The Skyscraper Museum in New York City

If you still find yourself looking up at every skyscraper while walking through the city, this museum will leave you with the best impressions. And where else but in New York — the ultimate concrete jungle — should you visit The Skyscraper Museum? Here you’ll discover how the world’s first “vertical city” began, and how some of the most famous tall buildings were constructed — not just in New York, but across the globe.

The Museum’s Origins

The Skyscraper Museum was founded in 1996 in New York City, widely regarded as the birthplace of high-rise construction. Its founder, architectural historian Carol Willis, set out to create an institution dedicated to studying and preserving the history of New York as a pioneer in skyscraper design and engineering.

At first, the museum had no permanent home and hosted temporary exhibitions in different locations across the city. Only in 2004 did it open its doors in Battery Park City — chosen for its proximity to the World Trade Center and its symbolic connection to the ever-evolving skyline of New York.

Collection and Exhibitions

The museum offers a unique platform for exploring skyscrapers not only as architectural and engineering marvels but also as reflections of economic, cultural, and social change. Exhibitions include historical materials on high-rise construction, models of iconic buildings, archival drawings, and interactive installations.

Permanent Exhibition: The History of Skyscrapers

Visitors can explore a panoramic timeline of the world’s tallest structures — from the Egyptian pyramids to today’s modern skyscrapers. Highlights include photographs and models of New York and Chicago’s first high-rises from the late 19th century, materials dedicated to the Twin Towers, and models of record-breaking skyscrapers such as Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, and the Shanghai World Financial Center.