Morgan Library & Museum: A Unique Destination in New York!

What to Know About the Morgan Library & Museum in New York

• The Morgan Library & Museum is a unique New York library in many ways. This private library was founded in 1906 by Jack Pierpont Morgan Jr. to share with the public the remarkable collection assembled starting in 1890 by his father, financier Jack Pierpont Morgan. The name is famous in the United States—he founded JP Morgan bank, which still exists today.
• The Morgan Library & Museum sits on Madison Avenue at 37th Street, in the heart of Midtown. You won’t miss it—the building stands out for its lavish architecture. The complex consists of three buildings, including John Pierpont Morgan’s original mansion. As you step through the entrance, you’ll be struck by the décor, inspired by ancient Rome and the Italian Renaissance.
• An addition built in 2006 by Italian architect Renzo Piano completes the complex. Piano also designed the New York Times headquarters and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, as well as The Shard in London. This modern wing connects the mansion to a brownstone building through a bright, welcoming atrium.
• The Morgan Library & Museum holds an extraordinary collection of more than 350,000 objects and documents. You’ll find rare books, manuscripts of literary and historical works, and original musical scores. An invaluable collection. One recent major acquisition: in 2008, the museum received several manuscripts by Irish writer Oscar Wilde.

What to See at the Morgan Library & Museum

• The library itself is the main attraction at the Morgan Library & Museum. The space is absolutely fascinating, with wooden shelves beneath impressive ceilings decorated with frescoes. You’ll notice astrological references to Jack Pierpont Morgan’s life, including the ram, symbol of his birth date. Yes, you’re really in New York.
• The Morgan Library & Museum displays some of its treasures to the public. You’ll see three copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed in Europe around 1455. Another priceless document: the Lindau Gospels, a religious text meticulously decorated with illuminations from the 7th century.
• The museum also preserves an incredible collection of handwritten documents by scientists, artists, writers, composers, and historical figures. You can admire musical scores by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Don’t miss letters illustrated by painter Vincent Van Gogh and engravings by Rembrandt. You’ll also find the manuscript of Eugénie Grandet, given by Honoré de Balzac to Madame Hanska, and the original manuscript of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Other precious documents include manuscripts by Napoleon Bonaparte, George Washington, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton.
• On the Madison Avenue side, you can tour the monumental office of Jack Pierpont Morgan. The décor here is equally captivating, with wood paneling, artworks, and rare books. You’ll see the imposing 15th-century Renaissance fireplace, topped with an austere portrait of J. P. Morgan. Look up to admire the spectacular 16th-century coffered ceiling, which was purchased in Italy and carefully reassembled in New York.

Practical Information

• Address: 225 Madison Avenue, between 36th and 37th Streets. The library is located in Midtown Manhattan.
• Subway: 33 St (lines 4 and 6) or Grand Central Terminal (lines 4, 5, 6, 7, and S shuttle)
• Hours: The Morgan Library & Museum is open daily except Mondays, from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Extended hours until 8 pm on Fridays. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and January 1.
• Admission: $25 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for students with valid ID. Free for children under 12. Note: admission to the Morgan Library & Museum is not included in New York tourist passes. You’ll need to buy your ticket on-site. No advance reservation is necessary—unlike observatories or New York’s most popular activities, there’s usually plenty of availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to visit the Morgan Library & Museum?

For a quick visit, plan 1 to 1.5 hours. That gives you time to see the library and JP Morgan’s office. You can easily spend more time here. I’d recommend at least 2 hours to really absorb the space and view the different rooms and objects at a comfortable pace.

What else can I see before or after the Morgan Library & Museum?

The library sits right in the heart of New York, between the Empire State Building and Bryant Park. You could visit the top of the Empire State Building or the SUMMIT observatory in the morning, then head to the library. Afterward, you can continue to Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square.

Photos of the Morgan Library & Museum