It’s the dead of winter, and I’m reminded once again of all the indoor treasures New York has to offer. For my taste, museums rank near the top. They are full of amazing displays and fascinating artifacts, as well as great places to eat, meet, or just sit and take it all in. Plus, as a recently published study shows, by going to the museum at least once a year you give yourself a better chance of living longer.
This past week, I had the chance to have a wonderful private tour of the Morgan Library & Museum, located on Madison Avenue at East 36th Street. The former home and library of financier J. P. Morgan, it features stunning interiors and its special exhibitions and permanent collection showcase books, drawings, manuscripts, paintings, photographs, prints, and more from around the world, dating back to the fifth century BCE.
During the tour, I stood with museum director Colin B. Bailey and Philip Palmer, curator and head of the Department of Literary and Historical Manuscripts, before a beautifully laid out selection of books and manuscripts. We all leaned in to examine the first item.