Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

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About The Museum
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution is the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. The Museum presents compelling perspectives on the impact of design on daily life through active educational and curatorial programming. It is the mission of Cooper-Hewitt’s staff and Board of Trustees to advance the public understanding of design across the twenty-four centuries of human creativity represented by the Museum’s collection.
The Museum was founded in 1897 by Amy, Eleanor, and Sarah Hewitt—granddaughters of industrialist Peter Cooper—as part of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. A branch of the Smithsonian since 1967, Cooper-Hewitt is housed in the landmark Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The campus also includes two historic townhouses renovated with state-of-the-art conservation technology and a unique terrace and garden.
Cooper-Hewitt’s collections include more than 250,000 design objects and a world-class design library. Its exhibitions, in-depth educational programs, and on-site, degree-granting master’s program explore the process of design, both historic and contemporary. As part of its mission, Cooper-Hewitt annually sponsors the National Design Awards, a prestigious program which honors innovation and excellence in American design. Together, these resources and programs reinforce Cooper-Hewitt’s position as the preeminent museum and educational authority for the study of design in the United States.

About the Collection
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum’s collection is international in scope, includes both historic and contemporary design, and extends from one-of-a-kind to mass-produced items.
The collection encompasses the rich holdings of the Museum’s Library, Archives, and four curatorial departments: Product Design and Decorative Arts; Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design; Textiles; and Wallcoverings. Designers seeking inspiration for new product lines draw ideas from the diversity of the collection. Scholars and students exploring the history of design use the collection as a primary resource. Writers seeking historical authenticity refer to them for firsthand experience of objects. Collectors—novice and seasoned—use the collection to expand their understanding and develop their expertise.
The Design Resource Center, a state-of-the-art study facility, opened its doors in 1998. Housing the departments of Product Design and Decorative Arts, Textiles, and Wallcoverings, the Center is linked to the Andrew Carnegie Mansion by the Agnes Bourne Bridge Gallery. The Library, the Drue Heinz Study Center for Drawings and Prints, and the Henry Luce Study Room for American Art are located in the Carnegie Mansion.