Irish American Heritage Museum facts for kids
The Irish American Heritage Museum is a special place in Albany, New York. It helps us learn about the amazing things Irish people and their culture have given to America. The museum wants everyone to think about their own family's story and how it fits into the big American picture.
Museum History: How It Started
The idea for the museum began in 1986. It was started by a group of lawmakers in New York State who were of Irish heritage. The museum got its first money from state groups and many kind people who donated.
The very first museum building opened on June 16, 1990. It was located in East Durham, New York, at a place called the Irish Culture and Sports Center.
In 1992, the museum officially became a non-profit organization. This means it's a group that works for a good cause, not to make money.
To make it easier for more people to visit, the museum moved to downtown Albany in 2012. This new space opened on January 17, 2012. It's a big area, about 3,250 square feet! Inside, you can find the Paul O'Dwyer Library and special old papers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which is an Irish-American group.
Cool Exhibits to Explore
The museum often has interesting exhibits that teach visitors about Irish history in America. Here are some examples of past exhibits:
- "Irish in the Civil War": This exhibit showed how Irish-Americans played a big part in the American Civil War.
- "The Irish and the Erie Canal": This one highlighted how Irish workers helped build the famous Erie Canal. They were involved in every step of this huge project!
- "Dublin: Then and Now": This exhibit featured photographs of the streets of Dublin, Ireland, from the late 1950s and early 1960s. It showed how the city looked back then compared to today.
Visiting the Museum Today
The Irish American Heritage Museum is located at 21 Quackenbush Square in downtown Albany. You can find parking on the street or in parking lots right behind the museum.
The museum is open on:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 11 am to 4 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 12 noon to 4 pm
It is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
The museum is also part of something called The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association. This means if you have a membership at another museum that's part of NARM, you might get free or discounted entry here!
