All language & literature museums to visit in New York State

Celebrate the power of words at 26 language and literature museums in New York State. These museums explore the history of languages, literary works, and the lives of authors.

Are you a literature enthusiast? Here are the best language and literature museums in New York State

  1. The Morgan Library & Museum1

    The Morgan Library & Museum

     New York, NY
    The Morgan Library & Museum, also known as Pierpont Morgan Library, Morgan Library or The Morgan, is a renowned institution located on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. It is a place where visitors can explore a vast collection of manuscripts, papyri, incunabula, early prints, illustrated books, music autographs, and graphics.
  2. Museum of the City of New York2

    Museum of the City of New York

     New York, NY
    The Museum of the City of New York, established in 1923, is dedicated to showcasing the history of New York City and its people. It provides a comprehensive look into the city's past, offering visitors a chance to understand the evolution of the city and its diverse population over the years.
  3. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage3

    Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

     New York, NY
    The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, located in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, is the former home of the renowned American writer Edgar Allan Poe. This historic site offers a unique glimpse into the life and times of one of America's most influential literary figures.
  4. University Art Museum4

    University Art Museum

     Albany, NY
    The University at Albany is spread across three campuses. These include the Uptown and Downtown Albany campuses, as well as a campus located in the city of East Greenbush, which is situated just to the east of Albany. Each campus offers a unique environment and different facilities, contributing to the diverse experience of visiting the university.
  5. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Buffalo, NY5

    Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum - Buffalo, NY

     Buffalo, NY
    Discover history firsthand at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums, founded by David and Marsha Karpeles. Our museums across the United States preserve and showcase a diverse range of original manuscripts and historical documents, from handwritten letters and historical treaties to scientific pap
  6. Scandinavia House6

    Scandinavia House

     New York, NY
    Scandinavia House, also known as The Nordic Center in America, is a cultural center located at 58 Park Avenue, in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It is managed by the American-Scandinavian Foundation and is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of the Scandinavian and Nordic countries in the United States.
  7. Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture7

    Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture

     New York, NY
    The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a significant cultural institution situated in Harlem, New York. It operates as a branch of the New York Public Library, making it a part of one of the most extensive library systems in the world. The center's location in Harlem, a neighborhood rich in African American history and culture, adds to its significance and appeal.
  8. New York Public Library for the Performing Arts8

    New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

     New York, NY
    The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, also known as Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman, is situated in Manhattan, New York. It is located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in the Upper West Side, nestled between the Metropolitan Opera and Vivian Beaumont Theater. The exact address is 40 Lincoln Center Plaza.
  9. Stephen A. Schwarzman Building - New York Public Library9

    Stephen A. Schwarzman Building - New York Public Library

     New York, NY
    The New York Public Library Main Branch, located in the heart of New York City, is a significant landmark and a hub of knowledge. Designed by the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings, it is a National Historic Landmark and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 15, 1966. The library is a testament to the city's rich cultural and historical heritage, offering a wealth of resources for both locals and tourists alike.
  10. Interference Archive10

    Interference Archive

     Brooklyn, NY
    Interference Archive is a unique institution located in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It operates as a library, gallery, and archive, focusing on historical materials related to social and political activism and movements. The archive is run by volunteers and is a valuable resource for those interested in the history and culture of activism.
  11. Center for Jewish History11

    Center for Jewish History

     New York, NY
    The Center for Jewish History in New York City is a unique collaboration of five organizations dedicated to Jewish history, scholarship, and art. These include the American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute New York, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Each organization brings a different perspective and approach to Jewish history and culture, making the center a rich and diverse resource for visitors.
  12. Steepletop12

    Steepletop

     Austerlitz, NY
    Steepletop, also known as the Edna St. Vincent Millay House, is located in Austerlitz, New York. This farmhouse was the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and her husband Eugen Jan Boissevain. It is a significant location due to its association with the renowned poet.
  13. Mark Twain Room - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library13

