffalo Street Books for providing us with such a wonderful selection!

An image of the "red brick" exterior of the Children's Educational Area.

An image of the interior of the Children's Educational Area. Inside are two desks, a bookcase, and other toys.

Please explore the local Inclusive Recreation Resource Center's profile of our handicap accessibility here.

An image that shows a wheelchair with a red heart and text that reads "Inclusive Recreation Resource Center".

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 for 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.