The History Center in Tompkins County, Ithaca

About The History Center in Tompkins County

The History Center in Tompkins County is a museum where visitors explore the region's past through exhibits, archives, and guided programs. The centerpiece is the Exhibit Hall, which currently displays "The Power of Water: A Dam Good Exhibit," featuring artifacts and archival documents about floods, dams, mills, and water's role across Tompkins County. The center houses historical collections including a standing eight-square schoolhouse, scrapbooks, and local records available by appointment with the archivist. Visitors can join guided tours through Downtown Ithaca, participate in educational programs at the Tompkins Center for History and Culture, or engage in the Tompkins Treasure Hunt puzzle adventure. The facility includes a research library and connects visitors with the Community Arts Partnership ArtSpace and Downtown Visitors Center in the same building. Located in Ithaca, New York, the center suits anyone interested in local history, genealogy, or community heritage, whether spending an hour in the exhibit space or conducting deeper archival research.