The museum holds one of the largest collections of Devonian-era fossils in the United States.
The facility was designed specifically to integrate with the natural topography of the Finger Lakes region.
The institution behind the museum, the Paleontological Research Institution, is an affiliate of Cornell University.
Visitors can view active preparation labs where staff and researchers work on cleaning and cataloging new fossil finds.
The Right Whale skeleton on display is a physical cast representing a species that was once abundant off the Atlantic coast.
The Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, New York, is operated by the Paleontological Research Institution and focuses on the history of life on Earth. Its primary exhibit features the Right Whale skeleton, a 44-foot specimen suspended in the main gallery. The museum utilizes an interactive timeline design that allows visitors to walk through 4.5 billion years of geological and biological history. Collections include over 2 million fossil specimens, emphasizing the Devonian period of New York State. The facility is physically integrated into the landscape, featuring a large glass window that overlooks a fossil-rich gorge. It serves as both a public education center and an active research facility for scientists studying Earth's evolutionary past.
Directly underneath the 44-foot Right Whale skeleton in the main gallery.
Check the daily schedule for live fossil preparation demonstrations in the lab area.
Wear comfortable shoes to navigate the sloping, ramped floor design that mimics the geological timeline.
Visit the gift shop for high-quality, scientifically accurate educational materials and local geological specimens.
Do not attempt to collect fossils from the surrounding gorge areas without proper authorization or during restricted periods.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; check website for seasonal updates.
