Irish American Heritage Museum facts for kids

The Irish American Heritage Museum is a special place in Albany, New York. It helps everyone learn about the amazing history and culture of Irish people in America. The museum wants to share their stories and inspire visitors to think about their own family heritage too.

History of the Museum

How the Museum Started

The idea for the museum began in 1986. It was created by a group called the New York State American-Irish Legislators Society. They wanted to make sure the stories of Irish Americans were remembered.

The museum received money from different groups to get started. These included the State Natural Heritage Trust and the State Council on the Arts. Many people also gave private donations to help.

First Location and Growth

The museum first opened its doors on June 16, 1990. It was located in East Durham, New York, at the Irish Culture and Sports Center.

In 1992, the museum became an official non-profit organization. This means it's a group that helps the public and doesn't make money for private owners. The Board of Regents of the State of New York gave it this special status.

Moving to Albany

To welcome more visitors, the museum moved to downtown Albany in 2012. This new, larger space opened on January 17, 2012. It includes the Paul O'Dwyer Library, which has many books. It also holds the archives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a historic Irish-American group.

What You Can See: Museum Exhibits

The museum has featured many interesting exhibits over the years. These shows help visitors understand different parts of Irish-American history.

Irish People in American History

One exhibit was called "Irish in the Civil War." It showed how Irish Americans played a part in the American Civil War. Another exhibit, "The Irish and the Erie Canal," highlighted their hard work. It explained how Irish people helped build the important Erie Canal.

Exploring Irish Culture

The museum also had an exhibit called "Dublin: Then and Now." This show featured photographs of the streets of Dublin, Ireland. The pictures were taken in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It helped visitors see how the city looked back then.

Planning Your Visit

The Irish American Heritage Museum is a great place to learn and explore. It is part of a group called The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association. This means if you are a member of another NARM museum, you might get free admission here!

Where to Find the Museum

The museum is located at 21 Quackenbush Square in downtown Albany. You can find parking on the street nearby. There are also parking lots behind the museum for visitors.

When to Visit

The museum is open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, it is open from 12 noon to 4 PM. The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday.