The Treasure is Out There, Something For Everyone
By now you’ve heard of the Tompkins Treasure Hunt, a fundraiser for The History Center in Tompkins County. What you may not know is that we’ve hidden $10,000 worth of jewels somewhere in the county—waiting to be claimed by the very first finder.
This sparkling prize has been provided by our sponsor, The Jewelbox, where every piece is a conversation piece.
How It Works
Register at thehistorycenter.net/tompkins-treasure
Receive puzzles starting September 6 at noon
Solve clues tied to Tompkins County history and culture
Uncover the location and win the treasure!
The hunt is designed by David Wilson, a master puzzle-writer whose creations tie together history, local culture, and clever observation. Past puzzles have sent hunters to a café window full of music posters—where the “out-of-time” 1945 jazz flyer held the next QR code clue. Hunters used the power of observation to connect the poster to the history themed treasure hunt. No digging or climbing required—just a curious mind and a smartphone with a QR reader. The hunt is self-paced, as soon as you solve one puzzle, you can move onto the next. Finish by Monday evening or take all week! But hurry, only the first person to complete the hunt receives the $10,000 jewel prize. All other finishers will receive a special coin created by the Jewelbox for this occasion.
Hunt Solo or as a Team
You can join the hunt on your own, but we encourage friends and families to join together, register just once, and play as a team. After registering, share your team list so everyone can access the Tompkins Treasure Facebook group for updates, community, and a little friendly competition. Here’s a helpful hint, use code “TEAM” for 10% off of registration.
Family-Friendly Fun
While kids can’t claim the $10,000 treasure on their own, we’ve partnered with the Ithaca Children’s Garden to host a special Children’s Treasure Hunt on September 6 at 9:30am. Perfect for ages 8–12 (and younger with adults), this mini-hunt will send kids exploring the garden, each leaving with a gem of their own.
Kick-Off Celebration
Join us at The Jewelbox on September 6 at 11:00am for live music, food trucks, and festivities.
At 12:00pm, the first puzzle will be released via email to all registered participants—and those at the kick-off will get a limited hard-copy version.
Ready to Hunt?
The treasure is hidden. The puzzles are waiting. The only question is: will you be the one to find it?
