The New-York Historical Society is one of America's oldest museums and research institutions, located in New York City. Established on November 20, 1804, by a group of prominent citizens, its mission was to collect, preserve, and interpret historical materials related to the history of United States, with a particular emphasis on New York State and New York City.
History
- Founding: The society was founded to promote the study of history, particularly that of New York. Early members included luminaries like John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and Egoras Mortimer, who all had significant roles in the formation of the United States.
- Early Years: Initially housed in several different locations around NYC, the Society moved into its first permanent home on the corner of Second Avenue and 11th Street in 1857. This building was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, marking it as one of the earliest buildings in America designed specifically for a museum.
- Expansion: Over the years, the society expanded its collections and facilities. A notable expansion occurred in 1937 when the society moved to its current location at 77th Street and Central Park West, into a building designed by York and Sawyer with later expansions by Polshek Partnership.
- Modernization: In the early 2000s, under the leadership of Louise Mirrer, who became president and CEO in 2004, the society underwent a significant renovation to modernize its facilities, expand its educational outreach, and enhance its exhibitions to appeal to a broader audience.
Collections and Exhibitions
The New-York Historical Society boasts an extensive collection:
- Art: The society holds over 1.6 million works of art, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs, focusing on American history and culture.
- Artifacts: It houses over 120,000 artifacts, including furniture, clothing, and decorative arts from different periods of American history.
- Manuscripts: There are more than 12 million manuscript pages, which include letters, diaries, and other documents from notable figures and ordinary citizens.
- Library: The library contains over half a million books, pamphlets, and broadsides, making it one of the largest independent research libraries in the nation.
Exhibitions at the society range from historical retrospectives to contemporary art, often engaging with current events or cultural trends through a historical lens.
Public Programs
The society hosts numerous public programs including lectures, workshops, and special events designed for all ages to engage with history in an interactive and educational manner:
- History Responds: A series where historians respond to current events through the lens of history.
- Family Programs: Offering activities for children and families to learn about history in a fun and engaging way.
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