Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Roger Tory Peterson Institute WNY Art Museum - Where Art and Nature Meet - Art that Matters to the Planet - Follow us to connect to Art, Nature & Each Other

Home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s work, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is a leader for the study, exhibition and nurturing of art that matters to the planet. At the nexus of art and conservation, RTPI is a living embodiment of the Peterson Field Guide; a trusted source of information, inspiration and illumination; a gateway to the natural area wonders that inspired Roger t

o his career as one of the world’s premier artist-naturalists and international ambassador for the protection of nature; a leader for driving the cultural economy of Jamestown and the surrounding area.

Teachers, this one's for you! Thank you for all you do, and nothing beats kicking off the school year with a visit to RT...
08/31/2026

Teachers, this one's for you! Thank you for all you do, and nothing beats kicking off the school year with a visit to RTPI!

Gift shop hours Tuesday-Sunday 10-4

118 years ago today, Roger Tory Peterson was born! A Jamestown native, Roger made birding accessible to millions by desi...
08/28/2026

118 years ago today, Roger Tory Peterson was born! A Jamestown native, Roger made birding accessible to millions by designing a field guide that helped anyone go outside and quickly identify the birds they saw. In his paintings, he designed his birds by setting them up facing the same way, and pointing out their defining features or "field marks" with little black arrows. A field mark could be a bright color on a wing, tail shape, beak shape, or the color of their eye ring—anything that made them unique from other similar-looking species. Roger Tory Peterson also did a lot for the early Environmental Movement, performing research on the effects of DDT on wildlife and how the harmful chemical brought birds like the American osprey to the brink of extinction. Audubon Magazine described him perfectly in a 1961 issue: “As a naturalist, Peterson has the soul of an artist and as an artist the soul of a naturalist.”

Happy birthday, Roger!

The Bird Day Dash is just 3 days away!!Sign up online through Friday, August 28th at NOON! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UPhttps://...
08/26/2026

The Bird Day Dash is just 3 days away!!

Sign up online through Friday, August 28th at NOON! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Jamestown/BirdDayDash

Join us at RTPI to cheer our runners on as they cross the finish line for a family- friendly event!

➡Enjoy FREE museum admission
🌭Best of Buffalo, Hope’s Smoothies, and Cups & Cones will have food available for purchase
🎨Kids activities
🎧DJ from 10am to 1pm
Raffle Baskets
Yard Games
🥇Awards for Top Finishers

Thank you to our sponsors who helped make this event possible! See you all at the finish line!

Our store hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10-4. We hope to see you soon!
08/26/2026

Our store hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10-4. We hope to see you soon!

🎨 Save the date for the RTPI Plein Air Festival Show & Sale — September 19–20!There’s something special about seeing a p...
08/24/2026

🎨 Save the date for the RTPI Plein Air Festival Show & Sale — September 19–20!

There’s something special about seeing a place through an artist’s eyes. During our Plein Air Festival, artists will be out and about capturing the beauty of our region (all over WNY!) — and you’ll have the chance to see and purchase their freshly created works at RTPI.

✨ Saturday evening, join us for a festive reception and awards ceremony. Meet the artists, stroll through the galleries, and enjoy an exciting collection of artwork created during the festival.

If you loved last year’s event, just wait — this year will be even bigger and better!

🎨 Artists: There’s still time to sign up and be part of the festival! https://rtpi.org/events/2026-plein-air-festival/

📅 September 19–20
📍 Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Come celebrate art, artists, and the beauty of Western New York and Chautauqua County!

This online conference sounds amazing...we have deep respect for the authors and speakers and the work that John Muir La...
08/23/2026

This online conference sounds amazing...we have deep respect for the authors and speakers and the work that John Muir Laws and Wild Wonder Foundation does!

Address

311 Curtis Street Extension
Jamestown, NY
14701

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+17166652473

Website

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