Functioning as both a museum housing city artifacts and an extensive research library, the city's oldest museum, the New-York Historical Society, boasts a collection of over 4.5 million pieces of American history. Founded in 1804 and currently located at 77th Street and Central Park West, this important institution showcases astonishing items such as all 435 of the renowned Audubon Birds of America watercolor paintings, a large selection of Tiffany lamps, and George Washington's inauguration chair. History buffs will swoon over the abundance of historical objects -- over 40,000 to be exact -- including maps, political artifacts, genealogical resources, and newspapers dating back to the 18th century.
The society's impressive set of collected works started coming together just a few years after being founded by John Pintard, an employee of the American Academy of Fine Arts. The collection continued to grow into the 20th century, but access became limited in the 1980s due to strained finances, subsequently relieved by a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation in 2005.
Today the museum also acts as an educational institution that offers programs to many schools. In particular, the newly created American Musicals Project supplies teachers with creative lessons that use musicals to teach students about historical periods.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- Museum: Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday: 10am to 6pm, Friday: 10am to 8pm, Sunday: 11am to 5:45pm, Monday: Closed
- Library Hours: Tuesday through Saturday: 10am to 5pm, Sunday and Monday: Closed
- Admission:
- Adults: $10
- Seniors and Teachers: $7
- Students: $6
- Children under 12: Free
- Audio tours are free with admission
- Friday between 6pm to 8pm: Pay what you wish
- Subway Stop:
- 1 train to the 79th Street Station
- B, C trains to the 81st Street/Museum of Natural History Station
- Contact:
- Location: 170 Central Park W New York, NY
- Phone: 212-873-3400
- Website: www.nyhistory.org
