National Historic Landmark

Pierpont Morgan Library

New York, New York County, New York
Listed
November 13, 1966
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
66000544

About this property

The Morgan Library & Museum (formerly the Pierpont Morgan Library; colloquially the Morgan) is a museum and research library in New York City, New York, United States. Completed in 1906 as the private library of the banker J. P. Morgan, the institution is housed at 225 Madison Avenue in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. As of 2024, the museum is directed by Colin B. Bailey and governed by a board of trustees. The site was formerly occupied by several Phelps family residences, one of which was sold to J. P. Morgan in 1880. After collecting thousands of objects in the late 19th century, Morgan erected the main building between 1902 and 1906, with Belle da Costa Greene serving as its first librarian for more than four decades. 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 completed in 2010 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's collection has more than 350,000 objects, which include 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 original building's architecture have received praise over the years, while the annexes' architecture has received mixed commentary.

Location

33 E. 36th St.
New York, New York County, New York
40.74900, -73.98126

Categories

COMMERCEECONOMICSEDUCATIONARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

DeLamar Mansion
Industrial
0 mi
Church of the Incarnation and Parish House
Industrial
0.1 mi
33rd Street Subway Station (IRT)
Industrial
0.1 mi
Douglas, Adelaide L. T., House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Murray Hill Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Kip's Bay
1776Revolutionary War
0.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Pierpont Morgan Library listed on the National Register?

Pierpont Morgan Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 13, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Pierpont Morgan Library?

Pierpont Morgan Library is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Pierpont Morgan Library a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Pierpont Morgan Library has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Pierpont Morgan Library?

The period of significance for Pierpont Morgan Library is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Pierpont Morgan Library?

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