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New-York Historical Society | Manhattan, NY

  • Museums
  • Upper West Side
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
New York Historical Society. PBDW architect renovations
Photograph: Courtesy New-York Historical Society/Jon Wallen
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Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

History buffs will love this Upper West Side institution. Built in 1804, it's the oldest museum in New York City. In a nod to history, the museum kept the hyphen in its name—that’s how the city’s name was spelled back in the early 1800s. The New-York Historical Society features more than 1.6 million works that explore the history of the city and the country, including exhibits, art and historical artifacts. The Patricia D. Klingenstein Library has more than three million books, newspapers, maps, photographs and more from our nation’s founding through slavery and Reconstruction and beyond. The Gilder Lehrman Collection is also housed in the New-York Historical Society, where you can view signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment and the Constitution. If all that history makes you hungry or thirsty, enjoy lunch or dinner at Storico, an Italian Starr restaurant, or grab a java at Parliament Espresso and Coffee Bar.

The institution opened a free exhibition mounted in the museum’s rear courtyard, “Hope Wanted: New York City Under Quarantine” on August 14. At the height of the quarantine, writer and human-rights activist Kevin Powell and photographer Kay Hickman spent two days traveling the five boroughs to interview and take photos of ordinary New Yorkers living during an extraordinary moment for the outdoor show.

Its museum and library reopens on September 11.

Don’t miss floor four
The museum recently opened the Henry Luce III Center on the fourth floor, which features a new center for Women’s History and a glowing gallery of 100 beautiful Tiffany lamps.
 
Bring the kids
The DiMenna Children’s History Museum is for children ages 8 to 13 and features 350 years of New York and American history through interactive exhibits and digital games. The exhibits feature New York children who lived in the city from the late 17th through 20th centuries, including Alexander Hamilton. Children under 4 get free admission to the entire museum, while kids ages 5 to 13 pay $6.
 
What to know
The museum stays open late until 8pm on Fridays. On a budget? On Friday nights, entry is pay-as-you-wish from 6 to 8pm. During other hours, adult tickets cost $22, seniors $17 and high school and college students $13. Be prepared to wait in line during peak hours, as there’s no express pass offered here. To beat the crowds, visit on a weekday during working hours.
 
Our New York editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues across the city, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NYC. at your fingertips. New-York Historical Society was most recently updated with new tips on August 21, 2020.

Written by
Cristina Gibson

Details

Address:
170 Central Park West
New York
10024
Cross street:
between 76th and 77th Sts
Transport:
Subway: B, C to 81st St–Museum of Natural History; 1 to 79th St
Price:
$22; seniors, teachers, military $17; students $13; children 5–13 $6; members and children under 5 free. Fri 6–8pm pay what you wish
Opening hours:
Wednesday-Thursday 11 am-5 pm, Friday 11 am-8 pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am – 5 pm
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