ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) – The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) was founded in 1932 by Gilbert Harris, a professor at Cornell University from 1895 to 1934 and separating ties from Cornell in 1936.
Today, the PRI pursues and integrates education and research along with interpreting the history and systems of the Earth.
The PRI’s Museum of the Earth was opened to the public in 2003 to provide the opportunity to travel back in time into our planet’s history. New York City architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi were behind the design of the museum.
Planning began in 1994 with construction starting in September of 2001. Spanning back 4.5 billion years from the Earth’s origin to the present day. The museum encourages you to critically think about life on Earth from the pre-historic era to the present.
Director of the Paleontological Research Institution, Warren Allmon, says multiple factors were behind the construction of the design.
“The Museum of the Earth was designed 20 years ago” says Allmon, “climate change, modern and ancient climate change was a major theme of the exhibits.”
Additionally, Allmon says the staff has added much more content to the museum both online and in person.
Fossil enthusiasts can take advantage of one of the nation’s largest fossil collections. It’s supported by a team of experts and is a resource for scientists around the world.
“The fossils are spectacular. People step on them every day,” says Allmon. Through extensive research, it was discovered New York State was once covered by a warm, shallow sea about 380 million years ago. Seashells and animals that lived there were preserved in sediments that were coming off the then huge Appalachian Mountains.
To understand how climate change has evolved, Allmon emphasizes “You cannot understand what is happening today unless you understand what is happening in the past.”
The museum offers many events over the course of the year, which you can find by following this link:
PRI’s Museum of the Earth is not the only destination that helps you explore the great outdoors.
A quick trip over to the Cayuga Nature Center provides programs and exhibits that encourage visitors to explore and understand the natural history of Cayuga Lake.
Originally named the Cayuga Preventorium, the center stood during the height of Tuberculosis. During the first half of the 19th century, it was believed the disease could be contained if children exposed were moved to camps with fresh air. By the 1930s, the Preventorium became a sponsor of cardiac clinics and later closed during World War 2.
Serving various purposes throughout the following decades, the Preventorium became what we now know as the Cayuga Nature Center in 1981, and later merged with the PRI in 2013.
Presently, the center provides outdoor education opportunities through summer camp for children 13 and under.
Manager of Live Animals, Chris Wolfe, holds animal programs during the week for the summer camp, and helps facilitate interactions of live animals free for the public at noon on Saturday’s. Wolfe says he helps visitors get exposed and comfortable to what is in their backyard.
“We have, you know, a handful of snakes in New York state, almost none of them are venomous, but a lot of people don't realize that, and they have a fear of snakes that is unnecessary. So, getting them used to seeing animals that they might encounter that would scare them.”
The Cayuga Nature Center offers programs for grades 1 through 5 where children are challenged to learn about plants, animals and geology surrounding the area. For information about the programs, you can email: [email protected] or call: 607-272-6260 x227.
An updated events calendar happening at the Cayuga Nature Center can be found here.
For more information about the Museum of Earth and where to purchase tickets, you can visit their website and are open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the Cayuga Nature Center, you can visit their website: https://www.cayuganaturecenter.org/
The trails and treehouse are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.