The Morgan Library & Museum
New York City · United States · Founded 1924
Quick answer
The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City, United States — built between 1902 and 1906 by McKim, Mead & White as J. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Friday until 7:00 PM); closed Mondays. Admission: $25 standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
The Morgan Library & Museum at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Friday until 7:00 PM) |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | $25 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Friday 5–7 PM for free admission. |
| Getting there | Metro: 6 to 33rd Street or 4/5/6 to Grand Central — 10-minute walk |
| Address | 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA |
| Official website | themorgan.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is the Morgan Library & Museum known for?
Built between 1902 and 1906 by McKim, Mead & White as J. P. Morgan's private library, the Morgan opened to the public in 1924. Renzo Piano's 2006 expansion added new galleries and a glass atrium.
The collection is among the world's greatest holdings of manuscripts, rare books, and Old Master drawings — from Gutenberg Bibles to Mozart manuscripts and Michelangelo studies.
Morgan's study and the East Room library — lined with triple tiers of books beneath frescoed ceilings — are among the most beautiful interior spaces in New York.
Friday evenings from 5 to 7 PM offer free admission, making it one of Manhattan's best cultural bargains.
Best for: History Enthusiasts · Art Lovers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at the Morgan Library & Museum?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at The Morgan Library & Museum without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Gutenberg Bible
📍 East Room, Morgan's Library
One of fewer than fifty surviving copies of the first major book printed with movable type in the West — the foundation of the Morgan's rare book collection.
- 2
Charles Dickens's Manuscript of A Christmas Carol
📍 Exhibition gallery
Dickens's own handwritten manuscript of his most beloved story — with his edits and corrections visible on the page.
- 3
Study for Adam
📍 Drawings gallery
A red chalk drawing for the Sistine Chapel ceiling — one of the Morgan's finest Old Master drawings, showing Michelangelo's working process.
- 4
Mozart's Haffner Symphony Manuscript
📍 Music manuscript gallery
Mozart's autograph score of the Haffner Symphony — the composer's handwriting flowing across the page in the Morgan's exceptional music manuscript collection.
What are the must-see works at the Morgan Library & Museum?
4 highlights that define the collection: Gutenberg Bible, Charles Dickens's Manuscript of A Christmas Carol, Study for Adam and more.
Gutenberg Bible
Johannes Gutenberg · c. 1455
📍 East Room, Morgan's Library
One of fewer than fifty surviving copies of the first major book printed with movable type in the West — the foundation of the Morgan's rare book collection.
Charles Dickens's Manuscript of A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens · 1843
📍 Exhibition gallery
Dickens's own handwritten manuscript of his most beloved story — with his edits and corrections visible on the page. Usually on display during the holiday season.
Study for Adam
Michelangelo · c. 1510
📍 Drawings gallery
A red chalk drawing for the Sistine Chapel ceiling — one of the Morgan's finest Old Master drawings, showing Michelangelo's working process.
Mozart's Haffner Symphony Manuscript
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · 1782
📍 Music manuscript gallery
Mozart's autograph score of the Haffner Symphony — the composer's handwriting flowing across the page in the Morgan's exceptional music manuscript collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Gutenberg Bible and rare printed books
- • Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts
- • Old Master drawings — Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo
- • Literary manuscripts — Dickens, Austen, Poe
- • Music manuscripts — Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin
- • Morgan's historic library and study
Tips for visiting the Morgan Library & Museum
- 1.
Best time to visit
Friday 5–7 PM for free admission. Weekday afternoons otherwise.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Quiet — one of Manhattan's least crowded major museums. East Room can be busy on free Fridays.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
$25 standard; free Friday evenings 5–7 PM. Book at themorgan.org.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Morgan Dining Room (closed evenings); restaurants on Madison and Park Avenues.
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic library accessible via lift. Piano atrium and new galleries fully accessible.
How do you get to the Morgan Library & Museum?
- metro 6 to 33rd Street or 4/5/6 to Grand Central — 10-minute walk
- bus M1, M2, M3, M4 on Madison Avenue
- walk 10 minutes from Grand Central Terminal on Madison Avenue
Address: 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
The Morgan Library & Museum: frequently asked questions
Are the historic rooms open?
Yes, the East Room library and Morgan's study are part of every visit.
Is there free admission?
Yes, on Friday evenings from 5 to 7 PM.
How long should I spend at The Morgan Library & Museum?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of the Morgan Library & Museum. Our 4-stop route — Gutenberg Bible, Charles Dickens's Manuscript of A Christmas Carol, Study for Adam and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is The Morgan Library & Museum best known for?
Built between 1902 and 1906 by McKim, Mead & White as J. P. Morgan's private library, the Morgan opened to the public in 1924. Renzo Piano's 2006 expansion added new galleries and a glass atrium. Key highlights include Gutenberg Bibles, Mr. Morgan's Library and Study, Original literary manuscripts.
How do I get tickets for The Morgan Library & Museum?
Admission: $25 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.themorgan.org/
Is this a library or a museum?
Both — it began as Morgan's private library and now functions as a museum with rotating exhibitions of manuscripts, drawings, and rare books from the permanent collection.
Is the Morgan Library & Museum open on Mondays?
No — the Morgan Library & Museum is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Friday until 7:00 PM). Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are the Morgan Library & Museum's opening hours?
The Morgan Library & Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Friday until 7:00 PM), and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
