But, alas, no Roo. Just an empty pouch.

The New York Public Library has a treasure trove of objects spanning 4,000 years of human history, including items directly tied to New York City’s past and present. A selection of these are displayed in the main building’s “Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures.”

Of the 56 million objects in the collection,  one of the most unexpected is that of Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Originally gifted to his father’s American publisher by the original Christopher Robin, who was frustrated by his inability to distance himself from his childhood persona, they made their way to America as a way increase book sales and were eventually donated to the library where they have lived since 1987. Look how tiny Piglet is. No wonder he was always so shy.

Among the other treasures on view are old books, art, clothing, and historic objects. During our 2023 visit my favorites included: Washington’s handwritten copy of his farewell address:

An Audubon elephant folio (visit the New York Historical Society for lots more Audubon):

Charles Dickens’s desk, lamp and chair:

Historic photographs:

And, the cue book for the Broadway production of West Side Story:

The list goes on and on, with objects rotating on and off exhibit.

Free!