Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum (originally known as the Pierpont Morgan Library; colloquially the Morgan) is a museum and research library at 225 Madison Avenue in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, U.S. Completed in 1906 as the private library of the banker J. P. Morgan, the institution has more than 350,000 objects. As of 2024, the museum is directed by Colin B. Bailey and governed by a board of trustees.
Former name
Pierpont Morgan Library
1906 (private library)
March 28, 1924 (public institution)
225 Madison Avenue (at East 36th Street), Manhattan, New York City
274,000 (fiscal year 2019)[3]
Charles Follen McKim (main building)
Benjamin Wistar Morris (main building annex)
Isaac Newton Phelps (231 Madison Avenue)
Renzo Piano and Beyer Blinder Belle (expansion)
06101.000434
0239, 1119, 2114
November 13, 1966 (main building)[5]
November 13, 1966 (main building)[10]
June 23, 1980[6]
The site was formerly occupied by several Phelps family residences. J. P. Morgan purchased one of these residences in 1880 and, after collecting thousands of objects in the late 19th century, erected the main library building between 1902 and 1906. The library was made a public institution in 1924 by J. P. Morgan's son John Pierpont Morgan Jr., in accordance with his father's will, and further expansions were completed in 1928, 1962, and 1991. The Morgan Library was renamed the Morgan Library & Museum after the completion of a major expansion in 2006. Further renovations were carried out during 2010, as well as between 2019 and 2022.
The Morgan Library & Museum is composed of several structures. The main building was designed by Charles McKim of the firm of McKim, Mead and White, with an annex designed by Benjamin Wistar Morris. A 19th-century Italianate brownstone house at 231 Madison Avenue, built by Isaac Newton Phelps, is also part of the grounds. The complex includes three additional structures, including a glass entrance building designed by Renzo Piano and Beyer Blinder Belle. The main building and its interior is a New York City designated landmark and a National Historic Landmark, while the house at 231 Madison Avenue is a designated city landmark.
The Morgan Library & Museum contains illuminated manuscripts, authors' original manuscripts, books, and sheets of music. The Morgan also houses collections of drawings, photographs, paintings, maps, and other objects. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum has hosted temporary exhibitions, as well as events such as concerts and lectures. Both the collection and the buildings have received commentary over the years.
Programming and events[edit]
Various events and programs are also hosted at the Morgan, such as concerts, films, and lectures.[287] Since the 1950s, the museum has hosted concerts and tours.[102] In 2006, it began hosting regular concerts and recitals in Gilder Lehrman Hall.[198] In addition, guided tours of the permanent collection are hosted each afternoon except Monday.[288] The Morgan also operates several classes for school groups.[289] Parties are hosted at the Morgan annually, such as the Young Fellows Summer Cocktail Party[290] and Mr. Morgan's Winter Gala.[291]
The Morgan hosts exhibits on a variety of topics throughout the year.[292] In the mid-20th century, the Morgan's annual exhibits included showcases of recent acquisitions[c] and rare books.[294] Temporary exhibitions were staged in the annex buildings, while the main building was reserved for Morgan's main collection.[33] Until the Morgan Library's expansion was completed in 1991, the institution had so little space that parts of the permanent collection had to be hidden from view whenever there was a temporary exhibition.[295] Although the 1991 expansion allowed for more temporary exhibitions,[296] the museum could host only one exhibition at once, and it often could not display its permanent collection.[154][179] After the 2006 expansion, it could host multiple exhibitions at once.[154][179]
Buildings[edit]
Main building[edit]
The main building (also known as the McKim Building) was constructed between 1902 and 1906 as the original structure in the complex. It was designed in the Classical Revival style by Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead & White.[43][75][297] The original building occupies a lot of 117 by 50 feet (36 by 15 m)[62][63] and was intended to be built in a similar scale to contemporary New York Public Library branches.[43] The center of the original structure contains an extension measuring 73.5 feet (22.4 m) long, giving the structure a "T" shape;[62] this small wing was intended to connect to a similar structure along 37th Street.[35] The original library building is placed behind a solid-bronze fence with hand-twisted bars.[62]
