The Finger Lakes Museum creating a ripple effect...
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” - Native American Proverb
Mission “...to inspire stewardship of the Finger Lakes...”
The
Finger Lakes region stirs the imagination. Visible from more than 200 miles above the earth’s surface, these eleven glacially-formed lakes contain trillions of gallons of drinking water surrounded by 380 miles of shoreline and more than 9,000 square miles of forested hillsides, waterfalls, rolling fields, and gorges.
And yet, there has never before been an institution
dedicated to celebrating the Finger Lakes region in its entirety.
It’s time. Through engaging programs and a stunning palette
of indoor and outdoor facilities, The Finger Lakes Museum will inspire residents and visitors alike to explore and enjoy the region’s unique cultural heritage and fascinating natural history.
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Populations Served
The Finger Lakes Region has always enticed visitors
with the promise of dramatic vistas, crystalline waters, patchwork farms, and historic Main Streets. Add to that a blossoming reputation as one of the world’s great wine regions and the future here is bright.
1.2 million
As more and more people arrive to enjoy the
swimming, the hiking, or the Riesling, it becomes ever more crucial that they leave (or stay!) with an understanding of the natural and historical elements that have made these joys possible. Only through knowledge can we hope to preserve all that is here.
The Museum’s primary intent is to conjoin this
necessary knowledge with impactful experiences. Together, a sense of curiosity and adventure will be created that will lead visitors to a broader appreciation of what makes the Finger Lakes the Finger Lakes...and why it’s a place worth protecting.
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AInspiring n experience like none other... experience...
“If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life...�
- Rachel Carson
Education is what we do. But it’s not our favorite word. Here are some we prefer: dirt, water, discovery, “they ate that?,” tree forts, patience, “who lived here?,” taste, “no way!,” splash, shhhh, “can I try?” A visceral understanding of history and nature gives our own lives meaning. Studies have shown that outdoor education increases self-esteem, problem-solving skills, and motivation to learn…not to mention test scores. We also know that people who have positive childhood experiences in nature are more likely to care about conservation as adults.
For our children: At The Finger Lakes Museum, we will draw upon our broad spectrum of facilities and ecosystems to engage students in a way that is driven by their own curiosity. On any given day, kids will be able to check out adventure packs containing field guides, fish nets, and magnifying glasses for self-directed exploration. During facilitator-led programs, students might tap a maple tree, look for fox tracks, build a shelter or fort, hear a creation tale, or paddle downstream in search of tadpoles and turtles. And every once in a while, we will truly turn “education” on its head with one simple directive: go out into the world and come back with a question.
And for the rest of us: We can’t let the kids have all the fun! The Finger Lakes Museum is also committed
to providing a diversity of programming for adults both on- and off-campus: boatbuilding courses in our craftsmanship shop, wine history (and tastings!), bird hikes, paddling adventures…and, yes, the grown-ups can build forts too.
More than a Museum...
We are officially titled The Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum, but that doesn’t begin to cover it.
The Lake Campus...
Situated in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region at the northwest tip of Keuka Lake, the Museum’s flagship Lake Campus is
rich in natural features including a mile of shoreline, forested hillsides, ravines, streams, and majestic vistas. Our planned state-of-the-art facility in Keuka Lake State Park melds with its surroundings to create an immersive visitor experience. The Campus will be centered around the area’s first freshwater aquarium, and at 150,000 gallons, proposed as the largest in the Northeast. The Museum’s Lake Campus will showcase indigenous habitats of the Finger Lakes alongside hands-on historical exhibits. There will also be a living-working exhibit on the history of Finger Lakes wine-making. The Lake Campus will include a gift shop, café, and plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, boating, swimming and play.
Dive deeper...
The Discovery Campus...
Built around an extensively refurbished former elementary
school in the historic hamlet of Branchport, the Museum’s educational hub brings the concept of “sustainability” to life. The Discovery Campus is ideally located along Sugar Creek, an easy-to-navigate stream that flows through the Campus and then into Keuka Lake. Wetlands teeming with life provide a vibrant ecosystem for study, while open spaces will feature an old time baseball field, “earth to table” gardens, and a bald eagle aviary. Inside, the facility will house an interpretative freshwater experience, classrooms, a woodshop, permanent exhibits and a multimedia center.
Creating a ripple effect...
As an institution that strives to impart a sense of continuity across this wide region, The Finger Lakes Museum experience is
not isolated to just Keuka Lake. The Museum’s programs, facilities and partnerships are spread throughout the 9,000 square mile region. This is where our Mission will be fulfilled.
Already we have established and are discussing partnerships with organizations including the New York Wine and Culinary
Center, Finger Lakes Institute, Wells College, Keuka College and many others. In conjunction with these friends, we will develop a slate of traveling exhibits, classroom “Museum kits”, touring lecture series, and nature hikes that embark from a variety of trailheads. The possibilities are endless.
Join us...
Consider what has transpired to bring the Finger Lakes to this moment. Billions of years of geologic upheaval Millions of years of biologic transformation Thousands of years of human passage Hundreds of years of social change Decades of cultural innovation Finally, the Finger Lakes region is poised to win the recognition it deserves.
From the moment of its conception, The Finger Lakes Museum has been received with an outpouring of
enthusiasm. Funding from New York State provided an incredible vote of confidence. This has inspired the generous support of foundations and individuals.
Now, all we’re missing is you! Join us in continuing to make The Finger Lakes Museum a reality . . . for all of us!
“The Finger Lakes region is one of the most beautiful areas of New York State, as well as our country, and the Museum will serve to reinforce its history and aesthetic beauty.� - Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy