HistoryForge is an innovative digital history project combining maps, archival records, and census data that allows any community to explore its local history through the individuals who lived there and the buildings and neighborhoods they lived in.  

Our pilot project began in 2016 and focuses on exploring the history of Ithaca, New York in the late 19th and early 20th century using interactive search functions which allow users to find information on historic maps about people and places.

Ithaca HistoryForge includes over 100,000 digitized census records of Ithacan's from 1910-1940, and is in the process of adding tens of thousands of building records to the database. 

By searching the database using the "Race" filter on different census years you can see where Black neighborhoods existed in the City of Ithaca. 

Each red dot references a self-identified Black individual or family living in the building in the 1930 census. The area shown is the Southside Neighborhood. You can see the names, ages, professions and more of each individual by exploring their census records. 

Educator Reference Materials & Ideas

• Statistics in Schools - Activities & Curriculum Guides - Brings school subjects to life using real-world Census Bureau statistics to create materials for use year after year for K-12 students.  Explore this site for engaging resources and activities in social studies, math, English, geography, sociology and more.
• The Learning Network (NY Times) - Making Sense of the Census: Ideas for Classes Across the Curriculum
• United States Census Bureau - History Worksheets & Lesson Plans

We know research databases can be a little overwhelming to jump into, so we've created some research activities for ages 8 and up to help them get familiar with how to use HistoryForge.

Download the activities by clicking on the pictures and contact historyforge@thehistorycenter.net with any questions. 

Download the complete History at Home Activity Sets here. 

Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Ithaca

Explore our self-guided walking 'Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Ithaca' tour on the free PocketSights App to explore the architecture of Downtown Ithaca. Follow-up with a visit to our Exhibit Hall for our 'Around the Block' exhibit exploring the history of different businesses and structures that existed on our city block on the Ithaca Commons over the centuries. 

Historic Schools of Tompkins County - Driving Tour

Explore our self-guided driving tour 'Historic Schools of Tompkins County' on the free PocketSights App to explore the architecture of Downtown Ithaca. Follow-up with a visit to our Exhibit Hall for the 'Counting Educational Opportunities' exhibit exploring how the census teaches us about education levels across the U.S. and in Tompkins County over the decades.