A lively group of Black men and women dance the Jitterburg and smile joyfully at nightclub in Harlem, 1939. A woman in a striped dress twirls with a partner at center, while others clap, cheer, and dance nearby. A jazz band is visible in the background, with a pianist and a saxophonist playing on stage. The atmosphere is energetic and celebratory.
Two women in separate portraits: the woman on the left is seated at a desk with U.S. flags in the background, wearing a green blazer and light blouse; the woman on the right is standing outdoors with a cityscape backdrop, wearing a royal blue dress and smiling
Man in blue jacket smiling with a woman in blue sweater smiling
cover of book with four people sitting on the floor and black lettering on a red background above them

Educator Evening: From the Dance Floor to the Classroom: Movement as a Pedagogical Tool

Explore the power of using dance and movement as a teaching tool in our newest exhibition Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor!

Future of the City: Conversation with Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Join us for a conversation with the Chancellor of Public Schools.

Too Good to Get Married: The Life and Photographs of Miss Alice Austen

Learn about the extraordinary life of feminist icon Alice Austen.

Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock

Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest American rock bands.

1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St., HOURS: Mon-Fri 10-5 | Sat-Sun 10-6
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Events

An 1841 historical painting of a tall ship sailing at sunrise with clouds in the sky in New York Harbor. A military fort made of sandstone is painted on the left of the ship, with Manhattan and Brooklyn pictured in the distance.
For Families Saturday, May 24, 11:00am

NYC Discovery Lab – Port City

Join us for drop-in activities for children ages 5-12 as we explore New York City’s beginnings as a port city. Craft your own mini lighthouse to take home and explore our galleries with a scavenger hunt. 11am-4pm, every Saturday and Sunday in May.

A black-and-white photograph from 1921 showing multiple children playing on a playground with swings, a slide, and a seesaw. Behind the playground is a street and apartment buildings.
For Families Saturday, June 7, 11:00am

NYC Discovery Lab – Play in the City

Join us for drop-in activities for children ages 5-12 as we explore the toys and games New Yorkers have played throughout the city’s history! Play with historical toys and create your own toy to take home. 11am-4pm, every Saturday and Sunday in June.

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Exhibitions

A Woman in glasses speaks at a conference table with two men next to her and microphones in front of them.
Through July 20, 2025

Changing the Face of Democracy

Explore the life and legacy of barrier-breaking Brooklyn-born politician Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to US Congress.
Bob Dylan, Karen Dalton, and Fred Neil performing at Café Wha?, Greenwich Village, February 8, 1961. Photo by Fred W. McDarrah. © Fred W. McDarrah/MUUS Collection.
Ongoing

Songs of New York

Playful, kinetic, and full of surprises, Songs of New York is an immersive interactive experience that introduces visitors to a full range of music from and about New York City.
Ongoing

New York at Its Core

What made New York New York? Follow the story of the city’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World,” and consider its future in our changing world.
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