Museum of American Financial History

Museum of American Finance
Opens on Wall Street

The Museum of American Finance, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, reopened to the public in its new home at 48 Wall Street on Friday, January 11, 2008. Located in the historic former headquarters of the Bank of New York, the Museum occupies 30,000 square feet of space and features a majestic banking hall, state-of-the-art financial education center, auditorium, library and research facility.

Formerly located in modest space at 26 Broadway, the Museum has a 20-year lease on its much larger home on Wall Street. It has been renovating and restoring the landmarked space, as well as creating engaging and interactive permanent exhibitions on the subjects of the financial markets, money, banking, entrepreneurship and Alexander Hamilton. The Museum’s new space also includes galleries for changing exhibits and a theater.

According to President/CEO Lee Kjelleren, the move to 48 Wall Street will enable the Museum to expand its reach significantly, giving New Yorkers, as well as national and international visitors, an increased awareness to make more effective financial decisions.

“As the only public and independent museum of finance, we are proud to be a guardian of America’s collective financial memory, while also serving as an interpreter of current financial issues,” Kjelleren said. “We look forward to taking our place among the major destinations on Wall Street.”

Located one block east of the New York Stock Exchange, the Museum will be the Exchange’s de facto visitors center.

“NYSE Euronext is proud of our partnership with the Museum of American Finance,” said Duncan L. Niederauer, CEO, NYSE Euronext. “The Museum is well suited to reside in New York and on Wall Street, and gives the public an opportunity to learn more about our capital markets and NYSE Euronext. This is especially important given the ever changing and rapidly growing global financial marketplace.”

Dr. Richard Sylla and Dr. Robert Wright, both financial historians, authors and professors at the NYU Stern School of Business, are the primary curators of the permanent exhibits. Designed by the renowned New York exhibition design firm C&G Partners, the exhibits were built and installed by the award-winning fabrication firm Maltbie.

Open Tues-Sat, 10 am - 4 pm
Admission: Adults $8; Students/seniors $5: Museum members and kids 6 and under FREE

If you are a member of the press and would like additional information or a tour of the Museum’s new home, please contact Communications Director Kristin Aguilera at 212-908-4695 or kaguilera@financialhistory.org. If you are interested in booking a school or group visit in the new space, please contact the education department at bwhitlock@financialhistory.org.

Museum to Change Name, Move to Wall Street

The Museum is currently preparing its new home in the former headquarters of the Bank of New York at 48 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. The Museum will occupy 30,000 sq. ft. of space in the building, including the majestic grand mezzanine banking hall, which will be utilized as exhibition space, and two additional floors featuring a state-of-the-art financial education center, auditorium, and research facility. The Museum plans to open on Wall Street in January 2008 (with administrative offices moving in the fall of 2007). In conjunction with the announcement of the move, was an official name change from the “Museum of American Financial History” to the “Museum of American Finance.”

January 7, 2008: View Inaugural Gala Honorsing John C. Whitehead

January 9, 2008: Press Conference and Exhibition Preview

January 10, 2008: Members Reception

January 11, 2008: Museum Re-opens to Public

View Additional Photographs and Images of 48 Wall Street.

View Images of Renovation Work at 48 Wall Street

View Press Release

Navigation:

– Museum News

– Museum News Archive

– Recovery from 9-11

Museum of American Finance Opens on Wall Street

Museum of American Finance
Opens on Wall Street