Papa Burger Installed in His New Home on the Museum's Fourth Floor
Papa Burger is now installed in his new home on the Museum's fourth floor.

The 9-foot-tall Papa Burger statue entered the State Museum’s collection in 1998 as an “unknown fiberglass figure of a man holding a mug and a hamburger” from the Syracuse or Rochester area. Research soon revealed that he is “Papa Burger,” an iconic mascot figure for the A&W root beer chain of restaurants dating back to the 1960s.

Over the past few years, Museum staff restored Papa Burger to his original colors and details. The restoration project included removing layers of paint to reach the statue’s original coat and researching paints to match Papa Burger’s original colors.

In addition to Papa Burger, an original Hoffman's Playland ticket booth and models of two attractions from Coney Island are on display. Learn more.
Erie Canal Book Talk and
Gallery Tour on September 25

Join curator Brad Utter for an exhibit tour of Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal . Brad will highlight what travel was like for tourists, travelers, and canalers.
 

On September 25, 1826, a young Canadian traveler by the name of Alexander Stewart Scott arrived in Albany, New York. Keeping a daily travel journal, he jotted down the details of his extended trip across the state. This heretofore little-known journal, part of the manuscript collections of the New York State Library, has now been published by SUNY Press as Everything Worthy of Observation: The 1826 New York State Travel Journal of Alexander Stewart Scott .

Join independent historian Paul G. Schneider Jr., who transcribed and edited Scott’s unique journal, as he discusses the world this young traveler encountered and some of the remarkable historical coincidences linking this story to the present.

Books will be available for purchase, and a book signing will take place after the talk. Special note: Scott’s original travel journal will be on display.
September Programs
Wednesday, September 11
1:00 pm
Take a tour of the World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response exhibition as we commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Thursday, September 26
Noon
Learn how politics shaped the Erie Canal during this lunch time tour.
Sunday, September 15
2:00 pm
In this visually compelling program, historical artist Len Tantillo and author Russell Shorto compare their methods of bringing New York’s origins to life, focusing on the search for the Stuyvesant “Bowery” home. 
Saturday, September 14, 21 and 28
12:30 pm & 2:30 pm
Tour the historic State Education Building during this 45-minute tour led by State Museum staff.
Native Peoples of New York Gallery Reopens
The Native Peoples of New York gallery is now open after it was closed temporarily this summer for required maintenance. Thank you for your patience!
Karen Quinn, Museum historian, speaks at Byrdcliffe Afternoon program in Woodstock
State Museum historian Karen Quinn, curator of the Historic Woodstock Art Colony exhibition, will host a talk about Woodstock's importance as an art colony on Saturday, September 28 at 11:00 am as part of the The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild's "Byrdcliffe Afternoon" program.

Quinn's talk will be held at the Kleinert James Center for the Arts (34 Tinker Street, Woodstock). Visit our website for more information.
Gift Shop Spotlight
Did you know the Museum Gift Shop has an online store too ? Select items are available for purchase online, including books, souvenirs and toys and games.

For more information, contact the Museum Gift Shop at 518-449-7860.