The Morgan Library & Museum

Overview

The Morgan Library & Museum is an extraordinary museum, library, and cultural center built around the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. It houses rare manuscripts, medieval illuminated books, and Old Master drawings in stunning Gilded Age rooms.

Highlights

• Morgan's Study: J.P. Morgan's personal study, a lavishly decorated Renaissance Revival room with a 16th-century ceiling, where he conducted billion-dollar deals.
• The Vault: A massive steel vault containing Morgan's most precious manuscripts, including Gutenberg Bibles and handwritten Mozart scores.
• Renzo Piano Expansion: A luminous 2006 addition by Renzo Piano connects the original buildings with glass-walled corridors and a soaring central atrium.

History

J.P. Morgan began collecting rare books and manuscripts in the 1890s. He commissioned Charles McKim to design a palatial private library in 1906. The museum opened to the public in 1924.

Visitor Tips

• Free Friday Evenings: Free admission on Friday evenings from 5–7 PM.
• Dining Court: The elegant glass-roofed central court offers lunch and afternoon tea.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.