The Museum of the Earth of the Paleontological Research Institute [PRI] is a natural history museum located in Ithaca, New York. Founded in 1932, PRI has outstanding programs in research, collections, publications, and public outreach. The Institution cares for a collection of 2-3 million specimens (one of the ten largest in the U.S.), and publishes the oldest paleontological journal in the Western Hemisphere (Bulletins of American Paleontology, begun in 1895).

PRI is a national leader in the development of informal Earth Science education resources for educators and the general public. It is separate but informally affiliated with Cornell University and interacts closely with numerous units of the University in research, teaching, and public outreach. For more information about Museum of the Earth and PRI, click here.

Both CNC and Museum of the Earth are part of Ithaca's Discovery Trail, a group of educational organizations and the only one of its kind. The Discovery Trail promotes awareness and understanding of the connections among art, history, literature, science, and the natural world. From peaceful walks to famous talks, from hands-on fun to genealogical research, there's so much to see and do along the Discovery Trail. The eight fascinating sites on the trail [CNC, Museum of the Earth, the Tompkins County Public Library, the Sciencenter, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, The History Center, Cornell Plantations, and The Johnson Museum of Art] are an easy drive from downtown Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Cayuga Lake and other Finger Lakes attractions. Atoms to artifacts, foxes to fossils, robins to rhododendrons, sculpture to storytellers - Ithaca's Discovery Trail has something for everyone! For more information on the Discovery Trail, click here.