Our Hudson Home

River of life

Carved into the terrain by massive glaciers, the geologic wonder known as the Hudson River is home to thousands of species – including our own. Sometimes called “America's First River,” the Hudson is intimately linked with the birth of our nation and the growth of our metropolis. For centuries, humans have used the river as a transportation corridor, food source and recreational setting – while the wildlife with which we share its bounty has struggled to survive.

Overlooking the vast river and Liberty State Park, Our Hudson Home explores the often complex relationship between nature and humanity in this special and distinct ecosystem. This hands-on learning experience will highlight the balance required for commerce, recreation and environmental preservation to co-exist in everyday life.

Exhibition Highlights

► Water Worlds
Explore six aquaria, some as large as 7,000 gallons, to learn about creatures living in the many different environments that make up the Hudson River. At the Harbor Tank, you can operate an underwater robotic vehicle to get a closer view.

Observation Tank
Examine estuary organisms up close, including horseshoe crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, whelks and juvenile fish.

Port Crane
The Port of New York/New Jersey moves vast amounts of merchandise on and off ships every day. Climb aboard a virtual crane and feel of what it’s like to sit 100 feet in the air, performing the difficult task of loading and unloading cargo. Just be sure you don’t drop the container! You could smash a waiting truck or dump valuables into the water!

► River Rapture
At a 20-foot long sediment table, you can take control of the water and sediment in the Hudson River! But don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Control “rainfall” in the mountains, create dams and levees, and learn more about how sedimentation, erosion and pollution control work.

Experiment Station
Don a lab coat, follow instructions on a touch screen, and set up your own mini-ecological experiments.

Our Hudson Home is made possible by the generosity of NASA, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the Victoria Foundation, the Charles Hayden Foundation and the New York Shipping Association.