The library's West Room contains a secret passage hidden behind a bookshelf that J. Pierpont Morgan used for quick access to his office.
The ceiling of the East Room is painted in the style of the Vatican's Raphael Rooms, featuring gold leaf and elaborate frescoes.
The collection includes an original manuscript of A Christmas Carol, which Charles Dickens personally annotated for public readings.
The museum holds one of the only three copies of the Gutenberg Bible printed on vellum in existence.
The Morgan preserves a vast archive of music manuscripts, including works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms.
The original library building was constructed specifically to house Morgan's growing collection of rare books, art, and artifacts.
The museum holds a significant collection of cylinder seals from the ancient Near East, dating back to 3500 BCE.
The modern light-filled atrium connects the historic 19th-century brownstone to the original library, physically linking different eras of the institution.
The Morgan Library & Museum originated as the private collection of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. The site centers on the 1906 McKim, Mead & White library building, featuring original Renaissance-style interior design. It holds extensive collections of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, early printed books, and Old Master drawings. The facility integrates the historic brownstone home of J. Pierpont Morgan with a modern atrium designed by architect Renzo Piano. Permanent highlights include three Gutenberg Bibles and the original manuscript of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. The museum functions as a research center and a venue for rotating literary and historical exhibitions. The property includes a specialized gift shop focused on high-end stationery, literary-themed gifts, and rare book reproductions. It is located in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan.
The rotunda, for its architecture and interior design, or the tiered shelves of the East Room library.
Download the museum's digital guide app before arriving to access deeper insights into the rotating exhibitions.
Spend time in the central atrium, which offers a quiet environment and seating away from the denser exhibit rooms.
Check the exhibition calendar online, as the library displays different selections from its massive vault periodically.
Trying to see the entire collection at once; the library rotates its vast holdings frequently, so focus on the current temporary exhibits and the permanent library rooms.
Closed on Mondays.
Large bags must be checked at the cloakroom; flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the historic library rooms.
