Entertain at Cooper Hewitt
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is housed in philanthropist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie’s former mansion on Museum Mile. Built at the turn of the century, its fin-de-siècle interiors feature ornate coffered oak ceilings, carved boiserie paneling, custom-made wallcoverings, and a conservatory with Palladian bronze and glass doors. A top-to-bottom interior and exterior renovation sensitively restored the grandeur of the mansion’s exquisite craftsmanship and injected contemporary architectural features to transform one of New York’s grandest residences into a dynamic, dramatic setting for gatherings of all sizes.
Situated on the highest point of Fifth Avenue with expansive views of Central Park, the mansion also enjoys one of the city’s largest enclosed gardens. The Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden integrates contemporary landscape features with historic plantings and is open year-round for tented or plein-air events.
For more information on hosting events at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, please view our Rental Venue Guide or contact Special Events at 212-849-8340 or CHevents@si.edu.
The most notable feature of the Cooper Hewitt property is the extensive garden. With views of Central Park and the magnificent Carnegie Mansion, the garden offers a range of options for your special event in all seasons. Tenting is recommended.
Private garden events can be hosted during public hours (10am-6pm) and after hours (6-10pm). Dance floors and bands are permitted. No amplified sound after 10pm.
7,600 square feet | Capacity: 500 Seated, 1,000 Standing
Modeled after the main hall of Skibo Castle on Andrew Carnegie’s Scottish estate, Cooper Hewitt’s Great Hall serves as the main entry to the museum and features extraordinary architectural details, including a grand staircase, rich wood paneling, and Tiffany-style lamps.
1,388 square feet | Capacity: 65 seated, 250 standing
Great Hall events can be hosted before 10am and after 6pm. Dance floor and bands are permitted.
Located off the Great Hall, the Library is a jewel of the mansion overlooking Central Park and adorned with gilt walls, paneled wainscot and elaborately stenciled friezes featuring Andrew Carnegie’s favorite quotes. The space is available for daytime events, breakfasts, meetings, and lunches and can be used for smaller evening gatherings or as added space for events in the Great Hall.
1,000 square feet | Capacity: 50
Located off the Great Hall, the Spoon Gallery provides additional space for events in the mansion and is typically used for a bar, additional buffet, or cocktail tables.
Located on the ground floor of the Carnegie Mansion, Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room offers a contemporary space that is ideally suited for lectures, film screenings, press events, meetings, and seminars.
1,300 square feet | Capacity: 70 seated at rounds, 125 standing, 100 theater seating
Located off the Lecture Room and Design Studio, the Ground Floor Gallery offers direct access to the freight elevator and the garden. The gallery is suited for dinners, lunches, lectures, meetings, and seminars.
1,620 square feet | Capacity: 200 theater seating, 125 standing, 50 seated
Connecting to the Ground Floor Gallery and around the corner from the Lecture Room, the Design Studio offers direct access to the freight elevator and the garden and provides full AV Capabilities. The Design Studio is suited for interactive meetings, seminars, and classes.
722 square feet | Capacity: 50
Located in the Miller / Fox Townhouses adjacent to the Carnegie Mansion, the Trustees Room overlooks the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden and provides an elegant, intimate setting for a private dinner, executive meeting, or lecture. The Trustee’s Room is often used as a suite for weddings and Garden events.
600 square feet | Capacity: 24 Boardroom Style, 40 Seated Rounds, 60 Standing
Located in the Miller / Fox Townhouses adjacent to the Carnegie Mansion, the Miller Fox Library provides an elegant setting for meetings, film, and photo shoots. The library is available daytime and evening by appointment.
