The New York Historical

Stand clear of the closing doors 🚇 See this work in person alongside other paintings that capture the beauty and grit of NYC in New York, New York: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection, now on view. 📷 Richard Estes, Subway, 1981

New acquisition❗ Castle Garden, painted by Andrew Melrose in 1875, portrays the US's first immigration station, which processed over 7.5 million individuals entering the country through New York between 1855 and 1890. On view on our first floor through February 8.

"It’s time to know your nation’s history, if for no other reason than that it is our only path to building a more perfect union." The case for museums to lead in 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of our nation and its democracy. hyperallergic.com/in-2026-de…

Around the world, democratic institutions are under strain. Why? And what can we do? On Jan 13, join us for The Democracy Project: Confronting the Global Crisis of Governance. Learn more and get tickets at bit.ly/4ptNwQ0

New year, new wing—get a glimpse of the progress on our new Tang Wing for American Democracy, which opens on June 18, 2026! ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/new…

Built in 1799, Gracie Mansion is one of the oldest standing wooden structures in New York City, and from 1942 it has served as the official residence of the Mayor of the City of New York. And now, it has a new tenant. 📷 Gracie House [i.e. Gracie Mansion], 1914.

Visit us on Jan 13, as @ZaraAnishanslin discusses three London-based artists who championed the American Revolution–Patience Wright, Prince Demah, Robert Edge Pine–exploring the role of visual culture in stoking support for the Patriot cause. Learn more: bit.ly/3N8icIV

Breakfast University is recommended by @nytimes! You can still sign up for these monthly history lessons—given at The New York Historical, by America's most popular professors—on our website. nyti.ms/3Nq9i9L

How we're feeling today 😴 Happy New Year! We are open today (Jan 1) with our regular hours, so be sure to visit. 📷 George Whiting Flagg American, Portrait of a Lady Sleeping, ca. 1834. Gift of the New-York Gallery of the Fine Arts

Happy New Year's Eve! Whether you're out celebrating like these ocean liner passengers photographed by Irving Browning, or curled up at home watching the ball drop, we hope it's one to remember. 📷 Irving Browning

Merry Christmas! These merry and bright photos from our library collection give us a glimpse of Christmases past (and a look at some of the gifts kids were getting back then)!

Happy Christmas Eve 🎄 This painting by Cecil Bells shows us a glowing Times Square on the night before Christmas, filled with the bustle of New York City life. You can see this work on view in New York, New York: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection.

Brr! It's the first day of winter, so bundle up out there. 📷 Irving Browning, Child and adult walking through snow in Central Park New York City, 1930s.

"@DM_Rubenstein's hope is that visitors will become familiar with the deeper story of American independence, 'and leave being inspired to protect democracy.'" Declaring the Revolution: American's Printed Path to Independence is on view now. bit.ly/4p2dSZ6

Get a glimpse of the progress on our new Tang Wing for American Democracy! Opening June 2026, this new wing will increase our gallery space by 36% and expand our efforts to educate students in American history and civics. bit.ly/3MDtzsm

On January 3, 1863, Thomas Nast published the first illustration of Saint Nick as we commonly depict him, in Harper's Weekly. Santa was shown visiting Union soldiers during the Civil War. He holds in his hand a toy that negatively represents Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” — George Santayana The philosopher George Santayana was born #onthisday in 1863. 📷 Samuel Johnson Woolf (Time Magazine)

The Boston Tea Party happened #onthisday in 1773. The event soon gained folkloric status, with ballads written about it, including one you can hear in our current exhibition, Declaring the Revolution: America's Printed Path to Independence. Learn more at bit.ly/48ADdEZ

Is there anything more cozy than being snug inside on a snowy winter's day? 🌨️ Visit New York, New York: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection to see this work in person. 📷 Eliot Candee Clark, View from the Van Dyck Studios, ca. 1917-22

"At New York Historical, rare, unheard recordings collected by Claude Lanzmann for his monumental film “Shoah” feature testimonies that still demand to be heard." Read about our new exhibition “The Recordings: Voices from the ‘Shoah’ Tapes" in JTA: bit.ly/4rRutBn