Elmira College is a private, residential liberal arts college at One Park Place in Elmira, New York. From Horseheads, you can drive to campus, then arrange a personalized tour or plan a visit around the Mark Twain Study.
- Location: One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901
- Campus tours: approximately one hour
- Mark Twain Study: open to the public at no charge
Where Is Elmira College?
Elmira College sits at One Park Place in Elmira, New York. Founded in 1855, it opened as a college for women with a course of study and degree requirements comparable to those at contemporary men's colleges.
The campus map identifies locations including the Office of Admissions, Cowles Hall, the Mark Twain Study, Gannett-Tripp Library, Campus Field, Campus Center and Meier Hall. It also marks several buildings as being on the National Register of Historic Places, including Cowles Hall, the Mark Twain Study and Carnegie Hall.
How Do You Get to Elmira College from Horseheads?
Drivers coming south on Route 14 through Horseheads can continue on Route 14 South to campus. If you approach on Route 17 (Interstate 86) westbound, take the Elmira exit, Church Street–Route 352 (Exit 56), continue to Main Street (Route 14 North), then follow Route 14 North to campus.
One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901, is the campus GPS address. Enter that address for directions, and use the College's official directions if you need to confirm the approach for your route.
Campus Tours and Visitor Information
Prospective students and families can choose a visit date on the College's online calendar to schedule a personalized campus tour. Tours last approximately one hour; wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Schools, community organizations and counselors can arrange group visits by contacting admissions@elmira.edu. Non-student guests visiting for reasons other than admissions are also asked to arrange their visit through that email address.
The Mark Twain Study and Exhibit are open to the general public at no charge. During summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, a docent staffs the Study Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM; it closes for Elmira College holidays.
In fall, winter and spring, you can view the Study from outside and see the Exhibit in Gannett-Tripp Library, where the visit is self-guided.
Where Can You Park on Campus?
Spaces marked for visitors are reserved around the clock, and vehicles with current College parking stickers may not use them.
For a visit to Gannett-Tripp Library, visitor parking is across Fifth Street, behind the library, in Lot Q at the corner of Fifth Street and Pearl Place. Disability parking is available in Lot L, directly behind the library, in spaces closest to the building.
For the Mark Twain Study, the Center for Mark Twain Studies recommends parking in the lot behind Cowles Hall, off Washington Avenue. Parking arrangements can depend on your destination, so check the official site before you go.
Allowing Time for Your Visit
Set aside about an hour for the campus tour, then allow extra time if you plan to visit the Mark Twain Study and Exhibit. Their access pattern differs by season: during summer the Study has docent hours, while during fall, winter and spring the Study is viewed from outside and the Exhibit is self-guided inside Gannett-Tripp Library.
Emerson Hall is restricted to members of the Elmira College campus community and is not open to the general public.
For a simple Horseheads stop before or after campus, the Horseheads city-centre guide can help you plan time in town.
The Mark Twain Study is viewed from outside during fall, winter and spring. If you are combining campus with other local stops, a one-day Horseheads itinerary for first-time visitors lays out a day in the area.
Elmira College is about a 10-minute drive from Budget Inn Horseheads.
FAQs
How long is an Elmira College campus tour?
The College says its campus tours last approximately one hour. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Is the Mark Twain Study open to the public?
Yes. The Mark Twain Study and Exhibit are offered to the general public at no charge, though access differs between summer and the other seasons.
Can you visit Elmira College without being a prospective student?
Yes, but non-student guests visiting for a purpose other than admissions are asked to contact admissions@elmira.edu to arrange a visit.