New York State's Great Places and Spaces on January 11
Celebrate what’s great in New York State at the Museum's annual New York State's Great Places and Spaces program! On Saturday, January 11 from noon - 4:00 pm, an array of the state’s historic sites and cultural institutions will offer families fun, hands-on activities, educational artifacts to explore, and information on regional events.

In addition, Senior Historian Brad Utter will lead a themed exhibit tour at 1:00 pm of  Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal . Brad will highlight what travel was like for tourists, travelers, and canalers. Highlighting artifacts and images in the exhibit, he will also discuss some of the popular tourist destinations in and around the canal in the 1800s.
Science Cafe - The Million Dollar Beach Archaeological Site
The next Science Cafe will be held on Thursday, January 9 at 6:00 pm.

Cultural Resource Survey Program (CRSP) archaeologists Barry Dale, Aaron Gore, and Steve Moragne led excavations of both prehistoric and colonial remains adjacent to the historic Lake George Million Dollar Beach for the New York State Museum. They will reveal their findings and answer questions about the prolific site, as well as share the difficulties of working in such a place during all seasons. Hear about Native American use of the region dating back several thousand years followed by eighteenth-century production of lime for the construction of nearby Fort George.

This program is free and located at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen in downtown Albany, New York. Food and drink will be available for purchase. The Hollow Bar + Kitchen is located at 79 North Pearl Street Albany, New York 12207.
January Programs
Tuesday, January 7
12:10 - 12:40 pm
 Dr. John Hart will discuss Iroquoian agricultural practices in New York and southern Ontario and how those practices maintained soil fertility and crop productivity for decades, producing enough food for village populations in the hundreds to thousands of people.
Saturday, January 11, 18 & 25
12:30 pm & 2:30 pm
Tour the historic State Education Building during this 45-minute tour led by State Museum staff.
Thursday, January 9
11:00 - 11:45 am
Enjoy the Museum by listening to a story, exploring objects from the teaching collection, and creating a fun art project. Themes will be announced on the day of the program. Pick up tickets at the main lobby desk.
Tuesday, January 21
12:10 - 12:40 pm
Join geologist Dr. Andrew Kozlowski as he explains how new technology displays a variety of glacial landforms that occupy New York State’s landscape.
Saturday, January 25
11 - 11:30 am & 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Perry Ground (Turtle Clan, Onondaga) shares tales from the Longhouse. He will share traditional legends, their customs and traditions in the winter months, and history of the Haudenosaunee people.

The 11am program will be in the Long House in Native Peoples Hall and is designed for younger children. The 1pm show will be in the Museum's Huxley Theater and is for families with older children.
Save the Date: Rock and Fossil Fun Fair & Gem and Mineral Show in February

Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mine for minerals, forage for fossils, experiment with a river replica, and more at the 4th Annual Rock and Fossil Fun Fair at the New York State Museum. Bring your rocks and fossils from home for identification. With 10 science activities, face painting, balloon animals, and prizes to take home, don't miss this opportunity to have fun with science. 

Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Admission Fee: $5 (cash only); Children ages 12 and under are free
Vendors from throughout the Northeast display and sell gems, jewelry, minerals, lapidary equipment, fossils, and much more on the 4th-floor terrace gallery. This event is co-sponsored by the Capital District Mineral Club and the New York Academy of Mineralogy. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s mineral-acquisition fund.
Gift Shop Item of the Month
In celebration of the Great Places and Spaces program on January 11, this month's featured Gift Shop item is a book about the Erie Canal.

Erie Canal (Images of America) features over two hundred images that depict life on the Erie Canal. This book is available for purchase at the Museum Gift Shop for $21.99.

The New York State Museum Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the Museum and is open during normal Museum hours. Call (518) 449-7860 for more information or visit their website .