The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City is a Must See for Library Lovers

I had a professor in college who loved teaching the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era. It became a joke whenever he taught those subjects because he loved that time period so much. I think about him every time I visit a site that I know he would have loved. The Morgan Library and Museum would have occupied him for hours.

The Gilded Age was between the 1870s and 1890s. The Progressive Era was between 1890s and 1920s. One of the greatest examples of both eras is the Morgan family. A visit to the Morgan Library in Midtown highlights the wealth of the upper elite in New York City.

The Morgan Library was built between 1902 and 1906. John Pierpont Morgan (J.P.) was the patriarch of the Morgan family and received his fortune from banking, reorganizing the railroad, investing in failed companies, and stocks. He was so wealthy, that he bailed the United States out of bankruptcy during the Panic of 1893. Can you imagine the wealthy doing that today? Being one of the richest men in New York City, he wanted to have a luxurious library across the street from his home, where he would also house his treasures. He hired Charles Follen McKim to design the library, and the library was completed in 1906.

J.P. Morgan died in 1837 and his estate was given to his son, J.P. Morgan, Jr. 11 years after the death of his father, J.P., Jr. opened the library up to the public. He saw the immense wealth and artifacts found within the library were too precious and needed to be witnessed. The library continues to house precious books and art, many of which are on a rotating display or through agreements with other museums from around the world.

Often when we think about museums in New York City, we forget about the Morgan Library and Museum. Not sure why that is, but the midtown museum should be on everyone’s list of things to do in New York City. And if you’re a library lover, then you definitely need to visit.

I love old libraries. If there was a musky book scent candle, I would have one in each room. The Morgan Library is free of musty book scent, but if you spend enough time in each room, the old books provide an emotional scent. I found myself in each room, sitting down and soaking in the environment. I imagined what it must have been like to kick back and read a book while a fire roared in the fireplace. I also gazed longly at J.P. Morgan’s desk and dreamed of writing while being surrounded by so much literary inspiration.

The museum offers visitors exhibitions to peruse, some of which are permanent and others are in agreement with other museums. While I was visiting The Morgan, there were exhibits on Jane Austen and photos by Juliet Margaret Cameron (one of my favorite photographers). Other exhibits highlighted acquisitions made by the museum, Medevil Art, and artist Sol LeWitt.

I’m putting a Jane Austen inspired trip to England for her 250th birthday this year with my daughter, so the exhibition’s timing is perfect. My favorite piece was a ring that she wore. I was in awe of the turquois ring, thinking about the brilliant stories Austen wrote while wearing it. I was equally amazed by seeing notes written by her that accompanied her stories, recipes, and even a budget.

I have long loved looking at Juliet Margaret Cameron’s photos. I love when a photograph tells a story all on its own. Many of her photos were inspired by a moment from the Bible or from other books. Her black and white photos were groundbreaking during her time. A lens is on display that I found interesting, wondering how many times she adjusted the lens to capture a perfect photo.