The new york historical society will centralize storage and improve care and management of the museum's landmark american paintings collection

The New York Historical Society received a $437,881 project grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Museums for America program to centralize storage and improve care and management of its landmark American paintings collection. Under the award, the Society will install 23 large-scale painting screens to house over 400 paintings, including masterpieces from its existing collection and 100 additional works from the Robert L. Stuart Collection acquired to document and interpret New York City's history. The improved storage facility, managed by the Society's staff, will enable the collection to be moved from spaces with inferior conditions. The project will also include condition assessments, photography, and enhanced online presentation of the collection's data to improve its management and public access. The award period is from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.

The museum seeks to install 23 large-scale painting screens that will house more than 400 paintings – including masterpieces from the collection and a new acquisition of more than 100 works from the robert l. Stuart collection that document and interpret new york city's history. Stuart (1806-1882) was a sugar merchant and founder of the american museum of natural history. This expanded storage capability will enable the museum to move works from spaces with inferior conditions to a new modern facility that is managed by the museum's staff. The project will include condition assessment and photography of the works, thereby improving collections data and enhancing the online presentation of the collection.