Staten Island Museum New York

About the Staten Island Museum: The Staten Island Museum is a hub of art, science and history, and is the only general interest museum in New York City still actively collecting significant objects and artifacts to display in their fascinating exhibits. Since opening their doors in 1881, the Staten Island Museum has amassed an impressive collection of over two million artifacts including natural science specimens, photographs, artwork, books, and a variety of unique objects from ancient to contemporary periods.

Located just two blocks from the Ferry Terminal, the Staten Island Museum is easily accessible from downtown Manhattan on a short, free ferry ride across the New York Bay. 80,000 adults and children visit the "Mini Smithsonian" every year to explore the museum's permanent and changing exhibitions, as well as attend events like book signings, guided tours, art lectures, and interactive programs designed specifically for kids and families at the Staten Island Museum.

Popular permanent exhibitions at the Staten Island Museum include:

• Staten Island Ferry: This captivating exhibit pays homage to 100 years of Staten Island Ferry history through artwork, photographs, model ships, and other authentic nautical artifacts.

• Wall of Insects: Thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies, cicadas, moths, and beetles are displayed in this spectacular exhibition of bugs.

• Hall of Natural Sciences: Glow-in-the-dark rocks, bizarre amphibians preserved in jars, and other oddities of nature are featured in this eerie exhibit.

• The Lenape: This fascinating exhibit explores the culture and history of Staten Island's first inhabitants with a display of over 10,000 artifacts dating back to the 17th century.

For more current and future exhibitions, visit statenislandmuseum.org.

**Photos by Michael Falco, courtesy of the SI Borough President's Office