VISIT THE MORGAN LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

New York City history shows that this great city was made what it is today with the help of many great men and women. While some names are more recognizable than others (Rockefeller and Vanderbilt come to mind), there are other well-known folks that aren’t spoken of as often in every day conversation.

The Morgan family (as in J.P.), were one of NY’s earliest residents and in the early 1900’s Pierpont Morgan, J.P.’s father, made their home on Madison Avenue in what is now a large museum campus including a their original home, a brownstone that houses what was once Pierpont’s private library as well as his study), a garden courtyard and extensions made necessary by the increase of visitors to the Museum when the library became tour able to the public in 1924.

Pierpont Morgan, known as one of the most influential financiers in the United States’ history, was also a collector of fine art and rare and first edition manuscripts and publications that made him a natural choice to be elected as a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1888.

He was quoted once to say, “No price is too high for an object of unquestioned beauty and known authenticity”. After being in his library and perusing the shelves and displayed pieces, I would say that he lived by that quote. The ornate decorations and elaborate painted ceiling enclose the 3 levels of bookshelves all organized by type (i.e. poetry, history, theatre, etc.) and if you choose to take the audio tour offered (or ask the guard on post in the library) you will learn many fascinating facts about Mr. Morgan (he was part of a prestigious horoscope club) as well as the hidden interior staircases within the library used to gain access to the upper levels).

Showcased currently just in time for the Holiday season is the original handwritten manuscript of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and one of the three Gutenberg Bibles among the Morgan’s private collection of which there are only 50 of these remaining in the World. Early Shakespeare editions, Keats’ Endymion manuscript and Thoreau’s journals are just a few of the many that leave the literature fan in amazement.

Here is the information you will need for visiting the Morgan. Get there quickly to see Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to really make your holiday in NYC complete.

The Morgan Library & Museum


225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street


New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 685-0008 


Hours Tuesday through Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.


Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.


Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Seasonal note: The Morgan closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve and is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day



Admission 
$15 Adults $10 Children (under 16)
$10 Seniors (65 and over)

diana ellefson is a freelance travel writer based in new york city. Find her on her website at Travel. Write. Repeat. and follow her on twitter at @dianaellefson