The City Reliquary Museum is a small civic organization and community-run museum located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s dedicated to the history and everyday culture of New York City, showcasing objects and artifacts that would never make it into the city’s major, more “serious” museums.
To me, the museum felt a bit like an old-fashioned antique shop — only one that charges admission.
History
The museum began in 2002, when its founder, Dave Herman, created a display window exhibition in his apartment on Grand Street. Inside were quirky objects connected to New York life—small, strange, nostalgic items that instantly drew the curiosity of passersby.
The idea took off. By 2006, the growing collection moved into a former storefront at 370 Metropolitan Avenue, where the museum officially opened to visitors. Since then, The City Reliquary has evolved into a true community space. It operates as a nonprofit organization, hosting exhibitions, events, and neighborhood initiatives throughout the year.
Collection
The museum’s mission is to show New York not through grand historical narratives but through the everyday objects that carry the city’s spirit. Its displays include architectural fragments from old buildings, miniature Statues of Liberty, vintage signs, and all sorts of urban ephemera.
The collection is constantly expanding with donations from residents, rotating exhibits, and themed projects. One recent highlight was an exhibition devoted entirely to tattoos featuring the Statue of Liberty.
Visitor Information
Website: www.cityreliquary.org
Address: 370 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Admission: $10
