Last Saturday and Sunday of the Month | 12pm | 211 Water Street | $100
The Bowne & Co. Stationers that you can visit today at the Seaport Museum, is an offshoot of the original Bowne & Co., Inc. that is one of New York’s oldest printing firms––having been established in 1775. Today’s small 19th century-style stationers faithfully embodies the spirit of a turn-of-the-century print shop, and invites you to experience the rich printing history of the city.
Each month, you have the opportunity to join our printers in celebrating this legacy in hands-on workshops! Sign up today for an immersive 3-hour program, from 12–3pm, where you can work together with Bowne’s designers to produce your own custom set of stationery—from start to finish.
In this workshop, you get to set type from the Museum’s collection of historical fonts, mix ink, cut paper, and print a bespoke edition of 35 notecards using a 19th century printing press. Great for all skill levels, the workshop will engage you in every part of the printing process—we even teach you how to clean the press at the end!
Advanced registration is required. Anyone ages 12 and up is welcome, and all supplies are included in the cost of the workshop. All participants get to take home their set of custom-made stationery valued at $250. Access to this workshop includes walking up and down a few stairs.
If you don’t see tickets for a specific date, that workshop has reached capacity. These popular workshops fill quickly, so claim your tickets today!
Gift the Experience of Letterpress Printing
To give this workshop as a gift for any occasion, we recommend listing your gift recipient’s name in the First and Last name fields but your email for the order confirmation. This way you can print out the confirmation email or forward it to your gift recipient to give as your gift, at a time of your choosing.
About Bowne & Co.
Established by Robert Bowne in 1775, Bowne & Co. holds the distinction of being New York’s oldest operating business under the same name. After growing as a financial printer throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Bowne & Co. Inc. partnered with the Seaport Museum in 1975 to open a 19th century-style print shop at 211 Water Street in the South Street Seaport Historic District. Today, it is comprised of the Bowne & Co. Printing Office––a workspace that continues the age-old tradition of job (or small batch) printing using historic presses from South Street Seaport Museum’s working collection––and Bowne & Co. Stationers, a 19th century-style emporium selling gifts and fine goods.
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 Saturday and 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 for March 12 and later will include entry to the forthcoming Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street. Be among the first to explore this exciting new exhibition and reserve your admission ticket now!
Bowne & Co.
Bowne & Co. is New York’s oldest operating business under the same name. Using seven historic presses from the Museum’s working collection, our resident printers continue the age-old tradition of job (or small batch) printing, creating individual designs using custom plates or historic fonts.