Get ready to roar! Calling all young readers and dinosaur-lovers: Join the New York State Library for the first-ever Super Story Party!    

Celebrate the love of reading and explore this year’s Summer Reading theme of Unearth a Story. Enjoy a rollicking good time as kids can uncover hidden histories and explore the paleontological past. Each family will leave with information and materials to connect with this year’s Summer Reading Program and support literacy learning at home.  

Special guests and community partners include children’s singer/songwriter Johnny Only, magician Ron Cain, The RED Bookshelf, New York State Archives, New York State Museum, and the Talking Book and Braille Library.

Registration for the 10:45 a.m. magic show is required: Super Story Party 2026!

Celebrate World Ocean Month and National Week of Making with an immersive STEAM program exploring the wonders of Earth’s underwater ecosystems. Participants will begin with a short, engaging introduction to marine life highlighting the importance of ocean habitats, the evolution of marine animals, and how underwater species have adapted over time.

Following this exploration, participants will have the opportunity to view select marine specimens before diving into a hands-on creative workshop. Using diorama boxes, participants will design and build their own underwater world. Each diorama will reflect individual creativity while encouraging observation, storytelling, and an appreciation for ocean ecosystems.

*Our apologies. Registration for this program has reached capacity and is now closed.

In the Field: Albany Pine Bush Summer Series brings New York State Museum scientists out of the building and into the globally rare pine barrens ecosystem for hands-on exploration. This offsite program series invites participants to experience field science in action through guided walks, demonstrations, and real-time research with Museum experts and Albany Pine Bush staff. Each program offers a unique opportunity to engage with the region’s dynamic ecosystems while learning directly from scientists working in the field.

Moth Mania

This evening program is focused on attracting, observing, and identifying moths in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve—home to one of the most diverse and fascinating moth communities in the Northeast, including many species that have adapted specifically to live in pine barrens. Join Albany Pine Bush staff and NYS Entomologist Dr. Timothy McCabe to spend an evening observing and documenting moths in the preserve. Participants should plan to do some light hiking.

Registration required.
Register for In the Field: Moth Mania

Location:
The Albany Pine Bush
195 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205

Join State Archivist Brian Keough for an introduction and special screening of the documentary The Brothers: Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in Albany (25 minutes). 

The film explores The Brothers, a civil rights organization founded in 1966 by working-class African American men from Albany’s Arbor Hill and South End neighborhoods. Formed over a dispute with hiring by local unions, The Brothers was a group which personified the Black power movement in Albany during the mid- to late 1960s. This organization of working class African American men recognized how their community was disenfranchised and led a movement to expose vote buying and election fraud. They used direct action and picketing, and were at odds with not only the city, but frequently clashed with established social welfare and civil rights groups. Predating the Black Panther Party, The Brothers conveyed a militant and revolutionary spirit, but they professed non-violence. They personified a growing black consciousness in Albany, as the events in Albany during 1965–67 demonstrated an aging political machine being challenged by an emerging, grassroots social movement that was fueled by black power and consciousness. 

This program was made possible by WMHT.

In celebration of Juneteenth, join Dr. Jennifer Lemak and Rapp Road Historical Association for an engaging gallery talk on Fashion and Faith: Hats of the Great Migration. Explore how the hats worn in Black churches during the Great Migration were more than fashion—they were symbols of faith, resilience, and personal identity. Dr. Lemak will share the stories behind these extraordinary “crowns,” highlighting how they reflected the journeys, leadership, and creativity of women who navigated new lives in New York State while holding onto their heritage and hope for the future.

Join Dr. Jennifer Lemak, Chief Curator of History, for an engaging gallery talk on Fashion and Faith: Hats of the Great Migration. Explore how the hats worn in Black churches during the Great Migration were more than fashion—they were symbols of faith, resilience, and personal identity. Dr. Lemak will share the stories behind these extraordinary “crowns,” highlighting how they reflected the journeys, leadership, and creativity of women who navigated new lives in New York State while holding onto their heritage and hope for the future.

Step back in time and join us for a fascinating 30-minute gallery tour of the Cohoes Mastodon, one of the New York State Museum’s most treasured fossils, led by NYSM Director of Research and Collections and Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Dr. Robert Feranec. Discovered in 1866 during the construction of Harmony Mill No. 3 near Cohoes Falls, this impressive creature stood about eight-and-one-half feet high and weighed between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds.

