The New York Historical is dedicated to increasing worldwide understanding of American history through exhibitions, public programs, online outreach, and research that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world today. New York’s first museum, we are a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. 

The New York Historical has embarked on a transformative $175 million capital campaign to build the 70,000-square-foot, five-floor Tang Wing for American Democracy which will house the first-ever home of the American LGBTQ+ Museum and significantly expand The New York Historical’s exhibition and educational capabilities, including programming and education centered on the history of the LGBTQ+ community—opening in 2026.