about

Sarah and Eleanor Hewitt were two sisters who established the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts of Decoration in 1897. Granddaughters of famed industrialist Peter Cooper, they used their considerable means and impressive intelligence to amass a collection comprised of centuries of furniture, textiles, drawings, wallcoverings, and more—the basis of the collection now housed at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

This blog series chronicles the lives and work of Sarah and Eleanor, including their collecting pursuits, family travels, recreational activities, and social circle. From treatises on design education to generous gifts of decorative arts from prominent society friends to playful shenanigans at Ringwood Manor (the Hewitt family’s country estate), explore the lives and times of Sarah and Eleanor.

Cooper Hewitt Short Stories: Erskine Hewitt
In our last Short Story, we perused children’s books by great designers donated by the Kean sisters. This month, staying in the theme of sibling charity, we profile another Hewitt who, in his own way, made a substantial contribution to Cooper Hewitt: Erskine Hewitt! In managing his family’s estates, particularly those of his sisters Sarah...
Read Time
9 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
February 27, 2019
Meet the Hewitts: Part Sixteen
In Meet the Hewitts Part 15, Au Panier Fleuri—possibly the first ever museum shop—flourished. The store sold objects created by students from the Cooper Union Women’s Art School inspired by designs in the collection of the Cooper Union Museum of the Arts of Decoration. In this snippet of “Meet the Hewitts,” we meet some students...
Read Time
8 minutes
Posted By
Matthew Kennedy
Date
March 2, 2016
Meet the Hewitts: Part Fifteen
In Meet the Hewitts Part 14, the amusing artistry found in the Ringwood Guest Books was highlighted by Matthew Kennedy. Shopping is never out of season! This snippet looks at a wonderful new shop in the early twentieth century filled with artistic gifts and decor for the home. Created by the Cooper Union Museum for...
Read Time
8 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
November 2, 2015
Meet the Hewitts: Part Fourteen
Meet the Hewitts: Part 13 traveled abroad with Sarah and Eleanor. This month, we travel back to their country estate of Ringwood Manor to take another look at the residence’s guest books. In Meet the Hewitts: Part Five and Part Eight, Margery Masinter and Sue Shutte wonderfully describe the events and country life of Ringwood Manor,...
Read Time
7 minutes
Posted By
Matthew Kennedy
Date
August 5, 2015
Meet the Hewitts: Part Thirteen
Meet the Hewitts: Part 12 sent you digging in the Ringwood gardens. This snippet follows Sarah and Eleanor through their lifetime of travel. Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor THE SISTERS’ TRAVELS Sarah and Eleanor accompanied their parents—Abram and Sarah Amelia—on yearly voyages to Europe throughout their...
Read Time
10 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
July 1, 2015
Meet the Hewitts: Part Twelve
Meet the Hewitts: Part Eleven revealed new discoveries that recently surfaced to enrich our story about the Hewitts. We think June is a perfect time to return to the Hewitt summer estate, Ringwood Manor, to discuss various architects and designers who influenced the gardens and landscape surrounding the property. Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor...
Read Time
8 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
June 3, 2015
Meet the Hewitts: New Discoveries!
In Meet the Hewitts: Part Ten, our history of the Hewitt family and the founding of the Cooper Union Museum concluded with Sarah Hewitt’s death in 1930. Recently, new images and information surfaced — a researcher’s “eureka!” moments — and we want to share these findings with you. The story of Sarah and Eleanor continues!...
Read Time
7 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
April 8, 2015
Two hatted women, smiling on a sunny patio
Meet the Hewitts: Part Ten
Meet the Hewitts: Part 9 covered the life of the Hewitt Sisters in their mature years — their travels and “eccentricities.” We conclude these blog snippets with a look at why Sarah and Eleanor called their Museum “modern” and a brief history of the Museum’s move from Cooper Union to its present home in the...
Read Time
7 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
August 8, 2014
red, black and gold old-fashioned car
Meet the Hewitts: Part Nine
Meet the Hewitts: Part eight told about good times at Ringwood Manor and the Hewitt home in Bar Harbor, Maine. This snippet discusses the Hewitt Sisters in their mature years. Travels and Eccentricities, 1910-1930 “It seems in 1905 that the Hewitts went to Europe and Sally and Nelly thought they would go modern, and purchase an...
Read Time
11 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
July 9, 2014
lively colorful painting of horse drawn carriage
Meet the Hewitts: Part Eight
Meet the Hewitts: Part Seven described gifts to the Cooper Union Museum by the Hewitt sisters and their friends, establishing a world-class museum collection. With summer now upon us, let’s escape to the country as the Hewitts would have! Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum A Charming Country...
Read Time
7 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
July 9, 2014
image of a middle aged white woman, black and white old time photo. she wears pearls and has a vague and somewhat tranquil facial expression.
Meet the Hewitts: Part Seven
Meet the Hewitts: Part Six explored the origins of the Cooper Union Museum, retracing the Sisters' steps in Paris.  This “snippet” tells of the wonderful gifts to the fledgling museum by wealthy patrons and admirers of the accomplishment of the Hewitt Sisters. Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor...
Read Time
8 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
May 6, 2014
sepia toned photo of a room with three glass cases full of objects on view and paintings and jewelry displayed in frames on the walls.
Meet the Hewitts: Part Six
Meet the Hewitts: Part Five sketched the active lifestyle at the Hewitt country home, Ringwood Manor.  This month, April, will focus on Paris (of course) and explore how the sisters planned a museum for Cooper Union. Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor The Sisters Form a Plan: Paris,...
Read Time
7 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
April 1, 2014
A young woman posing on a brown horse in a stable. She wears tight riding clothes.
Meet the Hewitts: Part Five
Meet the Hewitts: Part Four described the Hewitts going to Gilded Age balls and their love of fashion and entertaining.  This month let’s enjoy their country lifestyle at Ringwood Manor. Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood Manor Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Life at Ringwood Manor When people think of Gilded Age summer estates,...
Read Time
6 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
March 4, 2014
An old fashioned newspaper with masthead saying"ONCE A WEEK" with frontpage image of woman, gazing down, in fancy gown
Meet the Hewitts: Part Four
Meet the Hewitts: Part Three described how Sarah and Eleanor’s knowledge of the arts of decoration grew as they embarked on a lifelong passion for collecting. This segment explores their role as prominent members of Gilded Age society. Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and MA’93, History of Decorative Arts and Design, Parsons the New...
Read Time
6 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
February 5, 2014
Spooky looking photo of a young woman standing outdoors in a hat and black coat.
Meet the Hewitts: Part Three
  Last month’s snippet, Meet the Hewitts: Part Two,  focused on the education and family life of the young Hewitt children.  Now we move on to Sarah and Eleanor’s formative years. Margery Masinter, Trustee, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and MA’93, History of Decorative Arts and Design, Parsons the New School for Design Sue Shutte, Historian at Ringwood The...
Read Time
5 minutes
Posted By
Margery Masinter
Date
January 7, 2014