The New-York Historical Society, located on the Upper West Side of New York, is one of the oldest museums and research libraries in the United States, founded in 1804. It holds a vast collection of artifacts, artworks, and documents that capture the rich history of New York City and the nation.
The Society's permanent collection includes over 1.6 million works, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings. Notably, it houses one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings in the world, featuring works by Thomas Cole and Asher B. Durand. The library of the New-York Historical Society holds over 3 million books, pamphlets, maps, newspapers, manuscripts, prints, photographs, and architectural drawings.
A lesser-known fact is that the Society’s holdings include the original draft of George Washington's farewell address. It also owns a collection of over 10,000 culinary-related items, the James Beard collection, which highlights the history of food and dining in America.
The Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture, located within the Society, is an innovative space that allows visitors to view a significant portion of the museum’s collection in an open storage format. This center includes items such as Tiffany lamps, Audubon watercolors, and artifacts from the American Revolution.
Among the hidden gems, the New-York Historical Society’s collection includes the original handwritten copy of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and a lock of his hair. Additionally, the museum has a significant collection of items related to the history of slavery in America, including shackles, auction blocks, and documents related to the slave trade.
The New-York Historical Society also features the DiMenna Children's History Museum, which is designed to engage children with history through interactive exhibits and family learning programs. It is noted for its focus on the experiences of young people in New York City over the centuries.
Another trivia is the extensive collection of Tiffany glass, which includes windows, lamps, and mosaics designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Society’s collections also include significant Civil War artifacts, such as uniforms, weapons, and personal letters from soldiers.
The New-York Historical Society is also renowned for its rich collection of manuscripts and rare books, including the John Jay papers, and the original minutes of the Continental Congress. The Society’s impressive holdings of newspapers and periodicals are invaluable resources for historians and researchers.
In terms of architecture, the Society’s building itself is of historical interest. The current building, designed by York and Sawyer, opened in 1908 and is an example of Beaux-Arts design. The building underwent a major renovation in 2011, which included the creation of a new entrance on Central Park West, improving accessibility and visitor flow.
Overall, the New-York Historical Society offers a comprehensive and detailed look into the history of New York and the United States, preserving countless artifacts and documents that tell the story of the nation’s past.