Episode 2 of 2

First Public Opening

Name: First Public Opening
Start: 1872-02-20
Location: 681 Fifth Avenue

When: 20 February 1872
Where: 681 Fifth Avenue
Part of: Metropolitan Museum of Art established

The museum first opened to the public on February 20, 1872, housed in a building located at 681 Fifth Avenue.

The museum first opened on February 20, 1872, housed in a building located at 681 Fifth Avenue. This occurred after the legislative incorporation in 1870 and prior to the acquisition of land in Central Park.

Sources

Metropolitan Museum of Art Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-06

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