The Charles Engelhard Court and the Period Rooms Now Open
The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing—including The Charles Engelhard Court and the American period rooms—reopens this spring. After more than two years of construction and renovation, the unparalleled collections of American furniture, sculpture, stained glass, architectural elements, ceramics, glass, silver, pewter, and jewelry will again be accessible to the public. Twelve of the Met's historic interiors have been renovated, reinterpreted, and now feature interactive computer touch screens offering information about the rooms and their furnishings. The opening of the galleries marks the completion of the second of three parts of a project to reconfigure, renovate, and upgrade every section of The American Wing by 2011. Read more >>
Related Events
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- Gallery Talk
- Revisiting the New American Wing: The Charles Engelhard Court
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Guthrie Nutter
- Nov 13, 2009 at 6:15 PM
- (No voice interpretation; in American Sign Language only)
After a lengthy two-year renovation, The Charles Engelhard Court reopened to the public in the spring of 2009. We revisit highlights of the Museum's collection at the Engelhard Court as well as define the purpose of this space.
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- Member Event
- Evening Member's Reception and Viewing in The New American Wing: The Charles Engelhard Court, and Second- and Third-Floor Period Rooms
- Nov 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM
- An evening reception and viewing of The New American Wing, including The Charles Engelhard Court, and Second- and Third-Floor Period Rooms, for Donor and Sustaining Members.
Search the calendar for a list of upcoming events.
Behind the Scenes
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The extensive renovations to The Charles Engelhard Court and the American period rooms required two years to complete, and included bulldozers, front loaders, and the transport of the timber structure of an entire house from upstate New York. Go to Flickr to see more behind-the-scenes photos.
Video
Inauguration of the New American Wing
First Lady Michelle Obama (6:52 minutes)
Ribbon-cutting ceremony with First Lady Michelle Obama, introduced by Emily K. Rafferty, President, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. May 18, 2009.
Inauguration of the New American Wing: Ribbon-cutting Ceremony with First Lady Michelle Obama and Special Guests (30:40 minutes)
May 18, 2009
New American Wing: Behind-the-Scenes (8:34 minutes)
Director Thomas Campbell and Morrison Heckscher, Lawrence A. Fleischman Chairman of The American Wing, tour The Charles Engelhard Court and Period Rooms as preparations are underway to reopen on May 19, 2009, following two years of major renovation and reinstallation.
Related Audio
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- The Verplanck Room
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Metropolitan Museum curators Morrison Heckscher and Amelia Peck discuss the details of an eighteenth-century period room furnished with the belongings of the Verplanck family. Along with eighteen other period rooms, the Verplanck Room will return to public view when the New American Wing reopens. More information about the period rooms is available on the Museum's Audio Guide.
Episode Date: May 11, 2009 - The Verplanck Room Audio
- Download the audio file.
(2.26 MB) - Read the transcript.
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- American Art Pottery
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Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, the Metropolitan Museum’s Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts, talks with Robert Ellison about his collection of American ceramics from 1876 to 1956, a promised gift to the Museum. The works will be displayed on the mezzanine balcony of the Charles Engelhard Court in the New American Wing. More information about the American Decorative Arts collection is available on the Museum's Audio Guide.
Episode Date: May 18, 2009 - American Art Pottery Audio
- Download the audio file. (4.04 MB)
- View as a slideshow. (5 MB)
- Read the transcript.
Additional Resources
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History:
- Thematic essays from the Department of American Decorative Arts
- Thematic essays from the Department of American Paintings and Sculpture
Collection Database:
Metropolitan Museum Delicious Links:
Plan Your Visit
Museum Hours
Monday: Closed (Except Met Holiday Mondays)
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
See Plan Your Visit for more information, including directions.
The New American Wing Café
Join us in the new American Wing Café for traditional American favorites, soups, salads, and sandwiches served in a light-filled space adjacent to The Charles Engelhard Court.
Hours: Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Closed Mondays.
See a sample menu.