Secrets of the Met Museum: The Humble Beginnings

Before the Metropolitan Museum of Art became synonymous with world-class collections and the Met Gala, it began in the most unlikely of places: a cramped dance hall in 19th century Manhattan. On April 13, 1870, New York's newest cultural institution opened its doors in the Dodworth Building on Fifth Avenue—not with grand marble halls, but with 174 paintings squeezed into rooms designed for waltzes and suarez.

The founders, a passionate group of artists and philanthropists, faced an overwhelming challenge. How do you transform a space built for ballroom dancing into a museum worthy of housing priceless artifacts? They reinforced dance floors to support heavy sculptures, revamped lighting for delicate paintings, and navigated mountains of paperwork—all while running short on funding. Museums weren't funded as handsomely as they are today, so every acquisition and renovation depended on donations and fundraising events.

As the collection grew, the Met quickly outgrew its humble first home. The journey from the Dodworth Building to the Douglas Mansion, and finally to its iconic Fifth Avenue address at 81st Street, reveals a story of determination, vision, and the unwavering belief that art should be accessible to all New Yorkers—not just the elite. This is Part 1 of our Metropolitan Museum of Art series, uncovering the secrets hidden in plain sight at one of the world's most visited museums.

In This Episode:

• The surprising origins of the Met in a 19th century dance hall
• How 174 paintings launched a cultural revolution in New York City
• The logistical nightmares of moving priceless artifacts across Manhattan
• The Met's commitment to democratizing art during the Gilded Age
• What the founders' struggles reveal about building institutions that last

Next in Series: Part 2 explores the Met's most audacious art heists, from a $50 million masterpiece that vanished to rare artifacts simply walked out the front doors.

New episodes every Tuesday.

Hometown History uncovers forgotten stories from small-town America and reveals the hidden histories of famous institutions. Every hometown has a story—tonight, it's where the Met began.

EPISODE SUMMARY

The Metropolitan Museum of Art—home to 2 million works spanning 5,000 years—began in a converted dance hall with just 174 paintings. This episode traces the Met's journey from its opening on April 13, 1870, in the Dodworth Building through its moves to the Douglas Mansion and finally to its permanent home on Fifth Avenue in 1880. Discover how New York's cultural visionaries transformed their city into a global art capital, one artifact at a time.

KEY LOCATIONS

Dodworth Building (1870-1871)

• Address: 681 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
• Original Purpose: Grand dance hall and entertainment venue (built 1830s)
• Met's First Home: April 13, 1870 opening
• Initial Collection: 174 paintings
• Challenges: Space designed for dancing, not artifact preservation
• Modern Status: Building no longer standing (demolished)

Douglas Mansion (1871-1879)

• More spacious second home for the growing collection
• Housed expanding artifacts including Temple of Dendur and Unicorn Tapestries
• Served during the Met's Gilded Age expansion period
• Modern Status: No longer standing

Fifth Avenue Location (1880-Present)

• Address: 1000 Fifth Avenue (81st-82nd Street), Manhattan
• Architect: Richard Morris Hunt (Gothic Revival design)
• Construction: 1874-1880 (6 years)
• Grand Opening: March 30, 1880
• Modern Status: Active, underwent major renovations through 2019
• Current Size: 2 million square feet of exhibition space

KEY DATES & TIMELINE

• 1830s: Dodworth Building constructed as grand dance hall
• April 13, 1870: Metropolitan Museum of Art officially opens in Dodworth Building with 174 paintings
• 1871: Collection outgrows Dodworth Building, moves to Douglas Mansion
• 1874: Construction begins on permanent Fifth Avenue location (81st-82nd Street)
• 1870s: Gilded Age expansion - collection grows exponentially
• March 30, 1880: Grand opening of the Met's Fifth Avenue building
• 2019: Completion of most recent major renovation and expansion

KEY FIGURES

John Taylor Johnston

• Role: Founding member and major donor
• Contribution: Donated land for Fifth Avenue location between 81st-82nd Street
• Legacy: Instrumental in establishing the Met's permanent home

Richard Morris Hunt

• Role: Architect
• Contribution: Designed the Fifth Avenue building in Gothic Revival style
• Style: Inspired by enchanting Gothic revival architecture
• Legacy: Created the iconic facade that defines the Met today

The Founders (Collective)

• Artists, philanthropists, and cultural visionaries
• Believed art should be accessible to all, not just the elite
• Established public programs, lectures, workshops to democratize art
• Navigated funding challenges through donations and fundraising events

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