The New York State Museum in Albany, New York, is the oldest and largest state museum in the United States, dedicated to exploring the natural, cultural, and human history of New York State. Established in 1836, it houses extensive collections of art, artifacts, scientific specimens, and ecofacts that reflect the state’s geological development, indigenous cultures, urban growth, and more.
Located at 222 Madison Avenue on the Empire State Plaza, the museum features free admission and a variety of long-term and rotating exhibitions — from Ice Age fossils and Adirondack wilderness displays to archaeological insights into Albany and Harlem in the 1920s, minerals, and historic artifacts — plus special exhibits and educational programs for all ages.
It also offers public programs, gallery tours, and hands-on experiences that bring New York’s history and science to life, making it a major cultural and educational destination in the Capital Region.