
Upstate New York Museum Faces Closure – How You Can Help
My family loves visiting museums and one of our favorites is the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, so when I heard that the future of the museum is in jeopardy, it brought back a flood of memories of visiting and all of the amazing things that we learned there that we might not have ever known had we not visited.
Concern Over Museum of the Earth Closure
Also concerned about the possible closure of the museum is Emily Cavanaugh, a resident of Ithaca, who has started a petition on Change.org which over 500 people have supported so far.
Change.org Call to Action
Emily’s petition is centered around the reasons that the Museum of the Earth is important for both education and research and why it should be saved from closure, which Emily says is imminent.
Significance of the Museum of the Earth
The museum, which has a remarkable collection of over 7 million fossil specimens, has been an important resource to both Cornell University and residents of the Upstate New York community for more than 90 years.
Financial Crisis and Support Efforts
When a big donor suddenly pulled funding from the Museum of the Earth, it put this fantastic museum in serious trouble.
Now, those who support Emily’s petition are pushing Cornell University and local stakeholders to team up to come up with some ways to save the museum's history for future generations.
Nationwide Struggle of Museums
Museums across the United States are having a hard time getting enough money to stay open and running smoothly due to economic challenges so this isn’t an isolated situation with the Museum of Earth, but it’s a sad situation that can be saved if enough people come together.
SEE ALSO: Explore Earth and Its Prehistoric Past at the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca
Impact of Museum of the Earth Closure
The Museum of the Earth is a place that helps people learn about science and connects with the community, especially by helping Cornell University students and teachers. If it closes, it would be a big loss for paleontology research and education.

How to Take Action
To show support or contribute to the fight to keep the Museum of the Earth open, you can visit the petition link here.
Look Inside Ithaca's Fascinating Museum of the Earth
Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor
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Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor