With extensive holdings of fine art from ancient to contemporary periods, SIIAS presents striking and imaginative exhibitions in a variety of media, including clothing, textiles, ethnographic art, paintings, sculpture, craft, prints, drawings, and more. 

The Natural Science Collection includes more than 500,000 entomological specimens, 25,000 plant specimens, and shells and archaeological objects. 

The Archives and Library contain more than 55,000 historical photographs, 3,000 maps and atlases, 15,000 books, and a large array of periodicals, oral histories, Institute records, artifacts, and other items relating to Staten Island history and science. 

As well as changing exhibitions of material from the Institute's collections, visitors will enjoy travelling exhibitions. SIIAS also offers a wide variety of family oriented programs and events throughout the year, such as lectures, mini-courses, field trips, nature studies, several annual affairs, and much more. Programs for children include Science Club, Future Curators, Earth Camp, Camp-on-the Go. 

A recent and fascinating addition to the Institute's exhibitions is actually located in the waiting room at the St. George terminal of the Staten Island Ferry. The display includes Ship's Wheels & Whistles, Scale Models of Vintage Ferries, Photos, Postcards, and more. 

School Groups, grades pre-K - 8, can enjoy outstanding programs at the Institute, at the William T. Davis Education Center (also on Stuyvesant Place), or at Clove Lakes Park, several miles from the Institute, depending on which program is chosen. 

Days of Dinosaurs (Pre-k - 8): Explores these fascinating creatures and their world through a film and a workshop where students create their own dinosaur; Columns, Capitals and Cornices (3 - 5): students take a walking tour of the neighborhood to explore the different architectural styles. Upon their return they create and design their own structures; Lenape: Staten Island's Native Americans (pre-K - 5): Students discover the roles, traditions and customs of this tribe, locate Lenape villages on a map, and play an Indian game; A Day at the Beach (K - 8): Students learn about the variety of animals they can see at the beach, and even those they can't see; and The Ferry Collection (1 - 6): a 1¾ hour program including a Ferry tour of New York Harbor. Children learn about ferries and the people who run them (requires at least 5 chaperones, regardless of class size). 

The William T. Davis Education Program (grades K - 8) covers a variety of subjects, each with its own two-session program. The first takes place in the classroom (at the Davis Center for schools off Staten Island) and the second in the field. The classroom program can also be taken alone. Program titles are It's for the Birds; Garbage, Garbage Everywhere; Mammal Mania; and Be a Tree Detective. Most programs last an hour. Up to 35 students may attend. 

Many other programs are available, including a variety of Outreach Programs which can be delivered in Staten Island Classrooms or at the Davis Center for other schools.

Admission: Adults $2.50, Seniors & Children $1.50.  
Ferry Collection: Adults $1.00, Children $0.25. 
School Programs cost from $65.00 to $90.00, depending on program. 

Reservations: At least 8 weeks in advance (fee must be paid 6 weeks in advance for school programs). 

Handicapped: Accessible. 

Lunch: Local restaurants. 

Directions: I-278 West across Verrazano Bridge. Take the first exit (Bay St.) and proceed until Bay St. becomes Richmond Terrace. Four blocks past the Ferry Terminal turn sharply left onto Stuyvesant Pl. Davis Center is first driveway on left, Museum is one block farther.