Historical Places To Visit In Ithaca Area

Embark on a journey into the past to learn some of the history of the Tompkins County

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 which 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

Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell University is a Private Ivy-League Institution located in Ithaca. With an over 700-Acre Campus, this university is loaded with history, that is 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.

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:

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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