The History Center in Tompkins County

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Guided Tours | Self Guided Tours | Other Historic Tours of Tompkins County

TOURS

GUIDED TOURS

In collaboration with Historic Ithaca and Ithaca Heritage, The History Center regularly collaborates and hosts guided educational history tours of Tompkins County. These include annual programs like the Historic Pub Crawl (spring), Haunted History Tours (October), as well as regular guided tours of the Exhibit Hall, Research Library, and living history programs at the Eight Square Schoolhouse.

These tours are lead by our volunteer Heritage Ambassadors, and staff members. Also in collaboration with Historic Ithaca and Ithaca Heritage we have helped create over 40 self-guided tours with the PocketSights app exploring Tompkins County (scroll down to see selections of these tours).

Individuals or groups interested in scheduling guided tours of The History Center should contact community@thehistorycenter.net for adult tours, and eightsquare@thehistorycenter.net for youth and school tours or field trips. We are not able to accommodate all requested times for tours so in your email please include a few possibilities.

**INSIDER TIP** Our community partner (but separate organization) Historic Ithaca regularly hosts architectural tours in the community. For information on registering and paying for their events please visit their website at historicithaca.org

SELF-GUIDED TOURS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY

ITHACA HERITAGE POCKETSIGHTS TOURS

PocketSights is a FREE mobile tour guide app. Anyone with a smart phone or tablet can download the app for free from the App Store and immediately access thousands of self-guided tours around the world.

Ithaca Heritage, Historic Ithaca, The History Center in Tompkins County and other local non-profits have been partnering with PocketSights since 2017 in developing over 40 walking, biking, and driving historic tours of Ithaca and Tompkins County. Download the app today and start exploring! Be sure to tag us at @tompkinshistory in any pictures you share to social media!

**There are additional PocketSights tours in Tompkins County that highlight local art, co-ops, geology, waterfalls, college campuses, and other notable sites. The tours below specifically highlight only local history.

20 Historical Bridges in Tompkins County

Wharton Studio Silent Film Tour

Barns of Tompkins County

Ithaca Literary Tour

Ithaca Women of Note

Tompkins County Veteran's Memorials

The Southside Loop

Ithaca LGBTQ History

History Hike of Ithaca

DeWitt Park Historic District

Lower East Hill Historic District

Beebe Lake Tour

Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown Ithaca

Religious Buildings in Downtown Ithaca

HistoryForge Day 2017: Connecting the Generations

Cornell Heights Historic Driving Tour

Ezra Cornell Historic Tour

Ithaca College: A Walking Tour of Its Downtown Roots

Stewart Park History

William Henry Miller Lower Collegetown Architecture Walking Tour

The Village of Dryden

The Village of Cayuga Heights

The Historic Hamlet of Brooktondale

The Village of Trumansburg

HISTORIC TOURS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY

Six Mile Creek

Six Mile Creek, called Teegastoweas Creek in the earliest map of Ithaca, winds its way for twenty miles from its headwaters in the Town of Dryden, through the forests and fields of the Town of Caroline, the hamlets of Slaterville Springs and Brooktondale, and on down to its outlet on Cayuga Lake. It has long served as the source of the City of Ithaca’s drinking water, and therefore remains a vital resource for Tompkins County.

Exploring Fall Creek History

Names tell a story. Known to the Cayugas as Gayogo̱hó:nǫ, Fall Creek flows past Tompkins County places whose names pronounce its natural wonders.Dive into these selected place name histories of Fall Creek sites to gain a unique perspective on the people who have shaped and been shaped by Tompkins County’s natural heritage.

Cemeteries of Tompkins County

This interactive map lists all the cemeteries in Tompkins County including family cemeteries, and settlement cemeteries. Grab a copy of our Cemetery Scavenger Hunt for extra fun before you go!

Tompkins County Railroad Tour

Self-guided bus tour prepared by David Rossiter. Explores 36 railroad locations in Tompkins County.

Tour Guide PDF and Tour Map

Black History in Ithaca

Since Ithaca’s founding in 1804, Southside has been home to interesting, dedicated people committed to the preservation and enrichment of their and their community’s Black heritage, culture, and way of life.

Ithaca History Walk #1

Download the Geocaching Adventures app to access the first in our series of local history adventures throughout Tompkins County. The walk will take about one hour and traverse 1 1/2 miles throughout Downtown Ithaca, directing you to different historic locations.

OTHER GUIDED TOURS IN TOMPKINS COUNTY

Tompkins County has a wealth of beautiful views, delicious food, and educational experiences. Below are some community partners who host regular tours on a range of topics and experiences. You can also explore Visit Ithaca to see upcoming events in the region.