On February 20, 1872, a momentous chapter in American cultural history was written when The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened its doors to the public for the very first time. Although the museum had been formally founded two years earlier — on April 13, 1870 — it began its life without a building, a collection, or even a professional staff. Visionary civic leaders, artists, financiers, and philanthropists had united behind the ambitious idea of creating a world-class institution in New York City where art of all eras and cultures could be studied, appreciated, and shared with the public.
By 1872, The Met was ready to take its first tangible steps toward that goal. Its trustees secured a one-year lease for the Dodworth Building at 681 Fifth Avenue, a modest structure that had previously been a private residence and dance academy. With an initial acquisition of 174 old-master paintings — known as the “Purchase of 1871” — the museum assembled a nucleus of art that would form the foundation of its now-legendary collection.
The opening exhibition drew a remarkable crowd. According to accounts preserved in the museum’s archives, more than 6,000 visitors — including artists, students, critics, and amateurs from New York and beyond — came to see the newly displayed works. One contemporary reviewer, the young author Henry James, praised the Metropolitan’s opening show for its solid foundation and exemplary catalogue, signaling the institution’s promise even in its infancy.
Museum President John Taylor Johnston captured the optimism of the moment in his vivid description of the reception, noting that the artwork “looked splendid,” and the compliments were so abundant that the trustees could hardly suppress their smiles. It was a celebration not just of a new museum but of a new cultural resource — one that would grow to rival the great art institutions of Europe.
The museum didn’t stay in its first home for long. By 1873, it had moved to larger quarters at the Douglas Mansion on West 14th Street, and in 1880, it opened its first purpose-built facility on Fifth Avenue next to Central Park, where it remains today. Over the ensuing decades, The Met expanded its holdings dramatically, eventually encompassing more than 1.5 million works spanning 5,000 years of art history from around the globe.
From those humble beginnings in a leased building with a few dozen paintings, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has become one of the most visited and revered museums in the world — a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can encounter masterpieces of human creativity. The anniversary of its opening on February 20th serves as a yearly moment to reflect on the museum’s enduring mission: to bring the world of art to everyone.
[adrotate banner=”1184″]
