A Gateway to New York’s Heritage
Step into a space where the history of the city and the nation unfolds before you. Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the New York Historical is not just a museum; it is an institution that predates the Metropolitan Museum of Art by nearly seven decades. Housed in a grand granite building designed in a classic Roman Eclectic style, this New York City designated landmark offers a deep dive into the American narrative, from the founding of the nation to the evolving identity of the city center.
Art and Artifacts
Walk through galleries that house over 1.6 million works of art, providing you with an intimate look at American craftsmanship and vision. You can explore a world-class collection of Hudson River School paintings by masters like Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, or find yourself standing before iconic portraits by Rembrandt Peale and Gilbert Stuart.
- The Natural World: View all 435 of John James Audubon's extant preparatory watercolors for The Birds of America.
- Decorative Arts: Discover one of the world's largest collections of Tiffany lamps and glasswork, alongside a vast range of representational sculpture from the colonial period to today.
- Historical Objects: Encounter tangible pieces of history, such as George Washington’s camp bed from Valley Forge and the desk where Clement Clarke Moore wrote "A Visit from Saint Nicholas."
- Folk Art & Photography: Explore much of Elie Nadelman's American folk art collection and thousands of photographs captured by Bill Cunningham.
The Research Library
Beyond the gallery walls, the institution houses a research library containing more than three million books, maps, and manuscripts. This expansive archive serves as a repository for some of the most significant documents in American history.
- Founding Documents: See the first documentary evidence of the phrase "United States of America" and an exceptional collection of Civil War material, including Ulysses S. Grant's terms of surrender for Robert E. Lee.
- Diverse Narratives: Explore a distinguished collection of materials documenting slavery and Reconstruction, as well as items relating to the history of the circus and American travel accounts from the colonial era to the present day.
Architectural Grandeur
The building itself is a work of art. Its central block was completed in 1908, with pavilions added in 1938 that stand as among the last examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in the United States. As you move through the space, look for the stained glass windows on the second floor: "The Arrival of Henry Hudson" and the French Huguenot memorial window, which honors religious refugees who sought a new life in New York.
From its origins as New York's first museum in 1804 to its current role as a center for public programs and academic fellowship, the New York Historical offers an immersive journey through time. Visit this landmark on Central Park West to connect with the stories that shaped the American experience.