New Exhibit: Puppet Mastery of the Northeast and Beyond

The History Center is tucked into the Tompkins County Center for History and Culture, just behind the atrium. But for the next few months, we'll be spilling out into the atrium with a larger-than-life display featuring puppets from Ithaca and beyond. They're suspended from the ceiling, delicately arranged in transparent cases, and posed for the spotlight.

A parade puppet of Mother Earth hangs in one corner of the Atrium. Her arms are outstretched and her hair is immaculate.  In the central display case, there are marionettes complete with moving lips and dancing shoes. In front of the window is a selection of felted puppets from Lilypad Puppet Theater, Ithaca's local puppet arts non-profit. These are just some of the whimsical and intense pieces filling the space. 

Image shared by Becky Dewitt, Volunteer Docent

The exhibit will be on display throughout May, 2025, and you can visit whenever the History Center in Tompkins County is open, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. We'll be closed throughout the month of January to reset the primary exhibit hall. 

This exhibit was curated by TJ Jacobs, puppeteer, artist, and founder of Basically Good Puppet Theater. 

This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the Cook/Marks Fund. The grant also extended support for the creation of a puppet collection at The History Center in Tompkins County, significantly contributing to the preservation of our local and regional puppet history in Central New York.

So often, what happens to be preserved is a happenstance of financial resources, awareness, and luck. Visionaries like puppeteer and collector Alan Cook and philanthropist Jacqueline Marks recognize the absence of funding for important work like preservation, cataloguing, and conservation; thanks to their generosity, through a donor-advised fund at the California Community Foundation we are able to bring members of our community together to create and then steward a legacy of Tompkins County puppetry for future generations. It is our sincere hope that long into the future, our community can be delighted and thrilled by the incredible local legacy of puppetry. 

Cook/Marks Fund Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/CookMarksFund/

Putting the "Trains" in "Trains, Planes, and Automobiles"

As the History Center in Tompkins County gears up for the 2025 exhibit, "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with Buses, Boats, and Bikes," we’re thrilled to give you an insider look at one of the centerpiece themes: Trains. From miniature recreations to evocative historical artifacts, this exhibit promises to transport visitors to the heyday of rail travel in Tompkins County and beyond.

Spotlight on Miniatures: Dave Fogel's Ithaca Trains

Renowned local model maker Dave Fogel is crafting a miniature recreation of Ithaca’s historical train routes, bringing the intricate details of our railroads to life. This custom-built model showcases key points along Ithaca’s distinct rail lines, immersing viewers in a bygone era when trains wove through the steep hills and valleys of the county. He's building on-site, and after the closure of the exhibit hall this Saturday, he'll continue crafting in the familiar "Passage Through Time" (you may know it better as the Rutabaga Vault).

Drama on the Rails: Local Railroad History

The history of railroading in Tompkins County reads like a novel—complete with controversies, romance, disasters, and cutting-edge invention. Between the mid-1800s and the 20th century, more than 50 different railroad corporations were established here, each shaping the county's landscape. From the coal trade's critical role in Ithaca's economy to the challenges of building on rugged terrain, the railroads tell the story of ambition and ingenuity.

Illuminating the Past: Railroad Lanterns

One exhibit case will highlight vintage railroad lanterns, such as a kerosene lantern embossed with "L.V.R.R." for the Lehigh Valley Railroad. These artifacts illuminate how workers signaled and operated in the dark before the advent of modern lighting. The lantern collection showcases the evolution from whale oil to kerosene to electric lights, underscoring the innovative spirit of railroading pioneers.

Your Ticket to Ride

This exhibit opens in early 2025 and promises to be an unforgettable journey through the rich transportation history of Tompkins County.