The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York is dedicated to the history and design of decorative arts. It offers exhibitions, collections, and educational programs covering a wide range of design-related topics. The museum also holds one of the largest wallpaper collections in the world, featuring both historical examples and contemporary designs.
Founding History
The museum was founded in 1897 by sisters Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt, granddaughters of inventor Peter Cooper and daughters of a New York City mayor. Educated, energetic, and passionate about art, they traveled across Europe every year, collecting unique decorative arts pieces — including tableware, textiles, furniture, and lighting.
Inspired by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Louvre, they decided to create something similar in New York. Initially, the museum was located in the Cooper Union building, an institution founded by their grandfather. In 1976, it moved into the Carnegie Mansion and became the first Smithsonian museum outside Washington, D.C.
Located in the historic Andrew Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan, the museum blends the atmosphere of the early 20th century with cutting-edge 21st-century technology.
Since 2000, the museum has hosted the National Design Awards, established through a White House initiative. This prestigious award is given in ten categories and is accompanied by educational programs held nationwide.
Collection and Exhibitions
The museum’s permanent collection contains over 215,000 design objects, fully digitized and available online. Large-scale temporary exhibitions are held regularly, alongside rotating displays from the collection — including household items, decorative arts, graphics, wallpaper, textiles, and more.
Visitors can explore four floors of galleries dedicated to various areas of design — from industrial and graphic design to textiles and digital innovation. Interactive technologies allow guests not just to view objects, but to engage with them and try their hand at being a designer by creating their own projects right in the museum.
The museum’s programs include lectures, discussions, and hands-on workshops with leading figures in the design world. They are aimed at audiences of all ages and help foster a deeper understanding of design’s role in everyday life.
Fun Facts
In 1963, the Cooper Hewitt Museum nearly closed when Cooper Union could no longer fund it. Outraged New Yorkers launched a large-scale campaign to save it. The committee was led by legendary collector Henry Francis du Pont, a member of the famous family behind Winterthur and Longwood Gardens.
Thanks to him, the museum became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1967 — making it the first Smithsonian museum located outside Washington, D.C.
Visitor’s Information
Website: www.cooperhewitt.org
📍 Address: 2 E 91st St, New York, NY 10128
Admission: $15.00
