PHOTOS: HISTORICAL SOCIETY OPENS 4TH FLOOR WITH CENTER FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY
Posted on April 30, 2017 at 9:34 pm by West Sider
This dramatically-lit glass stairway, designed by Czech-born architect Eva Jiřičná, provides visitors access to the upper level of the two-tiered Tiffany gallery on the fourth floor of the New-York Historical Society.
By Nancy Novick
The New-York Historical Society on 77th Street and Central Park West has re-opened the museum’s fourth floor exhibit space, which includes a section devoted to women’s history.
The 4th floor now houses:
- The Center for Women’s History–which includes the Joyce B. Cowin gallery (Saving Washington featured previously on WSR is the inaugural exhibit)
- The Tiffany Gallery, where 100 illuminated glass lamps from the museum’s collection are on display. While traditionally associated with Louis C. Tiffany, glass designer Clara Driscoll and a staff of “Tiffany Girls” were responsible for the design and creation of many of these one-of-a-kind pieces, and
- Highlights of the NY Historical Society’s permanent collection that were not on view during the 4th floor renovation.
A new gathering space that features a metal sculptural wall and renovated skylight will also be available to visitors and for small seminars and activities.
The attached photos show:
- One of the interactive touchscreen panels that illustrates a network of women historians–both those with formal academic training and those who have documented history on other forums, as well as women and groups of women who made history.
- A case displaying allegorical representations of America
- An example of one of the beautiful Tiffany wisteria lamps designed by the “Tiffany Girls” who worked with glass designer Clara Driscoll.
- Noah’s Ark – part of the museum’s permanent collection of historic children’s toys.
Unbelievable exhibit of Tiffany lamps, women’s exhibit and yes, exhibit of history of tattoos. NYHS congratulations!
For anyone who loves Tiffany lamps, I also highly recommend the Neustadt Collection at the
Queens Museum in Flushing Meadow Park. (And at that museum you can also see the spectacular Panorama of the City of New York.)
The NYHS’ Saving Washington” was a wonderful exhibit focusing on Dolly Madison and was the first exhibit I’ve seen that actually makes reference to Coverture, which has been such a dominating force against women throughout American history. Hopefully the Historical Society’s new section on Women’s History, such an important topic, will also serve to increase support for the valiant efforts being made to construct a Women’s History Museum on the Mall in DC.