Tucked into the quiet corner of 36th & Madison is a beautiful stonework building & a relatively nondescript brownstone with a big secret. Inside is the soaring, opulent, private library of financier of J.P. Morgan. The Morgan Library & Museum is filled with his historic collection of books & manuscripts – the building is simply magnificent.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
I stopped by on a chilly Sunday morning to browse the collection for a bit & to check out a special exhibit on Ernest Hemingway. Visitors can see three public rooms: the library itself, Morgan’s private study & the librarian’s office. Outside these rooms is an ornate rotunda, capped with a domed ceiling that looks straight out of Renaissance Italy. In addition to the main library, visitors can see his private study, which includes a vault filled with Morgan’s especially rare volumes & manuscripts.
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
In contrast to the ornate, intricate details of the library itself is the airy, light filled glass cube that serves as the entrance to the library & museum. Like many similar projects, it was built not without controversy, but I felt that the bright space was very welcoming.
(left) photo provided by Flickr creative commons license; (right) (C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
I strolled around for about an hour, my mouth agape most of the time in the utter beauty I was surrounded by. I think I whispered to myself “Oh wow” about a hundred times & for some time, just sat on a bench & enjoyed looking around. A ticket is not cheap – $18 for an adult, including admission into special exhibits – but oh so worth it (check the website for free admission hours, which occur on Friday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons).
(C) Christina Saull – All Rights Reserved
Your pictures are a proof that it’s a “WOW” place to be in and should not be missed. Thank you for sharing with us
The library is just gorgeous and I can practically smell the books through the photos – my kind of place – art, architecture, design, library, history. I love learning about hidden NYC places of history and am adding this to my list for the next visit to NYC – just when I thought I’ve done it all there’s always a new hidden spot to add
Awesome library!! Visiting there would be a great experience.
This is a wonderful building! The architecture was just jaw dropping, the furnishings were amazing and the history was fascinating. I never would have gone except for your recommendation. We stopped to see it and then went into the Village for lunch. What a great day in New York City.
I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit! Isn’t it a great hidden gem?
what i wouldn’t give to actually read some of those books and relax in that library while reading them :)