During the tour, you'll learn about the mastodon’s life 13,000 years ago, uncover the research behind its unique skeletal features, and explore the distinguishing traits that set mastodons apart from mammoths. Discover the remarkable story of survival, injury, and the ancient world through this iconic relic of our planet’s history!

In the Field: Albany Pine Bush Summer Series brings New York State Museum scientists out of the building and into the globally rare pine barrens ecosystem for hands-on exploration. This offsite program series invites participants to experience field science in action through guided walks, demonstrations, and real-time research with Museum experts and Albany Pine Bush staff. Each program offers a unique opportunity to engage with the region’s dynamic ecosystems while learning directly from scientists working in the field.
 

M.A.P.S. Bird Banding

A look at bird-banding in action as part of the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program, contributing to long-term bird population research. See wild birds up close and personal with NYS Museum Ornithologist and Curator of Birds and Mammals, Dr. Jeremy Kirchman and Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Conservation Director, Neil Gifford, as they capture and fit them with uniquely coded leg-bands. Bird bands are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL)  and banding is conducted under state and federal permits. These bands allow scientists to identify individuals; which helps us to study how long birds live, where they breed, and when and where they migrate. While in-hand, the banders carefully take measurements that can indicate a bird’s health, age, and breeding condition. Tracking the distribution and abundance of species that specialize on our fire-dependent inland pitch pine-scrub oak barrens during the breeding season can also help guide the management and restoration of this globally rare habitat.

Location:
The Albany Pine Bush
195 New Karner Road
Albany, NY 12205

Please visit the Albany Pine Bush event calendar to learn more.

Join the New York State Library for a fun and interactive storytime adventure at the New York State Museum! Enjoy engaging stories, interactive readings, and a chance to spark your child’s love for books and imagination.

Join us every Tuesday in July for a special dinosaur documentary screening series. Travel back millions of years to explore the lives of extraordinary prehistoric creatures, learn about the latest paleontological discoveries, and uncover the dramatic events that shaped life on Earth. Featuring stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, these screenings are perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts. Don't miss Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals, the Museum's newest exhibition, now on view!

Dive into the world of archives with New York Archives Jr! magazine. Each week, we'll explore a fun learning activity inspired by an issue of New York Archives Jr!, where kids will discover fascinating history, analyze primary sources, and engage with interactive projects!

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a fun, hands-on craft designed especially for young children! Little makers will create their own colorful ice cream “scoops” and design imaginative frozen treats to take home. This simple, playful activity encourages creativity, color exploration, and fine motor skills in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Perfect for our youngest visitors!

Enjoy an afternoon of blues, jazz, and Americana with The Little Zippers. Known for their rich harmonies and engaging performances, the duo brings together classic favorites and original songs inspired by America’s diverse musical traditions.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of the Musicians Performance Trust Fund.

Join Robyn Gibson, Collections Manager, for a hands-on program exploring costume jewelry from the museum’s history collection. Participants will get a close look at select pieces from the collection, learn how fashion jewelry has changed over time, and then create their own wearable jewelry to take home. This family-friendly program invites kids to mix history and creativity while making something uniquely their own.

Have you ever seen a nearly two-foot-long walking stick? Or a beetle as large as the palm of your hand? Did you know that an adult insect's life span can be as short as twenty minutes or as long as 50 years? Join New York State Entomologist, Dr. Timothy McCabe, as he reveals more incredible insects and fun facts on a tour of the New York State Museum’s Entomology collection.

Visitors who have received registration confirmation should meet in the Museum Lobby prior to the start of the tour.

Space is limited. Register for the Entomology Tour.

The New York State Museum belongs to all New Yorkers, and we want to hear from you! As the Museum is planning for its renewal, community input will play an important role in shaping what comes next. 

Join us for an opportunity to share your ideas, experiences, and aspirations for the Museum. What stories should we tell? What topics and communities should be highlighted? How can we create more engaging exhibitions, programs, public spaces, and visitor experiences for people across New York State? Your feedback will help inform future exhibitions, educational programs, accessibility improvements, visitor amenities, and other aspects of the Museum's next chapter. Whether you're a longtime visitor, a first-time guest, or someone who has never visited before, your perspective matters. 

As a thank-you for participating, contributors will have an opportunity to spin our prize wheel for a chance to win Museum-themed giveaways. Come share your voice and help shape the future of the New York State Museum. 

Unable to attend? Your voice still matters. Complete our online survey by July 10 and share your ideas for the future of the New York State Museum: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYSMSurvey. Opportunities to provide feedback in person at Museum events will continue beyond the survey deadline.

