The New York Historical - Weitzman Shoe Museum

About the museum & collection

Founded in 1804, New York Historical is New York’s first museum and one of the city’s leading cultural institutions. Through its extensive collection of art, documents and artifacts, the museum documents more than 400 years of American history and explores the people, events and ideas that continue to shape the United States today.

The Weitzman Shoe Museum opened on June 18, 2026, as a permanent installation within the New-York Historical Society’s new 71,000-square-foot Tang Wing for American Democracy. Located on the first floor of the new wing, the gallery is dedicated to a remarkable footwear collection assembled by renowned shoe designer Stuart Weitzman and businesswoman and philanthropist Jane Gershon Weitzman. The museum presents shoes not only as objects of fashion, but also as historical and cultural artifacts. The collection offers visitors a view into changing ideas of design, consumption, celebrity, craftsmanship and American industry.

Project challenges & requirements

For the permanent exhibition on the first floor south gallery of New York Historical’s Central Park West building, Meyvaert was entrusted with the design, production and installation of three large showcases. 
These included 1 recessed wall case, 1 wall-standing case of 13.35m in length and 1 double-sided case with a solid middle structure, with objects displayed on each side.

The assignment built on an existing relationship with the museum, following Meyvaert’s earlier work for the Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture, where 65 custom cases were manufactured for the museum’s North Gallery, Corridor Gallery and Tiffany Gallery.

This earlier collaboration was important for the new project. The museum wanted the new showcases to maintain the same look and feel as the cases delivered in 2016, while benefiting from Meyvaert’s newer technologies and material improvements. 

The historical nature of the building also required careful logistical planning. As with the previous project, the Manhattan site presented practical constraints around access, unloading and installation conditions. However, the museum and construction team worked flexibly with Meyvaert, allowing these logistical challenges to be addressed without disrupting the project schedule. 

Display case solutions & results

By drawing on our knowledge of the museum, the building and the client’s expectations, we were able to streamline the design process and deliver a solution that felt consistent with the existing casework while integrating updated technical solutions. These included lighter-weight hinges, updated electrical locking systems and new materials, with neutral PVC foamboard replacing MDF.

On site, the installation team completed the work ahead of schedule, despite a demanding programme. This renewed collaboration confirms Meyvaert’s role as a trusted showcase partner, able to combine technical refinement, cost awareness and careful execution in a historic museum setting.

"The installation team was excellent, working ten hour days and finished the installation ahead of the schedule. The material, technical and aesthetic quality of the final cases is of very high quality (…)" 

–Gerhard Schlanzky, Director of Exhibitions, The New York Historical