The New York Historical — Attraction in New York

I went to the New-York Historical Society on Saturday, April 7. I'd purchased a ticket ($48) online to hear a talk by historians Annette Gordon-Reed and Carol Berkin, part of the NYHS's Bernard and Irene Schwartz Distinguished Speakers Series. I presented the confirmation I'd printed at home at the admission desk and was told that I could go right in.

Immediately after the talk, I went to the Society’s gift shop and purchased Ms. Gordon-Reed’s new book ($19.54) so that I could have it signed.

Signed book in hand, I visited the upstairs galleries. I returned to the main floor and tried to visit the Vietnam War exhibition where I was stopped by a museum guard and told that I needed to have an admission sticker in order to visit the galleries. I told her that I’d purchased a lecture ticket. She told me that I still needed to purchase a general admission ticket.

The ticket seller at the main desk confirmed that I needed to cough up another $21 to visit the galleries. When I balked, and explained that I’d bought a ticket for the lecture she told me that I could come back on Friday between 6:00pm and 8:00pm and pay whatever I’d like to pay. I live 200 miles from New York City; returning on a Friday between 6:00pm and 8:00pm isn't an option.

I looked over the NYHS's website and the Winter/Spring booklet promoting programs and exhibitions. If the society mentions that a lecture ticket doesn’t provide admission to the exhibits, it's not in a prominent spot. They say that ticket sales are final, that the program is subject to change, and that late comers may not be seated. They don't say that admission to their events does not provide admission to the galleries. When I presented my ticket at the admission desk, no one warned me that I'd still need a ticket to see the Society's exhibits.

I shared this experience with an old friend who reminded me that the NYHS charged her $50 a day to use its collection while doing her masters thesis research in the late 1970s.

Times may have changed in the last 40 years, but when it comes to extracting money from the public, the society hasn't changed very...

It was a nice day in NYC, I have visited already the most "popular" museum but I heard about the NYHS Museum and it was just across the street of the AM, so I decided to check it out. As I usually like I started from top to bottom. I find a unique painting at the end of the exhibition where the head of Lincoln was. The painting showed me the important of the Irish people and the draft riots at that time in NYC as City of Immigrants. I continued through the museum and I find myself in the hall the there is a wall with all the US presidents until today, and I found myself seating in The Oval Office pretending I was taking a phone call from someone important. Following the halls, there are two painting that really took my attention, The bulls and bear in the Market from 1879 and The bear Dance from 1870 of William Holbrook Beard. These paintings as it is described it shows some animal engaged in human activity as it is the bestial energies of the financial world...I have been visiting many museums but never seen anything like that. Another great surprise was the book collection of watercolors into prints showing The Bird of America from the time 1820s approx. it is an extraordinary collection. Keep going...I find myself in the Louis C. Tiffany and Clara Driscol's room in front of me the majestic Norman S. Benzaquen Grand Staircase. what a two story room. Speechless of the amazing artistic work they did at the time and amazing presentation from the museum. Glass and Crystal all around... the blue color of the room... makes an unique experience in all levels. I went down to the main floor and I visited the temporary exhibition. Check it out what they have at the time you are there. Don't forget to go the basement to see the 1945 Barbie doll and many other old historical item. I did a great time at the NYHS, definitely I am glad I decided to get in. I wish they could have Tiffany's lamp postcards sets for sale at the Museum store to give as present to a very important person in my life. I hope to visit the Museum once again soon. btw as I like to do I was the first people to...

IF YOU ARE PLANNING AN EVENT AT THIS VENUE, STAY AWAY. I rarely, if ever, write a review , but I think folks should know about the ethics of the people in charge. To be brief, we had booked the museum as a venue for my daughter's wedding to be held on October 10th, 2020. We had given a deposit of $10,000 to secure the location. As we all know, COVID 19 had other plans. This was a time when thousands of people were dying from the the disease and New York City was virtually shut down. Unlike every other venue in the city, they refused to refund our deposit. For the longest time, calls weren't even returned. I understood that there was probably nobody in the office during those weeks and months, but the recording stated that all calls would be forwarded and returned. I eventually did speak with several individuals in charge, including the director, and was reassured that they would look into this and get back to me. Needless to say, that never happened. I called several more times and got the same stonewalling answers. To date, they probably think I forgot about this as it has been almost 3 years. I have already written the money off as a loss, but this should give people an idea of who they are dealing with when they are thinking of hosting an event at...