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A long display case containing a variety of books and paper objects placed along a wall under a row of explanatory panels

Rare Book Gallery and Reading Room

The Rare Book Gallery features changing exhibitions of the Rare Book Collection’s holdings. Displays often highlight the works collected by Mildred Bliss, who, with advice from Beatrix Farrand, acquired rare books, manuscripts, and drawings in the field of landscape architecture, garden design, and garden history.

Large room with several rows of ornate white bookcases on both sides of a wide aisle dotted with yellow highback chairsLocated beyond the gallery, the Rare Book Reading Room, was designed by Frederic Rhinelander King. Inspired by French eighteenth-century styles, it was completed in 1963. This room serves as a library reading room, as it did during Mrs. Bliss’s era.

The Rare Book Reading Room is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. All other times are by appointment for readers only.

Map of the museum with the Rare Book gallery and Reading Room highlighted