About the Humanist Center

he Humanist Center is the international headquarters of the Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS). Located at 48 Howard Street in the heart of downtown Albany--the capital of New York State--the Humanist Center is within one block of the state Capitol and legislative office buildings.

In addition to fourteen offices, the 5,800 square foot Humanist Center has a large boardroom, a freethought library and several meeting spaces. The library contains books, magazines and newsletters relating to humanism and freethought. It is open to scholars and the public by appointment.

The Humanist Center has hosted events with over 100 participants. Its central location also allows the Institute to host and facilitate conferences of all sizes. Within a five-minute walk from the Humanist Center are dozens of facilities that can accommodate events ranging from several dozen attendees to tens of thousands.

The Institute for Humanist Studies purchased the three-story, fourteen office building in January, 2005. Built c.1907, the elegant brick and stone building is an outstanding example of Albany's distinguished architectural heritage.

he Humanist Center houses the Albany staff and operations of the Institute for Humanist Studies. IHS promotes humanism, a nonreligious philosophy based on reason and compassion. From the Humanist Center, the staff of IHS works to advance human rights, secular ethics and the separation of religion and government.

The Institute's public policy department lobbies the New York State Legislature on issues of concern to freethinkers. The Center's location on the doorstep of New York's state government provides the IHS registered lobbyist with easy access to legislators and government officials. It also places the Institute at the forefront of large advocacy groups that maintain a presence in the state capital. And IHS is a founding member of the Secular Coalition for America, which is bringing this lobbying initiative to the U.S. Congress.

Working with the International Humanist and Ethical Union, IHS leaders also travel regularly from the Humanist Center to the United Nations to represent humanist views.

IHS operates the Continuum of Humanist Education, the world's first interactive, online curriculum centered around humanist thought. And through its free e-zine, Humanist Network News, IHS delivers a weekly dose of news, humor, and opinion.

The IHS Grant Fund supports the most promising humanist projects around the world. IHS also helps other groups by offering free Web hosting to humanist websites through Humanists.net.

For more information about humanism, IHS programs and activities, please visit our links page.