New-York Historical Society

New-York Historical Society – Overview

Visit the New-York Historical Society, founded in 1804 as New York’s first museum!

Highlights

A trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the New-York Historical Society. It houses four centuries of history and art – plus the only Children’s History Museum in the area. The museum hits the spot for anyone craving an offbeat – and often surprising – bite of the city’s culture easily digested in an hour or two. Quirky, smart, immersive and across the street from beautiful Central Park, it offers a rich taste of the city.

Established in 1804, the museum is New York’s first museum. The founders of the museum thought that it was necessary to preserve original records and authentic documents in order to preserve history. Without the aid of those artifacts, history would be nothing but fables and conjectures.

Therefore, the museum offers an impressive number of art, objects, artifacts, and documents. Enduring history and finding explanations, causes, and insights – those are the objectives of the New-York Historical.

You may also enjoy the Museum at Eldridge Street!

NOTE: Vaccination and mask are still required prior to entry

Current exhibitions
“Turn Every Page”: Inside the Robert A. Caro Archive (ongoing)
Objects Tell Stories (ongoing)
Gallery of Tiffany Lamps (ongoing)
Meet the Presidents and Oval Office (ongoing)
Audubon Birds of America (ongoing)
Roy J. Zuckerberg Hall of Silver (ongoing)

Installations

“When I Play, People Listen” (ongoing)
Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America (ongoing)
Women’s Voices (ongoing)
Time Inc: The World in Words and Pictures (ongoing)
History Responds: A Shot at Hope (ongoing)
New York’s Liberty Bell (ongoing)
The Waldorf Astoria Lobby Clock (ongoing)
Picasso’s Le Tricorne (ongoing)
Nari Ward’s We the People (ongoing)
Lady Pink’s Vote Mural (ongoing)

Films
New York Story (20 minutes)
We Rise (20 minutes)

Special Treats
NY History Store
Parliament (cafe)
Storico (restaurant)

The Collection: New Conversations

August 11, 2023 – ongoing

LINK: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/the-collection-new-conversations

What new stories can familiar works of art tell? This exhibition showcases long-standing favorites from our permanent collection alongside recent Museum acquisitions and selected loans. Pointed juxtapositions raise questions, create unexpected resonances, and shift established meanings. Artists include Betye Saar, Johannes Oertel, Martin Wong, Oscar yi Hou, Thomas Cole and Courtney M. Leonard.

 

Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of Andre Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers

September 8, 2023 – January 28, 2024

LINK:https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/enchanting-imagination-french-jewelers

This dazzling exhibition of meticulously created objets d’art is on view to the public for the very first time. Andre Chervin is one of the most acclaimed makers of handcrafted fine jewelry in the world. HIs enchanting one-of-a-kind lamps, clocks, figurines, boxes, personal accessories, and table decorations are fashioned in gold and silver with gems such as rubies, diamonds, and sapphires and masterfully carved semi-precious stones like jadeite jade, lapis lazuli, amethyst and rock crystal quartz. Our dramatic display features approximately 50 miniature masterpieces.

 

Acts of Faith: Religion and the American West

September 22, 2023 – February 25 2024

LINK: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/acts-of-faith-religion-and-the-american-west

The “American West,” as we know it today, emerged during the 1800s in the crucible of US expansion. But what did religion have to do with it? And how did expansion help create the diverse religious landscape of our country today? This exhibition takes you beyond the mythologized “Wild West” of popular culture and presents a fuller and surprising picture of the woodlands of New York to the valleys of California.

 

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

November 24, 2023 – February 4, 2024

LINK: https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/holiday-express-2023-toys-and-trains-jerni-collection

The annual wintertime tradition for kids of all ages returns to New-York Historical. The Jerni Collection epitomizes a golden age of toy manufacture and transportation. It includes unique, handcrafted and hand-painted pieces from approximately 1850 to 1940 setting the stage for the Golden Age of Toy Trains.

 

Prices & Tickets
Regular Price With Voucher
Adult $22.00 $18.00
Seniors/Educators/Active Military $17.00 $14.00
Students $13.00 $10.00
Kids (5-13 years old) $6.00 $5.00
monday Closed
tuesday 11:00 - 17:00
wednesday 11:00 - 17:00
thursday 11:00 - 17:00
friday 11:00 - 20:00
saturday 11:00 - 17:00
sunday 11:00 - 17:00

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Smartsave benefits
20% off guaranteed
Valid for up to 6 people
Open-dated free vouchers
E-voucher
Print & go!
Prices & Tickets
Regular Price With Voucher
Adult $22.00 $18.00
Seniors/Educators/Active Military $17.00 $14.00
Students $13.00 $10.00
Kids (5-13 years old) $6.00 $5.00
monday Closed
tuesday 11:00 - 17:00
wednesday 11:00 - 17:00
thursday 11:00 - 17:00
friday 11:00 - 20:00
saturday 11:00 - 17:00
sunday 11:00 - 17:00
What you should know
  • 20% off all museum admission tickets except group reservations.
  • Each coupon is valid for one to six people.