Website:
https://www.metmuseum.org/watsonThe Thomas J. Watson Library is the heart of research and scholarship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and is open to all. Founded under the museum’s original charter in 1870, the library’s collection has grown to nearly one million volumes, and is now one of the largest and most comprehensive art libraries in the world.
Watson Library’s special collections reflect the encyclopedic nature of the Museum’s collection. The collections feature books on art, design, and material culture from around the world, in an expansive range of languages, published from the 15th century through today. Particular strengths of the collections include: early printed works on color theory, perspective, art processes and techniques; illustrated books and albums on travel and exploration; exhibition catalogs and trade catalogs from the late 18th to 20th century; and art, design, and fashion journals from the eighteenth-century to present.
This tour, beginning at 1:30, will provide attendees with an overview of Watson Library’s Special Collections, and an opportunity to view select highlights and recent acquisitions. “Behind the scenes” tours of the stacks, conservation lab, and digitization/scanning facilities will also be provided.
Directions:Meet the Tour Wrangler at the designated meeting point near the Registration Desk, Promenade West, on the Hilton Hotel's second floor at 12:45 AM to travel together by public transportation. Tour participants are required to buy a loaded Metro Card in advance of the tour, so that the tour can remain on schedule. Round-trip travel will cost $5.50 cash.
Maximum Participants: 25
Administrative Fee: $10
