The Museum of the Earth and the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a cultural and research institution that has been benefitting the Ithaca and the scientific community for over 90 years. Recently, a group of donors has failed to fulfill a large donation. This has put the Museum in imminent danger of extinction. 

PRI and the Museum of the Earth has been a place for Cornell students as well as the Ithaca community to learn about Earth history and science, with an impressive fossil collection of over 7 million specimens that are used in research and education. PRI has supported many PhD projects as well as undergraduate research projects for several decades, and its closure will have a significant impact on the field of paleontological research and paleontological education.

Please consider singing this petition if you believe that Cornell and other outside sources should fight for the Museum of the Earth to stay open, so that it can continue to benefit the Ithaca and winder communities for generations to come. Below are a few other sources regarding the Museum’s struggles as well as student testimonials. Thank you for your time and consideration.

If you’re interested in donating, please do so through this link: https://www.priweb.org/donate

change.org DOES NOT supply donations directly to PRI, they use the donations to boost the petition.

Ithaca Voice article: https://ithacavoice.org/2025/01/museum-of-the-earth-faces-extinction-under-imminent-threat-of-foreclosure/ 

Student testimonial:

https://cornellsun.com/2025/01/20/guest-room-a-plea-for-the-museum-of-the-earth/