For more than 125 years, The New York Public Library has collected, preserved, and made accessible the world’s knowledge. Now, for the first time, the Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures showcases some of the most extraordinary items from the 56 million in our collections, inspiring and empowering visitors to discover, learn, and create new knowledge—today and in the years ahead.

The treasures in this exhibition tell the stories of people, places, and moments spanning 4,000 years—from the emergence of the written word through to the present day. Visitors will encounter manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, recordings, and more that bring vividly to life voices of the past. While the Library’s collections have always been available for public use, the Polonsky Exhibition builds on our 125-year legacy by offering a unique opportunity to make new connections and expand our understanding of the world and each other—so that together we can shape a better future.

Please note that the last entry to the Polonsky Exhibition is 30 minutes before the close of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. See building hours and plan your visit. Please be prepared for a short wait between lining up and entering the exhibition, especially during busy times such as weekend afternoons.

Free 45-minute tours of the Polonsky Exhibition take place Monday to Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 PM.

New! James Baldwin: Mountain to Fire

Explore the extraordinary rise of the writer and activist James Baldwin through some of the Library’s holdings at the Polonsky Exhibition.

Baldwin was a constant NYPL patron in his youth, and today his vast archive of personal papers is kept by the Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Discover never-before-exhibited literary manuscripts—including draft pages from Go Tell It on the Mountain, Giovanni’s Room, and The Fire Next Time—and other remarkable items from our research collections, presented in honor of Baldwin’s 100th birthday year.

Plus, listen to the free James Baldwin: Mountain to Fire audio guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app, or online!

Note: Bloomberg Connects is a third-party mobile app not owned or operated by NYPL. See privacy notice below.

Patrons looking at images, books, and writings by James Baldwin in a display case.

Explore the Exhibition Online

Dig deeper into the themes explored in the Polonsky Exhibition and discover more information about the wide array of objects on display, including the remarkable collections from which they are drawn.

Learn More

Exhibition Accessibility: Accommodations & Resources

The New York Public Library strives to ensure that everyone has access to the full range of information, services, and programs offered at the Library. 

  • Large print and braille label text as well as tactile objects related to the exhibition are available at the Visitor Center.
  • ASL-interpreted, verbal description, and touch tours can be arranged with two weeks’ advance notice. Contact accessibility@nypl.org.
  • Sensory-friendly family days (soft rest areas, limited background noise, activities with educators) are available every three months.
  • Benches are located throughout the exhibition for visitors to use.
  • We welcome all wheelchairs and mobility devices.

To request an accommodation, please email visitorexperience@nypl.org.

To learn more about the accessibility of NYPL websites and mobile applications, see our Web & Mobile Accessibility Policy.

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Special Thanks:

  • Victor Chu, Director—Sky Tech One
  • Justin Namon, FPV Drone Pilot
  • Rob McEnaney, FPV Drone Technician

  • Audio Guide in English

    Discover highlights of the Polonsky Exhibition with the free Treasures Audio Guide, accessible onsite or from anywhere on mobile devices. Don’t forget your headphones! The audio guide in English is hosted by actress, playwright, and Library Lion Anna Deavere Smith.

    All audio guides can be accessed via your mobile device. Visitors on site are welcome to connect to our free Wi-Fi service (“AudioGuide_Treasures”) in Gottesman Hall.

    Listen Now

  • Audio Guide in English with Verbal Descriptions

    The Treasures Audio Guide with verbal descriptions contains full image descriptions of every item on the audio tour, followed by interpretive commentary hosted by actress, playwright, and Library Lion Anna Deavere Smith. A complete transcription of every stop is also included in the guide.

    Listen Now

  • Audioguía en español

    Descubra los aspectos más destacados de la exhibición Polonsky con la audioguía gratuita Treasures, a la que podrá acceder in situ o desde cualquier lugar a través de dispositivos móviles. ¡No olvide sus auriculares! La audioguía en español es presentada por el novelista, periodista y productor de radio Daniel Alarcón.

    Escuche ahora

  • 普通话音频导览

    在展览现场或随时随地在移动设备上利用免费的宝藏展音频导览探索展览的亮点。不要忘记佩戴耳机！普通话音频导览由电影制作人赵婷担任讲解员。

    立即收听

Learning with the Library's Treasures

Plan a class field trip to the Polonsky Exhibition for a free guided tour of some of our greatest treasures. Students will be introduced to the history of The New York Public Library and some of the most extraordinary items from the millions in our vast collections.

Discover all the programs that NYPL’s Center for Educators and Schools offers through the Polonsky Exhibition, including free class field trips, special access to items in our collections, and much more.

Learn More

Exhibition Tours

Free 45-minute tours of the Polonsky Exhibition will take place Monday to Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 PM. Please note:

  • Tours are limited to the first 15 people who sign up.
  • Registration will be available at the exhibition entrance, where the tour convenes, 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
The Polonsky Exhibition in a large room with columns, and display cases featuring framed art work, books, and documents that people are leaning over to examine.