    Mark Twain Room - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library

     Buffalo, NY
    The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library houses significant collections, including the original, hand-written manuscript of Mark Twain's 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', which was donated by Twain himself in 1885. Another notable collection is the 'Milestones of Science', which comprises first editions announcing major advancements in Western science. These collections offer a unique insight into literary and scientific history.
  14. Joseph Lloyd House14

    Joseph Lloyd House

     Lloyd Harbor, NY
    The Joseph Lloyd Manor house, located in Lloyd Harbor, Suffolk County, New York, is a historical site and Literary Landmark. The house was constructed between 1766 and 1767 on the Manor of Queens Village, a 3,000-acre provisioning plantation established in the late 17th century on the ancestral lands of the Matinecock Nation. This historical site offers a glimpse into the past, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to learn about the region's history.
  15. Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center15

    Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center

     Buffalo, NY
    Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, located in Buffalo, New York, is a non-profit art organization that has been in operation since 1974. The center was established by a group of artists with the aim of showcasing the work of contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds. The center has a rich history and has been a significant part of Buffalo's cultural scene for over four decades.
  16. Historical Society of Pennsylvania16

    Historical Society of Pennsylvania

     Philadelphia, NY
    The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, located on Locust Street in Center City Philadelphia, is a historic research facility. It is a significant location for those interested in history and research, offering a unique insight into the past. The society is easily accessible and is situated in a central location, making it a convenient stop for tourists exploring the city.
  17. Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum17

    Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum

     South Huntington, NY
    The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site is a significant location in West Hills, New York. It is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, marking its importance in American history. This site is where the renowned American poet Walt Whitman was born and spent his early years. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the roots of one of America's most influential literary figures.
  18. Hancock House18

    Hancock House

     Ticonderoga, NY
    Established in 1926, the Hancock House Museum and Research Library is managed by the Ticonderoga Historical Society. The building serves as a regional museum and reference library, offering a wealth of information and exhibits for visitors interested in the region's history.
  19. Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum19

    Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum

     Saranac Lake, NY
    Stevenson Cottage is a historic site located in Saranac Lake, within the town of St. Armand in Essex County, New York. This cottage holds a significant place in history as it was used as a cure cottage, a type of residence used for the treatment of tuberculosis patients in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  20. Fenimore Art Museum20

    Fenimore Art Museum

     Otsego, NY
    The Fenimore Art Museum is situated in the picturesque town of Cooperstown, New York. It is located on the west side of Otsego Lake, offering visitors a serene and beautiful environment to explore the museum's collections. The museum's location adds to the overall experience, making it a unique destination for art and history enthusiasts.
  21. Columbia County Historical Society21

    Columbia County Historical Society

     Kinderhook, NY
    The Columbia County Historical Society and CCHS Museum & Library, established in 1916, serves the residents of all eighteen Columbia County towns and the city of Hudson. This institution is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and presenting the history, heritage, and culture of Columbia County, New York.
  22. Grolier Club22

    Grolier Club

     New York, NY
    The Grolier Club, located in New York City, is a private society of book lovers and is recognized as the oldest existing bibliophilic club in North America, having been established in January 1884. This club offers a unique insight into the history and culture of book collecting and bibliophily in the United States.
  23. 23

    Point of Contact Gallery

     Syracuse, NY
    Be it poetry reading, editions of new books or enticing art exhibitions, this center always has so much to offer.
  24. 24

    Korean Cultural Center New York

     New York, NY
    KCCNY organizes a wide range of programs and events in various categories. These include gallery exhibitions, performing arts concerts, film festivals, and educational programs. These activities aim to introduce and promote both traditional and modern aspects of Korean culture to the New York community and beyond.
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    Hudson Valley Lgbtq Community Center

     Kingston, NY
    The Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center is situated in a three-story building at the intersection of Wall and John Streets in Kingston, New York. Its central location makes it easily accessible for both locals and visitors.
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    Akwesasne Cultural Center

     Akwesasne, NY
    The Akwesasne Cultural Center is a significant location that provides insight into the Mohawk Nation community of Akwesasne. It houses both a library and a museum, offering a comprehensive understanding of the community's history, culture, and traditions.