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South Street Seaport Museum
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South Street Seaport Museum

Where New York Begins.

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Special Collections

Special Collections

The objects in the special collections at the Seaport Museum illustrate the history of many topics related to American history, science, and the arts. The Seaport Museum’s special collections contain more than 15,000 ship plans as well as rare and unique historic artifacts and works of art. Access to these collections is restricted, and requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Highlights include: the W. & A. Fletcher Co. Ship Plans Collection; approximately 1,000 historic toys and games, primarily from the 19th century and early 20th century, including the Arthur Liman Toy Collection, that document the leisure pursuits of American families; mid-late 19th century furniture and silver; and a small collection of archaeological artifacts.


Lightship Ship Plan, Diagram for Operating Fog Whistles, 1907
Tailshaft Taper and Propeller Hub Bore, March 1, 1957
Umbrella-style ink bottle, ca. 1860s-1880s
Umbrella-style ink bottles, ca. 1860s-1880s
Mucilage bottle with label, ca. 1860s-1880s

Acquisition Policies

To learn more about how we acquire and accession objects into our collection click the button below

Learn More

Collections Chronicles

Check out our bi-monthly blog where our collections team takes you behind the scenes and shares some of their work, inspiration, and more while highlighting hidden gems of history, the seaport, and our collection

Read the Blog

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South Street Seaport Museum

12 Fulton Street
NY, NY 10038
(212) 748-8600
Open: Sat-Sun 11-5

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