Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum occupies Andrew Carnegie’s former mansion at 2 East 91st Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Its exhibitions explore design across eras, from historic objects to contemporary work, and the mansion’s carved woodwork and other architectural details are part of the visit. Interactive displays let you hear short audio clips linked to exhibits, and digital tools in some galleries invite you to collect objects and create designs at touch tables. Allow time for the garden and café as well as the galleries.
A mansion turned design museum
Cooper Hewitt is housed in the former Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Carnegie had the house built in 1902, and the museum moved into it in 1970. The museum began in 1897 as the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration and became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1967.
The house is part of the experience. Carved woodwork, original paneling, fireplaces and other interior details give the galleries a domestic scale. A touch-screen display covers the mansion’s history, offering a useful starting point before you explore the rooms.
Design across the galleries
The museum’s exhibitions focus on historical and contemporary design. The first floor has included an overview of the collection, while upper floors have hosted changing exhibitions. Objects on display can range from flatware and textiles to artworks and design innovations, so the focus shifts with the exhibitions on view.
Interactive elements help connect the objects to the choices behind them. Some displays pair works with short audio clips accessed by scanning a code. Digital tools described in the galleries let visitors collect objects and use touch tables to create designs, including furniture, logos and cityscapes. Check the current exhibition information before visiting, since displays change.
Garden, café and practical details
The Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden provides an outdoor place to sit, and the museum has a café and gift shop. The café has been noted for coffee, tea, paninis, quiche, pastries and gelato. Its outdoor seating makes it a convenient pause between the galleries and the garden.
Free public tours have been available, including tours focused on exhibitions. The program can vary, so check what is scheduled for your visit. The museum is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, seating and restrooms.
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Where is Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum?
It is at 2 East 91st Street on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
How long do you need at Cooper Hewitt?
Plan on about 1 to 2 hours for the compact galleries and mansion. Add time if you want to pause in the garden or café.
Does Cooper Hewitt have interactive exhibits?
Some galleries use audio clips accessed by scanning codes, and digital tools have let visitors collect objects and create designs at touch tables.
Is Cooper Hewitt wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, restrooms and parking.
