Hispanic Society of America

The Hispanic Society of America is an art museum and research library in Washington Heights, Manhattan devoted to Iberian culture. It occupies two adjacent buildings on Audubon Terrace and holds paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and rare manuscripts alongside books spanning several centuries.

The institution began in 1904 as a private foundation by Archer Milton Huntington, a collector and scholar who devoted his life to Iberian studies. After several renovations over the decades, the museum fully reopened to the public beginning in 2019.

Founded by philanthropist Huntington as an educational institution open to everyone, the society maintains free admission so that visitors can explore Iberian art and scholarship without barriers. The name reflects its focus on cultures from the Iberian Peninsula and their influence across the Americas.

The institution sits on Audubon Terrace between 155th Street and 156th Street and can be reached easily by subway from the nearby station. Since the collection is extensive, many visitors plan one to two hours for the tour.

The terracotta sculptures by Anna Hyatt Huntington, the founder's wife, stand in the courtyard and show El Cid on his horse. The staircase is decorated with azulejos imported directly from Seville, giving the space an Andalusian feel.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: May 18, 1904

Founders: Archer Milton Huntington

Official opening: 1904

Industry: higher education

Phone: +12129262234

Website: https://hispanicsociety.org

GPS coordinates: 40.83327,-73.94643

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31