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Little-known Gem

Hispanic Society of America (NYC)

Every now and then you visit a little-known gem and all you can do is kick yourself for not making time to visit it much sooner. That was the case Saturday, when a friend from Inwood suggested we meet at the Hispanic Society of America, located on Audubon Terrace in Washington Heights.  It sits on Broadway between West 155th and 156th Streets. 

Happily, the main floor of the Hispanic Society is now accessible with the installation of a ramp located at the Broadway entrance, which takes you into the lower courtyard. 

A chair lift next to the stairs takes you up to the terrace while a second chair lift delivers you up to the front door of the building. 

There might be a 5 minute wait after you ring the buzzer. The staff has a bit of a walk to get to the chair lift so patience here is good.

Rolling the scooter off manually after coming out of the building.

For years I have passed this small enclave wondering what I would find inside, but I was resigned to possibly of never knowing given the impossibility of getting past all the stairs.  So when I learned that the Hispanic Society is finally accessible, I was delighted!

Before you head into the building take time to enjoy the impressive bronze sculpture of El Cid, created by Anna Huntington (wife of the founder Archer Huntington) along with a collection of smaller sculptures done by both Anna and American-Swiss artist, Bertold Nebel. 

Additionally, this vantage point on the terrace, allows you to examine the gorgeous craftsmanship of the Beaux Arts architecture of all the buildings, built of granite and limestone between 1904 and 1908. 

Let me say all the maneuvering with ramps and chair lifts is worth the effort because my jaw dropped once I got through the front doors. 

The architecture inside is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in NYC and the art showcased on the walls is stunning.  At present there are only three galleries open, but they are well worth the work to get there. 

The most prominent and prized possession of the Society is “The Dutchess of Alba” 1797 by Francisco de Goya y Lucierites.

The main gallery is an interior courtyard clad in a mauve and white marble from the floor up about 3.5 feet and from there to the wrap around balcony the room is covered in an ornate terracotta mimicking a courtyard one would have seen in Spain in the early 1900’s. 

The room is dark and somber and designed to highlight select masterpieces showcased here. A security guard informed me that normally art could be viewed on the balcony as well, but because there is no elevator, the building is not in ADA compliance. Thus, that art is out on tour until they determine where to put an elevator, which will give everyone easy access upstairs.    Here you will find the most prominent and prized possession of the Society is “The Dutchess of Alba” 1797 by Francisco de Goya y Lucierites.

While the maximum weight for the lift is 660 lbs, it would not work with me riding it. Which was fine by me. I don’t like riding those lifts if I don’t have to.