page_title: New York State Museum
section_title: Permanent exhibits
hierarchical_section_title: New York State Museum / Collections / Permanent exhibits
caption_attribution_description: English: Iroquoian longhouse replica in New York State Museum, Albany, NY Slovenčina: Replika Irokézskeho domu v Múzeu Štátu New York v Albany
context_page_description: The New York State Museum is a research-backed institution in Albany, New York, United States. It is located on Madison Avenue, attached to the south side of the Empire State Plaza, facing onto the plaza and towards the New York State Capitol. The museum houses art, artifacts, and ecofacts that reflect New York’s cultural, natural, and geological development. Operated by the New York State Education Department's Office of Cultural Education, it is the nation's oldest and largest state museum. Formerly located in the State Education Building, the museum now occupies the first four floors of the Cultural Education Center, a ten-story, 1,500,000-square-foot building that also houses the New York State Archives and New York State Library.
context_section_description: The Adirondack Wilderness – This exhibit explores the geology and prehistoric flora and fauna of the Adirondacks, the impact historic activities such as logging, mining, and recreational use had on regional environment and ecology, and the area's contemporary state, including conservation efforts, resource exploitation, and artistic interpretations.
  The American Stoneware Collection – In 2014, a collection of 19th-century American stoneware was donated to the museum by Adam Weitsman. The exhibit includes stoneware jugs, crocks, pitchers, jars, and water containers.
  Ancient Life of New York – A Billion Years of Earth History – A paleontological collection of fossils over a billion years old (some of the oldest in the eastern United States).  The exhibit includes blue-green bacteria, fossilized tree stumps and spiders from Gilboa, New York, trilobites, and armored fish.
  Birds of New York – Includes a display of over 170 native New York bird species in their natural settings.
  Black Capital: Harlem in the 20s – An exhibit of the art and culture of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s, including a history of its development and the impact and influence it had on later cultural and artistic trends.
  Carousel – Located on the museum's fourth floor, this full-sized carousel was made between 1912 and 1916 by the Herschell-Spillman Company of North Tonawanda, New York.  It remained in use until the early 1970s in Cuba, New York, after which it was dismantled and obtained by the NYSM.  The carousel is fully operational, and free rides are offered to visitors throughout the day.
  Cohoes Mastodon – The skeletal remains of a mastodon excavated in Cohoes, New York in 1866.  The skeleton was previously located in the Museum's front lobby, complete with an interactive station. Returned from repair and restoration, it is available for viewing in the South Hall of the museum with a new display stand and interactive learning tools.
  Fire Engine Hall – An exhibit of historic fire fighting vehicles from the 19th and 20th centuries.
  The Governor's Collection of Contemporary Native American Crafts
  Metropolis Hall – An exhibit on the history of New York City, including a complete R9 New York City Subway car, and recreations of a Chinatown herbalist, Little Italy barbershop, and other storefronts.
  Minerals of New York – Geological displays from the New York State Museum's mineral collection.
  Native Peoples of New York – An exhibit focusing on the prehistoric and historic cultural development of New York State, spanning the chronological spectrum from the Paleoindian period (c. 10,000 BCE) up to and including the ethnology of Native groups in New York today.  Included in the exhibit are numerous prehistoric artifacts (e.g. pottery and stone tools), lifelike dioramas, scale models, and a full-sized replica of an Iroquoian longhouse.
  Research Gallery – Highlights current work being conducted by staff members of the NYSM's Division of Research and Collections.
  Windows on New York – Located on the fourth floor, the Windows on New York display highlights the history and characteristics of many of New York State's different regions.
  The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response – Tells the history of the World Trade Center and the September 11, 2001, attacks, including the rescue efforts, the evidence recovery operation at the Fresh Kills Landfill, and public response to the attacks. Has numerous artifacts from the site including the remains of an Engine 6 ladder truck, and the flag that was flown from next to the North Tower.
caption: Iroquoian longhouse
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