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New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, New York City: Hours, Address, New-York Historical Society Museum & Library Reviews: 4.5/5

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New-York Historical Society Museum & Library

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New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
4.5
826
#92 of 1,323 things to do in New York City
Speciality Museums • Art Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The New-York Historical Society features a host of permanent and rotating exhibitions that explore the history of New York City and the nation. The oldest museum in New York City, New-York Historical is home to a vast collection of objects, documents, and art, including one of the world’s largest collections of Tiffany glasswork, a recreation of the Oval Office, and the Center for Women's History, revealing the untold stories of women who have shaped the American experience.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Nestled between Central Park and the Hudson River, the Upper West Side offers iconic architecture and a quiet, residential respite from the buzzing energy of downtown. Along Central Park West are many of the city’s most iconic apartment buildings, as well as the American Museum of Natural History, which has been welcoming visitors to its historic exhibit halls for over 140 years. Culture fans will love Lincoln Center, home to some of the world’s best opera, dance, film, and theater performances, all centrally located around a beautiful fountain. Spanning the entire length of the Upper West Side, Riverside Park is ideal for a long, leisurely stroll in a quiet green space.
How to get there
  • 81st St – Museum of Natural History • 5 min walk
  • 72nd St • 5 min walk
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Popular mentions
4.5
826 reviews
Excellent
471
Very good
232
Average
71
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30
Terrible
22
LWL3333
Wellington, FL18,097 contributions
Bob Hope & Co.
Aug 2021
Last week my wife and I, along with two of our friends, returned to this, one of our favorite New York City museums. The main exhibit now is about Bob Hope's many trips overseas to entertain the troops in WW II--not my favorite exhibit, but truthfully, all of their exhibits are interesting, as we both are American history buffs. Note that the museum is now only open on Fri, Sat and Sun.
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynn C
New York City, NY54,302 contributions
Really nice museum
May 2021 • Couples
Really great museum. I loved the Tiffany Lamp collection- so colorful and beautiful antique lamps. They had a great Mrs Maisel amd Bob Hope Exhibit and a Presidential Exhibit. Really enjoyed the few hours we spent here
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
hrobinson1114
Hopkinsville, KY2,384 contributions
One of my favorites on the NYC circuit
Mar 2021
The more I see in NYC, the more I champion the smaller museums. They tend to be more thoughtful, easier to navigate, more manageable, and more enjoyable.

The New York Historical Society is clean, well-lit, bright, roomy. Their ever changing exhibits are well organized and displayed. Even though a few galleries were closed for the setup of new exhibits when I went, there was still plenty to see.

Their artifact room is most impressive, full of oddities. The death masks of Aaron Burr and Abe Lincoln are here, along with many others. I loved their sculpture exhibit. There were so many things to see—furniture, models, architectural pieces. A piece of the railing from the Federal Building where Washington was inaugurated. The only life-sized model of Lincoln’s head from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

I also really like the interactive kiosks that allow you to explore things in-depth, without posting a bunch of clunky plaques on the wall. The museum provided a free stylus in times of COVID. To be honest, this museum was one of the most pandemic-conscious, cautious museums I’ve been to, and I appreciated that.

They also have a gorgeous and vast collection of Tiffany lamps and glass. They have the clock from the Waldorf Astoria. They have a full scale model of the Oval Office and a super good exhibit on presidents. So well laid out and easy to follow, very informative, but not so much info you’re overwhelmed.

They also have an Audubon room where you can view all his prints (currently closed).

I loved all of their floating exhibits too—the Asian art exhibits and related Black Lives Matter art. So vivid and engaging.

I’m excited to see what else comes to this museum. I’ve already seen some upcoming exhibitions I’d like to see.
Written March 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
christopherbO9687MP
Acton, MA359 contributions
Excellent collection of artifacts related to NYC located next to Museum of Natural History
Oct 2020
The current contents of this Museum includes special exhibits on:
US census taking through the years
a full-scale replica of the Oval Office
Tiffany lamps & silverware, which I didn't know came from two separate companies
artwork used to promote local rock concerts in the 1960's & 1970's
several movies about NYC's history (general and specific to the woman's suffergete movement)
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
1060WestAddison
Washington DC, DC162 contributions
Interesting for adults, not so much for kids
Feb 2020
We didn't have time before our Amtrak to go to one of the larger museums. We chose this one because is was relatively close to our hotel and it had a special exhibit featuring the Richard Scarry "BusyTown" characters.

