Major New York history group announces massive expansion just in time for America’s 250th birthday
The New York Historical announced that its long‑delayed expansion, titled the Tang Wing for American Democracy, will officially open this summer, just in time for the United States’ 250th‑anniversary celebrations.
Designed to showcase the story of the nation, the new wing will feature a sprawling art gallery, a cutting‑edge conservation lab, a rooftop garden, ample classroom space, and the country’s first American LGBTQ+ Museum.
Archaeologist Agnes Hsu‑Tang, chair of the museum’s board of trustees, said the addition “shall rise as a self‑evident embodiment of the American revolution from our humble beginnings as the world’s first modern democracy to the world’s longest continuous democracy,” adding that her family’s generous contribution made the project possible.
Although the building is still under construction, the skeletal structure of the large rooms and educational spaces is taking shape. The museum has been adding to its footprint since last year, when it dropped “Society” from its name.
The expansion, which cost roughly $360 million, was enabled in large part by a $125 million donation from Hsu‑Tang and her husband, Oscar Tang. Their philanthropy also supports the Tang Center for Early China at Columbia University, the Hsu‑Tang Library for Classical Chinese Literature at Oxford University, and a number of other cultural initiatives.
Once finished, the Tang Wing will host a range of exhibitions dedicated to America’s 250th anniversary. The Klingenstein Family Gallery will open with a “Democracy Matters” showcase that highlights pivotal artifacts illustrating how the idea of democracy has evolved over the centuries, and a “Revolutionary Women” series will examine the often‑overlooked contributions of women to the country’s foundational moments.
In addition to the cultural offerings, the new classrooms will allow the museum to dramatically increase student participation: the four‑day intensive program that currently serves about 3,000 students annually will grow to accommodate 30,000.
Dr. Louise Mirrer, a museum director, praised the opening, explaining that the wing “embodies The Historical’s mission of illuminating the complexities of the American story and inspiring engagement with the ideas and principles that define it.” She added that the new space will serve as a beacon for civic education and a venue for reflecting on the values that continue to shape American democracy as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.
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