Museum of American Finance facts for kids
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Looking northeast from Wall Street toward the museum's former Wall Street location.
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| Established | 1988 (as the Museum of American Financial History) |
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| Type | Finance museum; Smithsonian Institution affiliate |
The Museum of American Finance is a special place. It teaches people all about money, banks, and how America's financial system grew. It's like a public museum for finance history. It's even connected to the famous Smithsonian Institution. For a long time, it was in New York City's busy Financial District. But in April 2025, the museum moved to Boston, Massachusetts.
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History of the Museum
The Museum of American Finance was started in 1987. A man named John E. Herzog created it. He wanted to teach people about money after a big stock market crash happened that year. The museum first opened its doors in 1988 or 1989. It was first called the Museum of American Financial History. In 2005, its name changed to the Museum of American Finance.
Where the Museum Has Been
The museum has moved a few times. Until December 2006, it was at 26 Broadway in New York City. Then, in January 2008, it opened in a new spot at 48 Wall Street. This building used to be the main office for the Bank of New York. In 2018, the museum's building had a flood. Because of this, the museum had to close its doors and look for a new permanent home.
In April 2025, the museum announced its big move. It relocated to Boston, Massachusetts. The new museum is part of Boston's Seaport area. It is set to open in the summer of 2026. When it opens, it will be free to visit! The museum will also focus on Boston's important role in America's financial story. It will show off items from its collection that are connected to Boston.
Museum Collections and Exhibits
The museum collects many interesting items. These include old documents and objects related to financial markets, money, and banking. Its collection has more than 10,000 items. You can see old stock certificates, bonds, pictures, and bank notes. There are also old checks and books.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has exhibits that are always there. These shows teach about financial markets, money, and banking. They also cover entrepreneurship (starting your own business) and Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was a very important person in early American finance.
The museum also has special exhibits that change over time. Some past exhibits have included:
- "Checks & Balances: Presidents and American Finance"
- "Tracking the Credit Crisis" (about financial problems)
- "Alexander Hamilton: Lineage and Legacy" (more about Hamilton)
- "Scandal! Financial Crime Chicanery and Corruption That Rocked America" (about financial wrongdoing)
- "Women of Wall Street" (about women who worked in finance)
The museum's collections were safe during the 2018 flood. The new Boston location will be the first time the museum has a permanent exhibit space since 2018.
Programs and Events
The museum hosts many interesting programs. They have a lecture series where experts from the financial world come to speak. These talks cover everything from current money topics to important events and people in America's financial past.
Other programs include:
- Lunch and Learn Series: These are talks and demonstrations during lunchtime.
- Walking tours: You can explore financial history by walking around.
- Film screenings: The museum shows movies related to finance.
The museum also holds an annual gala event. At this event, they give out the Whitehead Award. This award honors someone who has shown great public service and leadership in finance.
Since 2012, the museum has worked with the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society. They have hosted events together. These events celebrate Alexander Hamilton's birthday and his life. They have included talks by historians and discussions about collecting Hamilton's original documents.
Images for kids
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Main gallery
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Money gallery
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Hamilton Room
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Information section
See also