During the American Revolution, both sides used spies to gather information on troop movements and military plans. Join Senior Historian Aaron Noble to learn about one of the war's most infamous spies and try your hand at Revolutionary War spy craft using secret codes, invisible inks, and other tools of the trade.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, join museum educator Tyler Warman for an immersive exploration of the Port of New York and its pivotal role in the American Revolution. From the arrival of the massive British armada in 1776 to the final departure of the Redcoats on Evacuation Day in 1783, New York’s waters served as one of the war’s most contested and strategically important theaters, shaping the course of the conflict and the nation’s future.

Join Dr. Jeremy J. Kirchman, Curator of Birds and Mammals at the New York State Museum, for a gallery talk exploring the remarkable evolutionary connection between birds and dinosaurs. Drawing on fossil discoveries, anatomical evidence, and modern scientific research, Dr. Kirchman will reveal how today's birds are the living descendants of theropod dinosaurs. Learn how feathers, flight, and other characteristics evolved over millions of years and discover why every sparrow, hawk, and robin offers a glimpse into the age of dinosaurs. 

Continue your journey through prehistoric life by visiting Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals on the Museum's 4th Floor Terrace.

Curious about New York's past? Come uncover the stories behind the state's history— one document at a time! Join us every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for "Ask an Archivist" at the New York State Museum. Each session offers a peek into New York State’s rich and surprising history through carefully chosen original documents, photographs, and videos. An expert archivist will be on hand to share stories, answer your questions, and reveal how we uncover and preserve the past. You never know what fascinating piece of history you’ll discover!

Freedom Train

Discover a selection of documents from the Revolutionary War and beyond promoting New York's heritage of freedom.

The 2025 Evolution and Ecology Teacher Workshop is a one-day hybrid program held at the New York State Museum on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. The workshop will focus on hidden stories from the collections and is a professional development opportunity for science teachers, especially those who teach biology and environmental science to middle and high school students. The workshop is presented by PhD-level State Museum scientists, including Director of Research and Collections Robert Feranec, Curator of Mycology Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, Curator of Botany James Lendemer, Curator of Birds and Mammals Jeremy Kirchman, Curator of Malacology-Director of Museum’s Field Research Laboratory Denise Mayer, Curator of Entomology Timothy McCabe, State Paleontologist- Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology Lisa Amati, and Curator of Ichthyology Jeremy Wright.

Teachers will have the opportunity to earn eight CTLE clock hours by completing the workshop. They will gain valuable insight into the forefront of scientific research, highlighting hidden stories in ecology and evolution from within the museum collections. The workshop is aligned with specific NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards.

Join us for Women of Science, a free, family-friendly event celebrating female scientists and their contributions to a wide range of scientific fields. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to meet inspiring women scientists from the New York State Museum’s Division of Research and Collections and other local scientists, learning about their disciplines, current research projects, and collections.

The day’s schedule features hands-on educational activities, tabling activities with participating scientists, brief science talks, and several interactive “Ask a Scientist” panels for families with younger children, teens, and adults. Don't miss this chance to discover the exciting world of science and gain insight from the women shaping its future!

The 2025 DH Cadwell Teacher Workshop, will be a one-day hybrid program held at the New York State Museum on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The workshop is a professional development opportunity for science teachers, especially those who teach Earth Science/Physical Setting to middle and high school students. The workshop is presented by PhD-level Museum scientists—research experts in the fields of Geology, Earth Science, and Paleontology.

Participants are immersed in information and hands-on activities in geology and paleontology and will have the opportunity to earn eight CTLE clock hours. The workshop provides an informal setting for learning through interaction between earth science teachers and research experts, through which participants will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of New York-specific topics; refine their observational and interpretive skills; and inquire, formulate, and test their scientific practices and applications. 

The workshop is aligned with specific NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards and Regents Exams in Earth and Space Sciences.
 

Join New York State Archivist Brian Keough for an in-person viewing of WMHT’s short film, In Search of Timbuctoo, followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Paul Miller. On display for one day only, the 1846 Receipt Book of Land Grants from Gerrit Smith documents 3,000 deeds granted to African Americans and poor white people giving them the wealth needed to have the right to vote in New York. Before or after the program, be sure to visit the State Museum’s exhibit, Timbuctoo: Gerrit Smith’s Experiment, in Adirondack Hall.

Also featured are Treasures from the State Archives: Gerrit Smith 1846 Receipt Book display and the State Museum’s exhibit: Timbuctoo: Gerrit Smith’s Experiment.