While we enjoyed our visit, many of the exhibits just weren't that interesting (such as the Alexander McQueen fashion - not that relevant or interesting). The children's area was great, but very text-heavy. Kids under 7 or 8 might get bored quickly because the interactive activities are complex. (The adults in our group liked it more than the kids!)

Our favorite exhibit was the "mourning jewelry" made from human hair. It was cool!
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrew H
84 contributions
Surprising
Feb 2020 • Friends
This isn’t quite a hidden gem, but it is not mentioned often on lists of Must Do activities in New York. It should be.

The Historical Society is a well-arranged collection of treasures, most notably the Audubon art and the Tiffany lamp collection. You’ll also find Picasso here, and locks of hair from several notable Americans. Seriously, this place covers a lot of ground. Well worth the visit!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Irv B
Willimantic, CT198 contributions
Gem of a small museum
Feb 2020
We walked from 84th and Amsterdam, wove around the Natural History Museum, oh and did some window shopping and buying and walk up stairs, past a bronze of Fredrick Douglas into -- - structured mayhem. Apparently someone rented the museum for an engagement party to begin that evening. But that was the laugh part- -the museum had three exhibits my family wanted to see: Silhouettes, tiffany lamps, and a rolling exhibit of the culture of NY city.

You dare not stop to touch the buttons. Docents abound and are eager to share their passion for for instance the women's sufferage wall and exhibit . .. just very modern touch screens that go deeper and deeper into the lives of women who led.

And tiffany. Ah the glass lamps (over 200) and I URGE you to go and go up into the balcony and look down INTO these lamps and their dancing colors.

Silhouette room. And on and on.. but we had wanted to see these captures of a more unhurried age. The guards were helpful directive and knew much about what was going on in their areas. It was refreshing that they too had caught the 'bug' .. and were demonstrably interested in what was happening. At the end of silhouettes was a chair/ glass and point light source to photo your person's silhouettes --- wow.

The gift shop was warm helpful and welcoming.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
William McC
Boston, MA299 contributions
Many surprising treasures await
Jan 2020
The Museum of Natural History was packed shoulder-to-shoulder on a Saturday afternoon, so we came here instead for "air," and how surprised we were by the treasures within! The Tiffany exhibit was dazzling, extensive, and highly informative -- one quickly came to appreciate the depth of artistry and craft involved, including the pioneering role played by a key female designer. Railroads, waterfronts, skyscrapers, fine art. Even the timeless wit and wisdom of Mark Twain. It's all here. On a modest scale in some cases, yes, but as with the State it celebrates, close attention is richly rewarded.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LakeMamie
Guilford, CT53 contributions
Tiffany exhibit is exquisite
Feb 2020
We went specifically to see the Tiffany exhibit (thought we did see everything), which has over 100 examples of Tiffany lamps, primarily designed by Clara Driscoll and the "Tiffany Girls." It was luminous. The designs and colors, were beautifully lit and displayed. And it was very enlightening to learn about Mrs. Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls, who have gotten very little credit heretofore for their work. If you go and if you have time and/or interest, I suggest reading the very engaging book entitled, "Clara and Mr. Tiffany." And the restaurant is superb!
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JesseJ
Cornelius, NC5 contributions
A too modest attempt to tell a huge story
Nov 2019
The New York Historical Society Museum would be a good find in lesser cities. The exhibits all are well done, well curated, the facilities themselves are very pleasant. Perhaps there simply is too much history to be told, maybe editing what is displayed cannot allow any meaning to its history. But to me it does not compare to any other museum I have visited in NYC.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about New-York Historical Society Museum & Library
New-York Historical Society Museum & Library is open:
  • Fri - Fri 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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