Puffin Gallery for Social Activism | The Puffin Foundation

New York City’s Dramatic 350-year History as a Focal Point of Social Activism Explored in The Puffin Gallery at the Museum of the City of New York

Now in its second decade, Activist New York, the ongoing exhibition in The Puffin Gallery at The Museum of the City of New York, examines the ways in which ordinary New Yorkers have advocated, agitated, and exercised their power to shape the city’s—and the nation’s—future. Centuries of activist efforts, representing the full spectrum of political ideologies, are illuminated through a series of installations. The exhibition features historic artifacts and images from the Museum’s celebrated collection as well as pieces on loan from other repositories and personal collections and serves as a learning tool for thousands of students and educators annually.

The Puffin Foundation Gallery is situated in a renovated and climate-controlled 2000 square foot south gallery on the museum’s second floor, and named for the foundation that has supported the gallery with a gift of $3.25 million. “Activism is a banner for all people to share their hopes and dreams of a better world,” said Perry Rosenstein, then president of The Puffin Foundation in 2009. “We are particularly pleased that the gallery gives guests the opportunity to connect with modern day activist organizations working on the pressing issues of today. Along with the ability for activists and the public to update images of current activism across the city, this exhibit enable viewers to learn about the past, present and future of activism in New York” added Rosenstein.

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