History of the New York State Museum

TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Our history of inquiry, discovery, and education began in 1836 when we were established as the State Geological and Natural History Survey. Over the years, we have grown into a major research and an educational institution dedicated to preserving New York's rich artistic, social, historical, and environmental legacies under the leadership of the New York State Education Department.

1836 - 1899
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1900 - 1949
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1950 - Present

1911: Fire in the State Capitol

On March 29, 1911, fire broke out in the Capitol. From the Assembly Library, it spread to the State Library near several museum displays on temporary exhibit there. Flame, water, and breakage due to the collapse of the sandstone ceiling brought almost total destruction to those collections.

Of 10,000 archaeological artifacts and ethnographic objects, only about 1,500 were recovered, most of which were damaged. A mere 512 retained identifiable catalog numbers. Of all of the items exhibited, the Lewis H. Morgan collection suffered the greatest loss.

State Capitol on Fire

1912: Museum Moves into Newly Constructed State Education Building

By the early 1900s, the Museum had outgrown its space in Geological Hall. John M. Clarke, museum director appointed in 1904, noted, "With an intolerable space problem, it was welcome news that the Museum would be consolidated in new quarters with the building of the new State Education Building in 1912."

Although open to the public in 1915, a dedication ceremony hosted by former President Theodore Roosevelt was held on December 29, 1916. "A museum of this character," he stated, "has more than one function to fulfill. It must present to the people as a whole in vivid and yet truthful form, knowledge of the natural objects of our country-side. . . in such a fashion as to be readily understood."

State Education Building

1914: Publication of Birds of New York

In 1910 and 1914, the Museum published the two-volume Birds of New York. Written by Elon Eaton and illustrated by famous bird artist Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the publication not only proved to be immensely popular, but established a new standard for State bird monographs.

A truly sumptuous publication because of the detailed scientific descriptions of every bird species in New York, at a cost of $6.00 for both volumes, Birds of New York was very expensive for its time. In order to make it more accessible to schools and the general public, a reprint consisting of just the 106 color plates was made on inexpensive paper. This reduced the cost 90 percent and the reprints were sold for only 60 cents.

Illustration by Louis Agassiz Fuertes

1918: Iroquois Dioramas

The Iroquois Indian "Life Groups" (dioramas) were one of the most popular exhibits of the State Museum in the State Education Building. Modeled from life-casts of Native Americans, the three-dimensional portraits were cast by Casper Mayer and Henri Marchand, under the direction of Museum Archaelogist Arthur C. Parker. The colossal 60x20 foot backdrop paintings were done by Albany artist David Lithgow.

For over 50 years after their dedication in 1918, Parker's dioramas were considered the finest series of anthropological groups of their kind for their exhaustive attention to detail and unique approach as an educational tool.

Mohawk Warrior Group

1926: First Non-Geologist Appointed Director of the State Museum

For the first time in its 90-year history, leadership passed from the hands of the geologists. Dr. Charles C. Adams, trained as a zoologist and ecologist, served as director of the New York State Museum from 1926 to 1943.

Under Adam's supervision, the Museum’s scope, deeply rooted in geology and paleontology, grew quickly in other natural and social history areas such as botany, entomology, zoology, archaeology, ethnology, and most notably in history and art.

Charles Adams

1927: First Museum Education Program Launched

The State Museum's first education program was a summer school of natural history conducted with the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences at the Allegany State Park. The primary aim of the school was to give practical field instruction in geography and geology to public school teachers and leaders of youth organizations who might otherwise never experience nature outside of the city.

Today, the Museum offers a variety of educational programs, including Museum Education Institute programs that introduce teachers to the research process, and summer camps and after-school care programs for children.

Student group working outdoors c. 1955

1936: The New York State Museum Turns 100

April 15, 1936, marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first scientific agency of the New York state government—the State Geological and Natural History Survey of which the State Museum is a direct descendant.

At that time, the Museum was regularly visited each year by 200,000 persons, including large numbers of school children and tourists.

State Education Building

1944: Museum Reorganizes into Three Distinct Sections

The Regents approved a threefold functional organization for the Museum proposed by the new director, Carl E. Guthe (1943-52), with scientific, curatorial, and educational programs and staff.

This led to the creation of the State Science Service in 1945 and the Museum Education Office in 1947.

A museum educator leads a school group in a discussion about the Cohoes and Temple Hill Mastodons

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