The New-York Historical Society has unveiled its new wing for American democracy, and has changed its name to the New York Historical.
The new wing is designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and will open in 2026 in time for the 250th anniversary of the US.
Named after Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang, the ‘Tang Wing for American Democracy’ will house new gallery spaces, classrooms, a courtyard, a rooftop garden with views of Central Park, and the new American LGBTQ+ Museum.
It will also be home to an expanded programme for the Academy for American Democracy, the museum’s award-winning educational initiative. The number of students served will grow from 3,000 to 30,000 annually in the new wing.
The American LGBTQ+ Museum will be located on the top floor. It will include two galleries and the rooftop garden.
Construction on the 70,000-square-foot wing is underway, and full funding has been secured for the $175 million project with a new $20m gift from the Tangs.
The New York Historical’s president and CEO Louise Mirrer said: “This fall brings several important milestones for New York’s first museum. Agnes and Oscar’s most generous gift enables us to greatly expand teaching and celebrating democracy here in New York, our nation’s first capital and the place where George Washington was inaugurated.
“With our new name and look, we are embracing our responsibility not simply as stewards and storytellers of history but, through our education programs reaching 30,000 students each year, as a contemporary leader in ensuring democracy’s future.”
New home for American LGBTQ+ Museum
Highlights in the new wing include a new exhibition hall for the museum’s collection of American art, as well as the Stuart and Jane Weitzman Shoe Museum, and a conservation studio for painting and paper.
As for the museum‘s new name, the hyphen has been removed. This was used since the venue’s founding in 1804. Also, the word “society” has been eliminated to show that the institution is welcoming to all.
The New York Historical will now start raising $10m for exhibitions and programming in the new wing.
Images courtesy of the New York Historical
