Big Changes Afoot At New-York Historical Society

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – The New-York Historical Society is changing its name to “New York Historical” – losing both its hyphen and “Society” – according to the New York Times.

The new identity aims to shed the “highfalutin’ vibe” of “society” and make the institution more approachable, according to Ken Weine, the museum’s senior vice president and chief content officer.

Weine acknowledged that “New York Historical” doesn’t necessarily make grammatical sense, according to the Times.

Located at 170 Central Park West between West 76th and 77th streets, New York Historical is also adding a new wing – the Tang Wing for American Democracy – in honor of benefactors H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar L. Tang, who gave the museum $20 million.

The Tangs, who are married, are reportedly an archaeologist and historian of ancient art and a financier, respectively.

The Tang Wing, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, is currently under construction and will open in 2026, to align with America’s 250th anniversary. The wing wraps around West 76th Street at Central Park West, and will include new gallery spaces, classrooms, the museum’s first conservation lab, and a rooftop garden overlooking Central Park.

It will also house the American LGBTQ+ Museum, which has reportedly been without a physical home since it was established in 2017.

The project will cost about $175 million in all, $57 million of which was reportedly contributed by the city.