NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The New-York Historical Society is New York City's oldest museum and one of the nation's most distinguished independent research libraries. Its holdings cover four centuries of American history, and include one of the world’s greatest collections of historical artifacts and art documenting the history of the United States as seen through the prism of New York.

On November 11, 2011, the New-York Historical Society will re-open with new galleries after a three-year, $65 million renovation. Visitors of all ages will have serious fun exploring the past while learning the unfolding story of our nation from the uniquely important vantage point of New York. The renovated New-York Historical Society building will welcome visitors with: 

- A 17-minute, multi-screen film of American history through the lens of New York City.

- A permanent exhibition taking visitors on an interactive journey from colonial times to the September 11 attacks accompanied by multimedia screens and original artifacts.

- The DiMenna Children’s History Museum, the first of its kind in New York, where the past comes to life through the stories of real children from famous figures like Alexander Hamilton, who came to New York as a teenage orphan to attend college, to Esteban Bellan, who was the first Latin American to play in major league baseball in the 19th century.

 - New special exhibitions including Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn, an ambitious exploration of the interconnections among the American, French and Haitian revolutions.

- A new museum restaurant operated by Stephen Starr Restaurants in a light-filled, modern space with views of works in the Historical Society’s Great Hall.

The Luce Center permanent collections will be open by appointment only (call [212] 485-9264). All lectures and public programs will be held at the New York Society for Ethical Culture located at Two West 64th Street.
 

• Directions: Subway: B, C to 81st Street

• Audio Guides: An audio tour of highlights from the New-York Historical Society’s collection is available on-site and online at www.nyhistory.org.
• Coat Check
• Disability Access: For more information about accessibility at the New-York Historical Society, please call 212-485-9232 or 212-873-7489 (TTY), or email your questions to access@nyhistory.org.
• Gift Shops: A well-curated museum store offers apparel, accessories, books, stationery, prints, posters and jewelry for anyone who loves New York or American history.
• On-Site Food: Starting in November 2011, a new museum restaurant operated by Stephen Starr Restaurants in a light-filled, modern space with views of works in the Historical Society’s Great Hall.
• Reference Center: The New-York Historical Society’s research library is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the United States, containing more than three million books, pamphlets, maps, atlases, newspapers, broadsides, music sheets, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and architectural drawings. Among its collections are far-ranging materials relating to the founding and early history of the nation; one of the best collections of 18th century newspapers in the United States; an outstanding collection of materials documenting slavery and Reconstruction; an exceptional collection of Civil War material, including Ulysses S. Grant’s terms of surrender for Robert E. Lee; collections relating to trials in the United States prior to 1860; American fiction, poetry, and belles-lettres prior to 1850; a broad range of materials relating to the history of the circus; and American travel accounts from the colonial era to the present day.
• Space Rental: With a variety of elegant spaces and exhibitions to choose from, your guests are sure to be impressed. In addition, complimentary docent-lead tours may be arranged to enhance the event experience.
• Tours: Tours are available, and a private, one-hour tour through our world-famous collections may be arranged for a group of ten or more.

Get involved with New-York Historical Society

• Donations through New-York Historical Society's Web site
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Memberships