This is a little known museum that is well worth the trip and which bills itself as NYC's first museum. You can combine a visit here with a trip to Central Park, as it is right across from the park, or even going to a play as it is relatively close tothe theater district. We did the later as we went to the museum before seeing a matinee. I grew up in NYC and never heard of this museum before my wife, who also grew up in NYC, mentioned that she wanted to see the “I’ll Have What She’s Having”: The Jewish Deli experience exhibit. So when we visited our son who lives in the NYC metro area we took the opportunity to go here and were not disappointed. Both my wife and I grew up eating Jewish deli, although she is more of a fan of this cuisine than I am. For her it was very nostalgic and she enjoyed it immensely as it bought back pleasant memories. The exhibit is well done and goes into the history of the Jewish deli which has largely disappeared, but are making somewhat of a comeback. For our adult son, who was somewhat less experienced eating deli, it was a learning experience. Both my wife and I had previously seen a film on Jewish delis, so the exhibit did not provide new information for me. There are also other exhibits at the museum and I liked the toys and trains exhibit.

On a recent Saturday, we enjoyed an hour or a bit more in this museum. The exhibit about the African American potter, though just one room, was well done. There was quite a bit of pottery on display, but the exhibit explored his life in terms of being a Black man in a white society, bringing in larger social issues of his day. The Tiffany exhibit was unexpected and enjoyable too- the lamps are displayed quite well with a mezzanine to help view the tops of them. The large room with the paintings about New York is worth a visit, especially the huge Picasso. Stop in if you are in the area!

You get to experience years of history here with the museum's exhibits, collections and films. We saw the "I'll have what she's having...the Jewish Deli" exhibit and enjoyed the experience. It showed how Jewish delicatessens became a cornerstone of American food.

It's a beautiful building with a lot inside. We came for the Leyendecker expo which was much hyped, oversold, and more than a bit over-analyzed. Good art, but worth about 30 minutes. Lots of other things here, lots of treasures and we only touched the surface. Some odd things like a replica of the Oval Office. Why in New York?? And in too many areas the display was lacking in depth. Still a wonderful resource.

My husband and I visited the NY Historical society today. We highly recommend it. It's easily accessed by subway, and right across from Central Park. We spent close to 3 hours and there is so much to see we couldn't cover it all. Must sees, in no particular order, are the gallery of Tiffany lamps, Kay Walking Stick /Hudson River School, Acts of Faith and the American West, Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of André Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers and Women's Work. There's lots more, but we couldn't stay longer and are sure we'll be back.