Museum of the City of New York, New York, United States

The Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) is a history and art museum in Manhattan. It was founded by Henry Collins Brown in 1923 to preserve and present the history of New York City, and its people.

The red brick with marble trim museum was built in 1929–30 and was designed by Joseph H. Freedlander in the neo-Georgian style, with statues of Alexander Hamilton and DeWitt Clinton by sculptor Adolph Alexander Weinman facing Central Park from niches in the facade.

The museum's collection of over 1.5 million items, which is particularly strong in objects dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, include paintings, drawings, prints, including over 3000 by Currier and Ives, and photographs featuring New York City and its residents, as well as costumes, decorative objects and furniture, antique toys, ship models, rare books and manuscripts, marine and military collections, police and fire collections, and a theater collection which documents the golden age of Broadway theater. There are also dioramas about the city's history as well as its physical environment.

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User Reviews

Devin M (2 years ago)
Museum was very cool with lots of very interesting exhibits. The staff at the front counter were rude but everything else about this museum is great. I really enjoyed the great gingerbread bake off display as well.

Mendel Berkowitz (2 years ago)
Super interesting place. I came alone and came to learn, which I did. The history of the city is fascinating, and the museum actually does a superb job is presenting that. The building is nice, clean and accessible, and not at all crowded. (I went on a Thursday evening). Also, the gift shop is wild (& made me wish I had more $$$?) Would definitely recommend for nerds!

Andrew Vilade (2 years ago)
A nice place to learn tons about the greatest city in the world! The film section is definitely worth checking out. I sort of wish they had more to the place, but in the end it was at least worth the money spent.

Caitlin Wasilewsky (2 years ago)
A very cool museum, definitely worth a visit. It’s pay what you feel admission, but the recommended is $20 per adult but free if you have ID NYC cards. Some of the exhibitions are amazing. We really love the activist room and definitely spent more time then we should’ve. The top floor has the century exhibition which is nice but the other exhibits were more interesting in my opinion. There’s a cafe too

Cameron Wasilewsky (2 years ago)
This is a great museum. I would highly recommend it. In particular, the activist of New York was an amazing exhibition that really stood out to me as something that was different and well structured. It was easy to go through each section and understand what the point of view was where it came from. What changed over time? The video as well on the ground floor was unbelievably. Interesting to see how New York has changed over time, where it started and that where it's going and overall a good museum where you can jump between the different sections and easily find your way

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Museum of the City of New York

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