Embark on a journey into the past to learn some of the history of the Tompkins County
Ithaca City Downtown Historic Marker
Introduction
From humble beginnings of being a small commercial center at the head of Cayuga Lake, to now being the deeply rooted city in Central New York. Ithaca is most known for its Universities, and Scenic Outdoors to Explore, Ithaca has a lot of history to be discovered, here are some of our recommendations on where to start.
The History Center In Tompkins County
The History Center is a great place to start, as it’s resources on Ithaca’s History is second to none. The exhibit has self guided tours and are usually about an hour long. Apart of the Center, The Cornell Local History Research Library and Archives has a collection of over 100,000 photographs, genealogy for over 2,000 Tompkins County Families, and more.
Website: https://thehistorycenter.net/
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 10 AM-6 PM
Location: 110 North Tioga Street (On the Ithaca Commons), Ithaca NY, 14850 USA
Cornell University
Established in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell University is a Private Ivy-League Institution in Ithaca. With an over 700-acre Campus, this university is loaded with history, sure to keep every history buff searching for more. From its historic buildings, to the history that walks the halls of Lynah Rink, there is so much to uncover and discover in Collegetown. We suggest starting at the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center, or simply text ‘Cornell’ to 58052 to get info on the app for Self-Guided Campus Tours.
Website: https://www.cornell.edu/visit/
Location: Martin Y Tang Welcome Center, 616 Thurston Ave, Ithaca, NY, 14853
Museum Of The Earth
Get a chance to explore Earth and its past. You definitely want to add this stop to your visit and learn more about the planet we call home. Some of the pieces and artifacts in the exhibits will leave you speechless, and will put into perspective how large some of these prehistoric creatures really were. The museum is home to over 4.5 Million years of history.
A Wooley Mammoth Skeleton, One of the many prehistoric artifacts in the exhibits of the Museum of Earth
Website: https://www.museumoftheearth.org/
Location: 1259 Trumansburg Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14850
Explore Ithaca’s Historic Districts
Ithaca now lists three historic districts to help preserve the aesthetic, and culture of the city. Some of the notable places to visit are:
Stunning View of the Dewitt Mall in Downtown Ithaca
Dewitt Mall
In the heart of Dewitt Park Historic District is the Dewitt Mall. Built in 1914, The original building of Ithaca High School is now home to dining, shopping, and other Office Space. Be sure to stop in and try some food at Moosewood Restaurant, or buy some products from Ithaca Made.
Clinton Hall
Right next to The Commons, Clinton Hall is a preserved Historic Site. Although, its main use is for private offices and meeting rooms. Its third floor is home to a 500-seat auditorium.
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