In the Spotlight: Exhibition Highlights

A black and white photograph of a Black man and woman. The man is in the foreground holding a saxophone in his lap with his right fist resting in front of his face. The woman is in the background in less clear focus
Portrait of John and Alice Coltrane by Chuck Stewart, 1966.
Close-up of the top half of a creased, handwritten page that reads: A Declaration of the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress assembled.
Thomas Jefferson, fair copy of the Declaration of Independence, 1776, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.
A painted portrait of a white woman who sits slightly at an angle while looking over her right shoulder
Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797), John Keenan (fl. 1791–1815), 1804, after ca. 1797 portrait by John Opie (1761–1807)
Photo of two bronze busts positioned on columns: one of a Black man, the other of a Black woman, both gazing off into the distance
Vénus africaine and Saïd Abdullah by Charles Henri Joseph Cordier, 1852
A sepia photograph of a young woman dressed in Indian garb. Her left hand rests on her hip and her right elbow rests atop a plush chair with a high back
Darogha Ubbas Alli, Juddan Dancing Girl from Beauties of Lucknow, Calcutta, 1874
An old yellowed piece of paper with light script running across the page
Bill of Rights, United States Congress (New York), 1789
Two cylinders sitting within a brown background. The cylinder on the left is solid brown, and the one on the right is slightly lighter and larger with the image of a man's face on it
Lionel Mapleson (1865–1937), Early opera recordings on wax cylinders, 1900–1904
Colorful poster of a woman in theatrical garb, with a cape and a sword in a hilt, set against an ornate background
Alphonse Mucha (1860–1939), Poster for the Thêàtre de Sarah Bernhardt production of Tragique Histoire d’Hamlet, Prince de Danemark - Sarah Bernhardt, 1899
Close-up of a large book opened to a page featuring two columns of decorated text and gothic type, with hand-written notes in the margins.
Johannes Gutenberg, Biblia Latina, 1455, Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library.
Detail of frontispiece of Shakespeare's portfolio showing an engraving of the author in 17th-century dress. Above it reads: Published according to the true original copies.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. Published according to the True Originall Copies
London: Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount, 1623
Original stuffed animals Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Kanga, Piglet, and Tigger.
Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends, ca. 1921

    • Explore Treasures with Library Experts

    Listen to expert Library staff discuss some of the extraordinary items in the Polonsky Exhibition and the collections that house them in our new video series.

    Learn More

    • Shop the Library

      Celebrate the Library’s vast collections with a variety of books and gifts inspired by the Polonsky Exhibition. All purchases help support the important work of the Library. 

      Shop Now

    • Bring the Exhibition Home

      This beautifully illustrated companion volume showcases the breadth and depth of the Library’s collections, and gives visitors from around the world an opportunity to take home and enjoy these extraordinary items for years to come.

      Get the Book

    Research at the Library

    With our expansive historic collections, expert librarians, and a variety of fellowships and learning opportunities available, The New York Public Library is an invaluable resource for writers, scholars, students, and creators worldwide.

    Start Your Research

    • Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

      The New York Public Library’s flagship location, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is renowned for its extraordinary historical collections and its commitment to providing free and equal access to its resources.

      Learn More

    • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

      The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation, and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences.

      Learn More

    • The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

      The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world's most extensive research collections in the fields of theater, film, dance, music, and recorded sound, as well as a wide array of circulating and reference materials.

      Learn More

    • Get a Library Card

      Sign up for a library card for free online today! Access everything the Library has to offer, from free one-on-one online tutoring to e-books, with your library card.

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    • Stay Connected

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    • Support the Library

      Our collections, programs, and resources are made freely available to New Yorkers thanks to contributions from supporters like you. Become a member today and enjoy exclusive benefits, including special access to the Polonsky Exhibition, behind-the-scenes access to our collections, and more.

      Join

    Questions?

    For any questions about visiting the Polonsky Exhibition, please call 917-ASK-NYPL (917-275-6975) or email us: visitorexperience@nypl.org.

    Please note that due to limited space, strollers are not permitted in the exhibition. Please inquire with staff on site about solutions for storing your stroller or with any additional concerns. This does not apply to mobility aids used by people with disabilities.

    Select photography by Robert Kato.

    Privacy Notice: Bloomberg Connects is a third-party mobile application (app) developed by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The app is not owned or operated by NYPL and therefore we encourage you to review the Bloomberg Connects privacy policy here. The policy can also be reviewed within the app on your mobile device. Once you have downloaded the app, we also encourage you to review the app’s specific privacy settings, found in the “Settings” menu on your mobile device.

    For more information about NYPL’s third-party partners and vendors in general, please see Section 3 of NYPL's Privacy Policy describing “Third-Party Library Services Providers.”