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The Morgan Library & Museum

A stunning sanctuary of rare books and manuscripts, this museum was once the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan, housed in a grand complex in Manhattan's Murray Hill.

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The Morgan Library & Museum
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0

What is The Morgan Library & Museum known for?

It is a museum and independent non-circulating research library featuring a matchless collection of rare books, manuscripts, drawings, photography, and printed music from 4,000 BCE to the present. Highlights include Old Master drawings, Coptic manuscripts, Near Eastern cylinder seals, and some of America's finest medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts.

What are the hours?

The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday through Sunday from 10:30 AM to 5 PM, and Friday from 10:30 AM to 8 PM.

How much does it cost?

General admission for adults is $25. Disabled visitors receive a discounted rate of $13, and accompanying caregivers are free.

Is it free?

While general admission is paid, the museum offers Free Friday Evenings from 5 PM to 8 PM. Reservations are required, and tickets become available one week in advance.

What is the history of the building?

Founded by financier J. Pierpont Morgan, the original library building was constructed between 1902 and 1906 as his private library adjacent to his residence on Madison Avenue.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Morgan Library & Museum is a one-of-a-kind cultural institution located at 225 Madison Avenue in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood. Founded by financier and collector J. Pierpont Morgan, the original library building was completed in 1906 as his private sanctuary for his growing collection. Construction of the facility began in 1902 and was situated adjacent to Morgan's residence on Madison Avenue and 36th Street. Today, the institution functions as both a museum and an independent non-circulating research library. It is housed in a complex of four major buildings that hold a matchless collection of rare books, manuscripts, drawings, and works on paper. The holdings range from 4,000 BCE to the present day, encompassing Old Master drawings, Coptic manuscripts, and Near Eastern cylinder seals. Visitors can explore the finest collection in America of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, as well as musical manuscripts and photography. The museum continues to embrace creativity and expand knowledge through its rotating exhibitions, such as the 2026 exhibition 'Friends Who Came to See Me: Drawings from John Ashbery’s Collection'. Under the direction of Colin B. Bailey as of 2024, the museum maintains its legacy as a a place of intellectual pursuit. The site offers a serene environment for those wishing to delve into the history of the written word and the artistic mastery of illuminated texts.

Visitor tips

  • Adult admission is $25, but you can secure free tickets for Friday evenings from 5–8 PM with reservations made one week in advance.
  • Plan your visit for a Friday if you want to stay later, as the museum is open until 8 PM on that day.
  • Visit between May 1 and November 1 to access the Morgan Garden, which is open Fridays through Sundays.
  • Disabled visitors can access discounted admission of $13, and accompanying caregivers enter for free.

Nearby context

The Morgan Library & Museum serves as a quiet, intellectual anchor in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, providing a contrast to the surrounding urban bustle of Madison Avenue.

Sources

Evidence and links