Discover days gone by with this curated list of historic institutions*– the next tour in our collaboration with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Whether you’re looking for somewhere local, national or international, there’s a place, and another time, for you to explore. 

*Note the below links work best on your smartphone with the Bloomberg Connects app downloaded.

LOCAL

Center for Brooklyn History | Brooklyn, New York, US

Let’s begin in Brooklyn with The Center for Brooklyn History, first founded as the Long Island Historical Society in 1863 by Henry Pierrepont. Since combining the collections from the Brooklyn Historical Society and the Brooklyn Public Library in 2020, it offers the largest catalog of local history, spanning over 400 years. You can learn all about the library and education center with the Building Audio Tour and get a true look at life in the area with the Brooklyn Is… exhibition, which is full of photographs, maps, and personal stories from Brooklyn’s dynamic neighborhoods.

New-York Historical Society | New York, New York, US

Now to New York’s first museum – the New-York Historical Society. It was established in 1804 and has been at its current location on the Upper West Side of Manhattan since 1908. The founders believed that citizens needed to take action to preserve evidence of their own historical time. Their huge collection of art, objects, artifacts, and documents helps tell stories of American history. Explore the museum in great detail by tuning in to the Collection Highlights. Also, catch the current exhibition Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of Andre Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers while you still can.

NATIONAL

Washington National Cathedral | Washington, DC, US

Washington National Cathedral is a great place to explore the past and get a glimpse of the future – with its gothic architecture and medieval-style garden, it appears to have a longer history than its actual 20th-century construction. The cathedral is a place of worship that has been the setting of many important historical events, including Dr Martin Luther King Jr.’s final Sunday sermon just days before his assassination in 1968. Discover the Highlights of Cathedral Art and Architecture and don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the newest windows in No Foul Play: The Now and Forever Windows by Kerry James Marshall installed in 2023, depicting the ongoing struggle for justice.

Old North Church & Historic Site | Boston, Massachusetts, US

Our next stop is another impressive church. The Old North, built in 1723, is the oldest in Boston. It gained prominence in 1775 when the church sexton and vestryman climbed the steeple with lanterns to signal Paul Revere’s ride. Discover all the historic details with The story of the steeple. We also recommend taking a look at The Printing Office of Edes and Gill to learn about the 18th-century print shop housed on site, its process, and the role of the press during the revolutions. Importantly, the Old North has recently created Illuminating the Unseen – a new video series that shines a light on Black and Indigenous people who have been excluded from the church’s historical narrative to date.

INTERNATIONAL

London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE | London, England, UK

Now let’s head across the pond to the site of Bloomberg’s European headquarters. Roman artifacts were found during the building excavations, and Bloomberg embraced this by creating the London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space. There, you can learn about a selection of The Roman objects on display, and in person, you can step into the reconstructed remains of the AD 240 Temple of Mithras, discovered in this location in 1954. And if that isn’t enough, you can take in new art commissions by international artists such as DREAM-BRIDGE-OMNIGLYPH by British artist Leo Robinson.

Nottingham Castle | Nottingham, England, UK

Our last stop on this tour through time is a castle in Nottingham, England, with an incredible 1000-year history. Get to know the city and the castle by working your way around the grounds, caves, art collections, and galleries. While you’re at it, learn about The Origin of Nottingham Lace or Nottingham Alabaster & Salt-Glazed Pottery. And we’re sure you won’t forget to immerse yourself in Robin Hood Adventures.

Want to continue your journey through time? Download Bloomberg Connects today and explore these historic site guides, and many more.

Open House New York is supported by Bloomberg Connects, a free mobile app featuring guides to hundreds of museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, and cultural spaces.