Research & Collections
From its beginning in 1836, the New York State Museum has been home to some of the nation’s leading scientists, including pioneers in archaeology, paleontology, ethnology, and botany. Its collections now rank among the finest in many fields and total more than sixteen million specimens, objects, and artifacts.
Archaeology
Biology
Ethnography
Geology
History
Paleontology
State History1
Research at the New York State Museum today is as exciting as it is varied, with scientists and historians actively directing projects in biology, anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history. Research by staff represents one tangible way in which information about the natural and cultural histories of New York, and the world, is made available to the public. Research findings are presented in scholarly and popular publications, at professional meetings, in exhibitions, and in public programs.
Researchers throughout the world use the collections of the New York State Museum to address questions about New York's natural and human heritage. The Museum’s collections are made available to researchers and scholars and are also used in exhibitions and public programs. Participation in Museum collections curation and research projects is possible through internships and volunteer opportunities.
To explore the Museum’s Research and Collections Division, hover your mouse over the Research and Collections block at the top navigation bar.
News Articles
Fort Ticonderoga Call for Papers
Published June 3, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the Fort Ticonderoga website. Fort Ticonderoga has open Calls for Papers for three of its 2025 Conferences: Virtual "Material Matters: It's in the Details" with a July 1, 2024 deadline. War College of...
New York State Archives Accepting Submissions for 34th Annual Student Research Awards Statewide Competition
Published June 3, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared in a State Education Department press release. The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust are now accepting entries for the 2024 New York State Student Research Awards Statewide Competition, Stat...
Highlight Local History with Fully-Funded Historical Markers in NYC, Long Island and Downstate Counties
Published May 2, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared in a William G. Pomeroy Foundation press release. The next regional round of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s New York State Historic Marker Grant Program is now open. Markers funded through this program comm...
NEH Announces $26.2 Million for 238 Humanities Projects Nationwide
Published May 2, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the National Endowment for the Humanities website. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced $26.2 million in grants for 238 humanities projects across the country. Grants awarded today wil...
Submit Your Path Through History Event
Published May 2, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the I Love NY website. We welcome your partnership as we work together to showcase New York's unparalleled history. Currently, we are accepting submissions for year-round Path Through History (PTH) ...
The NYG&B’s Newest Online Collection: Church of the Transfiguration
Published May 2, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society website. The NYG&B’s Church of the Transfiguration records are the newest, large-scale, searchable edition to our online collections. This ongoing, mon...
Local living history presenter Paul Supley dies at 60
Published April 5, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the Daily Gazette website. We would like to express our condolences to Paul Supley's family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the history community. Paul Supley was always happy to share his love o...
New Podcast Available Now: Grace Leach Hudowalski
Published March 28, 2024 | State History
In celebration of Women’s History Month, this episode tells the story of Grace Leach Hudowalski, the first woman to summit all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks. Besides being an accomplished mountain climber, Grace was also the first president of t...
Register for National Historic Marker Day
Published March 28, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the William G. Pomeroy Foundation website. Welcome volunteers! Complete the form below to register as a National Historic Marker Day participant. Your name, town/city, and state will be featured our acknow...
StoryMakers Internship Application, 2024
Published March 28, 2024 | State History
This article originally appears on the StoryMakers website. StoryMakers: Indigenous American 250 Summer Internship will be an unforgettable research experience. With multiple research centers and archives that steward collections relat...
The National Votes for Women Trail announces New Podcast: Her March to Democracy
Published March 26, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the Her March to Democracy podcast website. Welcome to Her March To Democracy where we're telling stories along the National Votes For Women Trail. The trail chronicles the fight for voting rights for women. ...
New York State Geoparks Highlighted in New Videos
Published March 26, 2024 | Geology
Two videos on classic geologic sites in New York are available from the Geological Society of America “Geoheritage” program. The videos, made by Drs. Ed Landing (New York State Paleontologist, emeritus) and Alexander Bartholomew (SUNY-New Paltz, g...
SUNY Historians Network Pilot Series, Spring 2024: U.S. History
Published March 21, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the SUNY HistoryLab website. Call For future SUNY Historians Network Webinar Presenters (all fields, ideas, topics welcome) Join the SUNY HistoryLab Mailing List ABOUT Beginning in Fall 2023, th...
APHNYS Conference Proposals
Published March 12, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared in an APHNYS newsletter. The APHNYS Program Committee is still accepting proposals for our upcoming 2024 Annual Conference being held on Long Island this year! Our theme, It's a Whale of a Tale: Outstanding...
Registration is Open for the Revolutionary War Conference 250 in the Mohawk Valley
Published March 12, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared in a Fort Plain Museum & Historical Park newsletter. The Revolutionary War Conference 250 in the Mohawk Valley Please Note the Date Change June 14-16, 2024 Registration is Open Registra...
Backing Historic Small Restaurants
Published March 12, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the National Trust for Historic Preservation website. Now in its fourth year, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are doubling the number of Backing Historic Small Restaurants gr...
Historic Chronicles of Genesee County by Michael J. Eula
Published March 8, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on The History Press website. ASSASSINATIONS, IMMIGRATION, PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS AND SUFFRAGISTS The dramatic events of American history have left an indelible mark on the life and culture of New York’s Gene...
A Legacy Deferred: The Architecture of Thomas W. Boyde, Jr. Project
Published February 28, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on the Westside News website. The Greece Historical Society (GHS) sponsored a Cultural Resource Survey of The Architecture of Thomas W. Boyde, Jr., Rochester’s first African American architect. The project was f...
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs announces $52.2m in grants to more than 1,000 organisations
Published February 26, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared on The Art Newspaper website. The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) announced it has awarded $52.2m to more than 1,000 cultural organisations across New York City. The payments will be distributed throug...
Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo Joins Brooklyn Museum to Cut Ribbon on the Toby Devan Lewis Education Center
Published February 26, 2024 | State History
This article originally appeared as a NYC Department of Cultural Affairs press release. On Saturday, January 27, NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo joined Brooklyn Museum leadership, local officials, and museum visitors to off...