You know you’ve seen something special when the vibe of the visit stays with you long after you’ve left the space.  That’s just what happened to me last week when I finally made my first visit ever to the Jewish Museum located at 92nd and Fifth Avenue.  Unwittingly, I went on one of the last days of an outstanding exhibit—New York 1962-1964. 

Two things stood out—the museum building is a handsomely restored French Gothic Chateau-style mansion built in 1908 and the exhibit itself showcased many of the top New York City artists who created art during that particularly poignant three-year period. 

I was a pre-teen, farm girl living in the woods of northeastern Connecticut during that era but had the good fortune to visit the city three times in the 1960’s—twice to tour the World’s Fair and in 1967 on my 8th grade class trip.  On that trip I got to see the view not only from the top of the Empire State building, but from the Crown of the Statue of Liberty too!  It was exhausting and exciting, but I was oblivious to the bubble of change percolating on the streets below.   

Back inside the museum, I didn’t know where to look first.  The art was captivating, but the building interior is gorgeous.  Absolute eye-candy for anyone who appreciates Gothic design elements.  From the wood floors, massive doors with ornate framing, vaulted ceilings, and gilt-edge chandeliers—everywhere you rest your eyes, there is something beautiful to take in.  Once your architectural pallet has been satisfied, you can then focus on the art.  And here the curators do not disappoint!

In their permanent collection on the third floor you’re hit with “Wow” right out of the elevator.  Look left and there stand two gorgeous carousel horses from Coney Island 1914. 

Turn right and you are drawn immediately toward Deborah Kass’s painted aluminum OY/YO set in a brightly lit gallery with an interesting mix of modern, antiquity, juxtaposed with solemn and humor.  Sounds crazy?  Yes, but it works.  

Turn the corner in this room and you’ll spot the most beautiful shade of hot pink beckoning a closer look. The dramatic color is the backdrop for an outstanding collection of silver Taxonomies—a new word for me, a collection of Jewish ceremonial objects. These mostly ornate silver items include Torah pointers, spice containers, Passover plates etcetera. You’ll want to spend some time here.

Unfortunately, I could only see half this floor that day.  Making my way back to the elevators, I could see there was much more to take in and enjoy and I can’t wait to go back.  I chided myself in taking so long to visit this museum but now I can say it will be among the places I visit with regularity. 

If you’re not a regular already, my guess is you will be too.

Location:

1109 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY  10128

212 423-3200

Hours:

Saturday to Monday   11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday    Closed

Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Accessibility:

There is a glass door to the right of the main entrance with a wheelchair symbol which points to a buzzer.  Ring that buzzer and someone from security will open the door to the ramp inside.

The ramp brings you to the main floor with a coat check, the gift shop and ticket desk.

Overall the building is easy to navigate with a mobility scooter or wheelchair altough in the special exhibit there were areas that required tight turns. On the day I visited there were two other people using mobility scooters and two more in wheelchairs.

Dining:

At present the café is closed, however two blocks away the Cooper Hewett Museum has a nice café with outdoor seating in good weather and indoor seating (accessible by elevator) upstairs.

You can access this café through their garden entrance on 90th Street without paying a museum entry fee.  And just across 90th Street is the Church of Heavenly Rest, which operates a cafe run by Bluestone Lane.  Scooters do not fit inside, but weather permitting there is plenty of outdoor seating.

Restrooms:

The best restrooms are on the lower level where the former café was located.  You can fit a smaller scooter inside, but my larger scooter was best left in the hallway outside the restrooms.

Upstairs on the 2nd floor there also are restrooms but someone has to open the glass doors from the gallery to the restroom area and then someone has to hold the door open to the restroom.

Here again, my large scooter would not fit easily so it would be best to leave it outside and walk into the restroom.  Smaller wheelchairs will fit, but wider wheelchairs would have a hard time getting through.

Charging ports:

I did not make note of outlets, but will update this on my next visit.