The NYSM is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May! Join us for special public programs at the Museum, and follow along on social media—FB, IG, or X—as we share stories, history, and cultural highlights.

Discover how a rare 420-million-year-old fossil from New York offers groundbreaking insights into the evolution and distribution of early marine life.

The New York State Museum has launched a national search for its next Director, with renowned museum leader Dr. Brent D. Glass leading the effort.

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Learn about the groundbreaking 1828 court case of Sojourner Truth, a self-emancipated Black woman who took on a white slave owner to free her young son from bondage.

Explore this collection of documents, photos, and V-mail letters highlighting the service of Private Fred Thomas and the experiences of his wife, Josie, on the WWII Home Front, offering a unique glimpse into the life of an African American serviceman during the war.

Learn more about the recent discovery and excavation of a mastodon jaw and teeth in Orange County, NY, and how it will help shed light on New York's Ice Age past.

Explore the blazing history of firefighting innovation, from colonial times to the mid-20th century in the new exhibit feature, "Fear Not, We Come!"

Discover the story behind the delicate origami crane created in 1955 by Sadako Sasaki, a twelve-year-old Japanese victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.

Canine Contrasts: Unraveling Wolves and Coyotes in New York unravels the story behind a recent mistaken identity and takes a deep dive into the biology and history of these canine cousins.