Conducting research is an important aspect of the work of any museum, directly in support of the mission of the South Street Seaport Museum to preserve and interpret the origins and growth of New York City.
The Seaport Museum is actively engaged in a complete inventory of all its collections, works of art, artifacts and archival materials. The project will improve future public access to the materials in our care, and ensure that it is preserved for many generations to come.
Research Inquiries
COVID-19 Notice
In order to support New York City’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, and to prioritize the health of our staff and visitors, the Museum buildings are only accessible to essential employees. Due to limitations on staff time in our collections and archives, please note that research requests may be processed at a slower than typical pace and public access to our collection is currently paused.
Research requests are handled in the order received, and if there is a large volume of requests at a given moment it may take a minimum of 2 weeks to complete.
South Street Seaport Museum members at the Dual level and higher are entitled to a discount on all research fees.
Image Services
You may request access to Museum images for purposes of examination, study, research, publication, and advancement. You can request that digital reproductions be distributed to you through email, or cloud-based computer file transfer services. Alternatively, in-person access to Museum images can be provided at the Museum through appointment with the Collections Department.
Requests to access or use Museum images should be made in advance. Staff availability will be a factor in the evaluation of any request not made in advance. A request to use or have access to an image does not guarantee such use or access, and the Seaport Museum reserves all rights in granting and revoking permissions in regards to images.
Digital images for lecture, publication, exhibition, public space, films, or web/blog/digital use are subject to reproduction and licensing fees. Please contact us for more information at collections@seany.org
Public Access to the Collections
COVID-19 Notice
In order to support New York City’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, and to prioritize the health of our staff and visitors, the Museum buildings are only accessible to essential employees. Due to limitations on staff time in our collections and archives, please note that research requests may be processed at a slower than typical pace and public access to our collection is currently paused.
Access to South Street Seaport Museum’s collections and reference library is granted on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Director of Collections.
Requests will be approved or denied after careful review of the following criteria:
- Support of the Museum’s mission;
- Availability of staff and Museum spaces;
- Security concerns for the preservation and well-being of the collection and storage areas;
- Availability and accessibility of the requested objects;
- Number of objects requested;
- Physical condition of the objects requested.
Furthermore, the Director of Collections, in consultation collections management, registration, and curatorial staff members, will determine whether outside individuals will be allowed to handle objects. Handling of objects will be directly supervised by a designated collections staff member.
Research fees depend on the nature of the request. A cost estimate can be provided once a research request is submitted. Click below to inquire.