DIMENNA CHILDREN’S HISTORY MUSEUM
NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
New York, NY
The Dimenna Children’s History Museum at the New-York Historical Society reveals the history of New York City to young audiences through the lens of a child’s life. The exhibits foster research and observation skills, prompting visitors ages 8-12 to be “history sleuths” and unlock the city’s past by investigating objects, events, and personal stories of other NYC children throughout history.
Services
Interpretive Programming
Exhibit Design & Development
Graphic Design
Logo / Identity Design
Size
2,100 sf
A LIBRARY OF WONDERMENT
The space is designed as a library of wonderment, full of objects and displays that blur the line between past and present, and that upon closer examination reveal hidden opportunities to delve deeper into the content. A bookshelf spins to reveal technology kiosks that display historical documents; keyholes focus visitors’ attention on a historical event; and various “decoders” explain handwriting from the past.
STORIES FROM THE PAST
Recognizing people’s innate fascination with personal stories, the exhibit utilizes audio, scents, textures, and other sensory elements to create “portraits come to life.” These encounters with individuals from New York’s past make history personal and engaging for young audiences. Visitors can continue their history explorations in the adjacent Barbara K. Lipman Children’s History Library, an area where the N-YHS makes its collection of children’s books accessible.
“What extraordinary good fortune for the New-York Historical Society to have worked with SKOLNICK to create our first-ever children’s history museum! The team’s knowledge, creativity, and willingness to listen made our experience particularly pleasurable. Our children’s museum and children’s library have increased the percentage of young visitors to N-YHS by more than 500%. What an incredible achievement!
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