For years, the exterior of the Morgan Library & Museum was shrouded by construction scaffolding. In the summer of 2022, the scaffolding finally came down and New Yorkers saw the exterior of the Charles McKim-designed library building restored for the first time in over 100 years. The biggest change the project brought was the introduction of a new garden space which gives the public access to the southern section of the Morgan’s campus for the very first time. On September 18th, you can learn more about the Morgan’s restoration and visit the garden on an after-hours tour just for Untapped New York Insiders!
Photo Courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum
On this tour, guests will get a sweeping introduction to the Morgan Campus and its collection. Inside the library, you’ll learn about hidden symbols in the decor, locate a secret staircase, and see highlights of the permanent collection of rare books and manuscripts. You’ll also head outside to the new garden space and learn all about the extensive restoration work. This tour is free for Untapped New York Insiders! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today and gain access to members-only in-person and virtual tours, as well as our archive of over 200 on-demand webinars. Use promo code JOINUS to get your first month free!
The creation of the Morgan’s new greenspace was led by British landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan. During J.P. Morgan’s time, the financier commissioned a garden to fill the space between his home and library building, but those plans were never realized. Longstaffe-Gowan was tasked with finally realizing Morgan’s vision.
The garden’s design is inspired by Morgan’s Eurocentric taste and the aesthetics of the library’s interior spaces. Bluestone paths and paving outside echo patterns found on the floors inside. Even the collections extend outside. Placed prominently throughout the garden there are artifacts on display including a large Roman sarcophagus, a Roman funerary stele, and a pair of Renaissance corbels. An elegant lighting plan by Tillett Lighting Design highlights these items and the newly restored architectural elements of the 1906 building’s Tennessee limestone facade.
Photo Courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum
The quality of the craftsmanship throughout the garden matches the high caliber set by the library building. Accenting the garden’s walkways you’ll notice cobblestone patches. These areas were crafted by Sicilian artisan Orazio Porto using handpicked and hand-laid stones from the Meditteranean Sea and volcanic ash from Mount Etna. Each stone was carefully placed and secured using methods employed by Italians for generations. As you stroll through the garden, you’ll uncover special features like this!
The creation of the garden is the latest in a long line of additions and changes that have come to campus over the past century. On our after-hours tour, you’ll discover how the campus has evolved over the years while staying true to Morgan’s original, ambitious vision of a world-class institution.
