Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

The museum is housed in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion, a landmark Georgian Revival structure with Beaux Arts elements located at 2 East 91st Street on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Designed by the architectural firm Babb, Cook & Willard and completed in 1902, the mansion was one of the first residences in New York City to feature a steel-frame construction, electric elevators, and a sophisticated air conditioning system. The building includes four above-ground stories, a grand staircase made of imported Scottish oak, and a spacious landscaped garden. In 1989, the Smithsonian expanded the museum by acquiring the adjacent McAlpin-Minot House at 11 East 90th Street, connecting the structures via a passageway.

The museum's collection of over 215,000 objects includes ancient textiles, works on paper, furniture, and cutting-edge technologies. It holds the world's largest collection of works on paper by William Morris, a key figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. The collection also features significant holdings in furniture design, spanning from the 17th century to the present, and includes iconic modern design pieces. Notable objects range from historical artifacts to contemporary innovations, illustrating the evolution of design across disciplines and cultures.

Cooper Hewitt is a leading institution in the field of design, recognized for its role in promoting design education and innovation. It hosts the National Design Awards, a prestigious program that honors outstanding achievements in design. The museum's exhibitions and programs explore the history and culture of design, often focusing on singular topics that provoke dialogue about design's impact on society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum launched a digital exhibition platform, expanding its reach and accessibility. Its unique position as the only Smithsonian museum dedicated to design underscores its importance in preserving and interpreting the history of human creativity.