October 17–19
The annual Open House New York Weekend promotes unparalleled access to the city’s places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future. As part of the 2025 lineup, the Seaport Museum is offering opportunities to get special-access tours to two of the Museum’s spaces—the newly-restored 1868 warehouse A.A. Thomson & Co. and the 1885 tall ship Wavertree.
Tickets will be distributed on a lottery basis by OHNY. Scroll down to learn more about the Museum’s tours and visit the Open House New York website to see the full lineup and to sign up for a tour.
Important Dates
September 19: OHNY Members Lineup Preview
OHNY Members get early access to the Weekend lineup.
September 26: Public Reveal
The full festival lineup is revealed for all locations, activities, dates, and times.
October 3: Ticket Release
Tickets become available. Tickets are $7.
A.A. Thomson & Co. Tour
October 18 | 11am, 1pm
The newly restored Italianate cast iron and stone warehouse located at 213–215 Water Street has seen the evolution of New York City through more than 150 years. Learn more about the history of this architectural landmark designed by the renowned New York City architect Stephen D. Hatch (1839–1894) in 1868 for Alexander and William A. Thomson of A. A. Thomson & Co., part of the South Street Seaport Museum historic campus.
Join Beyer Blinder Belle’s Partner and Director of Historic Preservation Richard Southwick for a tour and discussion of the immersive task of restoring the South Street Seaport Museum’s A.A. Thomson & Co. warehouse—including extensive research and an understanding of the building’s uses and materials—and transforming it into a space for the South Street Seaport Museum to exhibit its art collections, and host public programs and events.
Southwick will be joined by the Museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions, Martina Caruso, who will shine a light into the historical research into the name of the building and the creation of the exhibition Maritime City.
The tour will include access to upper-floor raw spaces that feature views of the East River and a mid-19th century impressive dumb-elevator mechanism.
1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Tour
October 19 | 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm
Take a special guided tour of the flagship of the South Street Seaport Museum’s fleet. Walk the length of the vessel’s massive cargo hold, which is not usually open to the public.
Built of riveted wrought iron, the 1885 tall ship Wavertree is an archetype of the sailing ships of the latter half of the 19th century that, during the “age of sail,” lined South Street by the dozens, creating a forest of masts from the Battery to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Visit places around the ship with museum staff and crew that are not typically accessible to the general public. Get a glimpse of how the historic fleet is maintained, see nooks and crannies, and get immersed in history while walking the entire length of Wavertree’s hold.
About Open House New York
Open House New York promotes broad, unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future
About A.A. Thomson & Co.
This Italianate cast iron and stone warehouse, located at 213 Water Street, was designed by the renowned New York City architect Stephen D. Hatch (1839–1894) in 1868 for Alexander and William A. Thomson of A.A. Thomson & Co.. Before the structure was built, this lot was occupied by two three-story buildings, originally part of a 1750 water lot grant, on what would have been considered one of the principal streets in New York City. At the Building Rededication Ceremony for the warehouse in October 2024, the Museum rededicated the historic warehouse to a renewed purpose, converting this former industrial space to an education venue, welcoming all to see themselves reflected in the Museum.
About the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree
Wavertree was built at Southampton, England, in 1885 and, after a 24-year sailing career and circumnavigating the globe at least three times, is now the last remaining iron-hulled three-masted full-rigged cargo ship. Today, Wavertree is visited by guests of all ages from around the globe and serves as the centerpiece of the “Street of Ships” at the Seaport Museum. She was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 13, 1978 and symbolizes the profound influence of sailing ships, their intrepid sailors, and the bustling waterfront in shaping New York City into a modern metropolis. As a historic vessel with a fascinating past, Wavertree embodies the rich maritime heritage that played a pivotal role in transforming South Street into the vibrant heart of “Where New York Begins.”
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets, available Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in.
Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street. Admission tickets also include entry to the three-floor exhibition Maritime City in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street.
And, make sure to check out the temporary outdoor exhibition Signs of Origins while it is on view from October 1 through November 30!
Ready for more?
Head over to our Programs and Events page to see what else is happening at the Museum. Sign up for an upcoming talk, learn more about visiting Wavertree, or explore our virtual offerings.