South Street Seaport Museum Rededicates A.A. Thomson & Co. Warehouse
The South Street Seaport Museum held a Building Rededication Ceremony for the A.A. Thomson & Co. warehouse, a historic 1868 building celebrated for its architectural significance within the South Street Seaport Historic District. After undergoing extensive restoration and renovation, the Museum rededicated the warehouse to a renewed purpose, converting this former industrial space into an educational venue. The newly transformed building invites visitors to see themselves reflected in the Museum, now accessible and reimagined as a center for learning and engagement with New York’s rich maritime heritage.  

Maritime City Exhibition Opening in March 2025
At the press event, the Museum also announced that tickets are now available for the highly anticipated *Maritime City* exhibition, which will be housed in the newly renovated A.A. Thomson & Co. warehouse. The exhibition will open to the public on March 12, 2025, and span the first three floors of the building. *Maritime City* will showcase 540 carefully selected objects from the Museum’s vast collection of over 80,000 works of art, historical artifacts, and archival records, offering visitors an immersive experience that traces the evolution of New York from its maritime origins to its status as a global capital of culture and finance.  

The exhibition will highlight the impact of the city’s waterways, industries, and people, with objects representing a diverse range of time periods, themes, and materials. Visitors will discover how New York’s maritime history, from the Lenape people to waves of immigrants, shaped the city’s identity as a world capital. The exhibition also explores the diverse working-class communities that helped build New York, from ship workers to emigrants who passed through the port, offering visitors a deep connection to the city's origins.

The opening of *Maritime City* will be complemented by dynamic public programs designed to engage visitors of all ages, encouraging them to explore New York’s maritime past and its ongoing connections to the world. These programs aim to make the exhibition accessible and engaging for families, students, and history enthusiasts alike.  

Exhibition Details
*Maritime City* will be open Wednesday–Sunday from 11am–5pm, starting in March 2025. Located at 213 Water Street, the Museum offers a pay-what-you-wish admission policy, allowing visitors to decide what they feel is an appropriate price. The Museum’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion is reflected in this pricing model, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience this important exhibition.

Pre-book your tickets today for the *Maritime City* exhibition and join the Museum’s mailing list for the latest updates. Tickets and more information are available here.

About the Exhibition
The *Maritime City* exhibition will be presented across all three floors of the newly-renovated A.A. Thomson & Co. warehouse. Highlights of the exhibition include a 22-foot-long model of the RMS *Queen Mary*, paintings by renowned maritime artists James Edward Buttersworth, Antonio Jacobsen, and Gordon Grant, and large glass plate negatives from the George P. Hall & Son studio. Also on display are rare artifacts such as a wheel from the SS *Normandie* and contemporary fine art photographs by Jeremy Dennis, a Shinnecock Indian Nation artist. Visitors can also explore miniatures, interactive exhibits, and historical items from the Museum’s archives.

The exhibition will also feature educational items for hands-on engagement, including technical drawings, ship plans, and shipbuilding tools. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to interact with select artifacts such as Dutch-era bricks and oyster shells, as well as explore video displays of fragile archival materials.

About the A.A. Thomson & Co. Warehouse
The A.A. Thomson & Co. warehouse, located at 213–215 Water Street, was designed by renowned New York City architect Stephen D. Hatch in 1868. This Italianate cast-iron and stone structure has long been an important landmark in the South Street Seaport Historic District. The building was originally designed for Alexander and William A. Thomson of A.A. Thomson & Co. and is one of the oldest remaining structures in the area.

Working with the acclaimed preservation architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle, the Seaport Museum has transformed the 12,000-square-foot warehouse into a state-of-the-art exhibition space, including climate control systems, flood-resistant infrastructure, and full accessibility. The building’s renovation ensures that it will serve as an educational hub and community gathering space for years to come.

About the South Street Seaport Museum
Founded in 1967, the South Street Seaport Museum preserves and interprets New York’s history as a great port city. The Museum’s extensive collection includes over 80,000 works of art, historical artifacts, and archival records that tell the story of “Where New York Begins.” In addition to exhibition galleries, the Museum offers educational spaces, working 19th-century print shops, and an active fleet of historic vessels. More information.

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