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.
See more at NYCkidsArts
Be Sure! Be Safe! Get Vaccinated! Smallpox, Vaccination and Civil Liberties in New York
Tues, May 15, 2012 – Sun, Sept 2, 2012 "Get Vaccinated!"—part of a slogan from an incredibly successful 1947 campaign requesting voluntary vaccination (when five million New Yorkers were vaccinated in two weeks)—will trace the history of smallpox and efforts to manage it in the crowded environs of the nation’s largest city.
Urban Visions: Views of American Cities from the New-York Historical Society Collection
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 – Sun, June 17, 2012 This exhibition features large-scale views of American cities from the 18th century to the present, including maps, prints and photographs. Throughout the centuries, cartographers and artists have been engaged in attempts to show the cityscape as a grandiose entity.
Ted Rosenthal Quintet - Free Friday Night Music
Fri, June 1, 2012 The band performs music from "Images of Monk," Rosenthal’s award-winning album. The suite of Thelonious Monk’s pieces creatively “deranged” by Rosenthal takes a fresh look at Monk with daring arrangements without losing sight of Monk’s swing and wit.
Museum of the City of New York
Manhattan