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Press Release: Finger Lakes Museum Proposal – 03/12/08 GENEVA – Citing two major museums located in the Adirondack Mountains, Dansville resident John Adamski has proposed the creation of a new museum that would showcase the 9,000 square-mile Finger Lakes Region. The long-established Adirondack Museum located in Blue Mountain Lake celebrates the region’s cultural history, craftsmanship and lore. The new Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake, also known as The Wild Center, features live exhibits dealing with Adirondack ecology, environment, fish and wildlife. “We have no cultural or natural history museum to focus attention on one of the most beautiful, ecologically diverse and popular regions of New York State,” Adamski said. “My idea is a combination of the two—the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum.” Adamski proposes exhibits that include Native American culture, colonization, and the histories of agriculture, viniculture and commerce. Artifacts would range from antique boats and farm equipment to an immense freshwater aquarium containing fish species native to the Finger Lakes. Indoor exhibits would illustrate specimens of native wildlife in natural settings and outdoor exhibits would feature live animals like river otters and the Seneca White Deer. Special focus would be given to invasive species such as zebra mussels. Each of the eleven Finger Lakes would be featured with geographical, geological, glacial and topographic details as well as a huge relief map showing the relationship of the lakes to one another. Also proposed are an art and photo gallery, an auditorium, a bookstore and a research library. Flex-space would be provided for other regional museums and historical societies to present exhibits on a rotating basis. “I am extending an invitation to historical societies from the 14 counties that comprise the Finger Lakes Region and colleges and universities within those counties to each submit their own proposals for exhibits,” Adamski stated. Adamski has already met with the founders of both Adirondack museums who endorsed his idea and offered their assistance. Life in the Finger Lakes magazine and its editor, Mark Stash, also support the idea and have volunteered to partner in its promotion. Finger Lakes Community College professor emeritus Bill Banaszewski, founder of the college’s Environmental Conservation Department, has offered his expertise to establish the natural history department as well. “These partnerships are a great beginning but more support is needed,” Adamski said. “We are looking for Finger Lakes Region businesses, individuals, industries, and wineries to become stakeholders in helping to make the region even more attractive as a tourist destination.” People can log on to www.lifeinthefingerlakes.com to vote for or against the idea and offer ideas and support. ###
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