Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. The 64-room mansion, built from 1899 to 1902, is an impressive testament to the desire of Carnegie and his wife, Louise Whitfield Carnegie, to build a spacious, comfortable, and light-filled home in which to raise their daughter, Margaret. The mansion, designed in the Georgian style with Beaux Arts accents, was groundbreaking in its uptown location, technological features, and steel-frame construction. Join us on this tour exploring the Carnegie Mansion, its history, and highlights of the art and design still found within. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

• Program Length: 45 minutes 
• Interactivity Level: Low. Participants will move through different areas of the museum. During the tour portion, participants will be invited to participate in conversation. 
• Intended Audience: People interested in Andrew Carnegie, historic homes, curious about design and design history. No previous design or design history knowledge is required. 

Accessibility

• Location: This program will take place in person throughout Cooper Hewitt (2 East 91st Street, New York, NY). The areas covered are fully wheelchair accessible. The tour will begin in the Great Hall located on the first floor of the museum. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
• What to Expect: The tour involves moving through gallery spaces and standing to view the details of the building; wheelchairs and portable stools are available for those who can’t walk or stand for long periods of time. 
• Accommodations: For general questions, or if we can provide additional accessibility services or accommodations to support your participation in this program, please email us at CHEducation@si.edu or let us know when registering. Please make your accommodation request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least one week before the program date when possible.

About national Design week

National Design Week celebrates the power of design in our everyday world. Launched in 2006, National Design Week is held in conjunction with the National Design Awards. From October 2–8, Cooper Hewitt’s galleries will be free to enter, and programs will welcome all to engage with design. Join us for the presentation of the 2023 National Design Awards, and visit our calendar for a complete listing of programs during National Design Week.

Special Thanks

National Design Awards Partners

Shelby and Frederick Gans
Helen and Edward Hintz

National Design Awards Sponsors
Apple
Alexandra and Paul Herzan
Lisa Roberts and David Seltzer
Crystal and Chris Sacca

National Design Awards Patrons
Kimberly Schuessler
Richard M. Smith and Dr. Soon-Young Yoon
Jon C. Iwata
Agnes Gund
Scott Belsky
Victor Calise
Champions Design
Heller Furniture
Bobby Martin
Thomas Robinson
Margaret Stewart

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by eBay Inc., The Hirsch Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, with internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Youth Access Grants for Youth Innovation in Rural America, and public funds from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

National Design Awards trophies are created by The Corning Museum of Glass.