The genesis of the Albany Institute of History & Art began with The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts, and Manufactures, founded in New York City in Federal Hall. The Institutes museum and library holdings form the best collections in the United States documenting the life and culture of the Upper Hudson Valley region from the late seventeenth century to the present day. Although the Institute is famous for its significant Hudson River school paintings, the broad scope of its collections includes fine arts, furnishings, personal objects, documents, manuscripts, photographs, and personal papers used by people of all ages, social classes, economic conditions, and cultural groups. Education programs serve 10,000 students, teachers, adult learners, and families every year. The museum education departments mission is to connect our community to our collections and exhibitions through lifelong learning opportunities that serve toddlers to older adults. The museum shop is open during regular museum hours and offers a selection of items that reflects current exhibitions, items from the collections, and the work of local artists and craftspeople.