The Morgan Library & Museum Honors Jane Austen's 250th Anniversary with a Spectacular Exhibition - Time Left to View Is Limited to a Single Month
The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City is hosting an exceptional exhibition, "A Lively Mind: Jane Austen at 250," commemorating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. This unique experience offers visitors an immersive journey into Austen's authorship, personal life, and enduring legacy, from her teenage writings to her rise to global fame.
Visitors can expect to see manuscripts, letters, first editions, and iconic artifacts, including items from Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, England, some shown in the US for the first time. The show also includes objects from private collections and contributions from a dozen institutions worldwide.
Highlights of the exhibition include manuscripts and letters revealing Austen's creative development and ambition to publish, encouraged by her family, especially her father and sister Cassandra. Four surviving copies of an unauthorized edition of Emma published during Austen’s lifetime shed light on how Americans first encountered her work.
Artifacts illustrating Austen’s personal style and cultural context, such as her interests in music and fashion, are also on display. Audio vignettes from Austen's novels, extracts from her letters, and archival items bring to life the stories of everyday Georgian women who appear in or parallel her writing, including businesswomen and workers like housekeepers and governesses.
The exhibition's guest curator, Juliette Wells, provides commentary via audio stations throughout the gallery. Dale Stinchcomb, Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts at the Morgan Library Museum, explains that the exhibition examines how Austen was able to publish her novels despite women generally not being permitted to become writers during her time.
Entry fees for the exhibit are $25 for adults, $13 for students, and $17 for seniors. The exhibition's opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10:30am to 5pm; Friday 10:30am to 8pm. It is located at 225 Madison Ave, NYC.
For those who appreciate literary and historical artifacts, this exhibition is a must-see. The Morgan Library & Museum offers curator-led tours, such as the one led by Juliette Wells scheduled for August 29, 2025.
American readers have rallied behind Austen for generations, celebrating her as the world's foremost romance writer. The exhibition closes on September 14, 2025, making it a timely opportunity for visitors interested in Austen’s literary artistry, social history, and enduring cultural impact.
If you're a book enthusiast, don't miss out on the indie bookstore in Brooklyn, known as one of the best in the country. They offer great summer reading recommendations. For those interested in joining a book club, Fable's website hosts a book club for readers who want to delve deeper into literature.
Finally, Joan Didion's archives are available for perusal at the New York Public Library, providing another opportunity for literature lovers to immerse themselves in the world of words.
- visitors can learn about Austen's interest in music and fashion at the exhibition, showcasing artifacts from her personal life,
- the indie bookstore in Brooklyn offers book recommendations for summer reading, making it a great destination for book enthusiasts keen on new literature,
- at the New York Public Library, literature lovers can delve into Joan Didion's archives for an immersive exploration of the world of words.
