85th Anniversary

The Frick Celebrates Its 85th Anniversary

This month, the Frick is celebrating its eighty-fifth anniversary! From its opening day on December 16, 1935, to the present, the museum has shared its extraordinary collections and unique historic ambiance with the public. This year, while we celebrate the institution’s past, we also look towards the exciting milestones ahead—including the Frick’s temporary move to Frick Madison, opening in early 2021.

Director’s Greeting

On this commemorative occasion, enjoy a message from the Frick’s Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Director, Ian Wardropper. Learn more about Ian’s favorites in Director’s Choice.

Cocktails with a Curator

Toast the Frick on its 85th anniversary with two special episodes of Cocktails with a Curator that highlight the Collection’s history.

Vermeer’s Mistress and Maid
Friday, December 11, 5:00 p.m.

Hoffman’s Bust of Henry Clay Frick
Friday, December 18, 5:00 p.m.

Watch on YouTube

Building a Legacy

Read about key moments in the early years of the institution and discover a list of 85 little-known facts about the Collection.

Early Responses to The Frick Collection
Caitlin Henningsen, Educator

85 Frick Facts for 85 Years
Staff of The Frick Collection

Becoming The Frick Collection
Denise Allen, Former Curator

Library’s 100th Anniversary

As the Collection celebrates 85 years, we are also honoring the centennial of the Frick Art Reference Library, founded by Helen Clay Frick in 1920. The library is marking this major milestone with 100 Objects, a new publication highlighting books, archives, works of art, physical spaces, and individuals that represent the fascinating and unique history of the library over the past century. Featured objects include a rare original edition of a catalogue by Futurist poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, an archive on the life of American painter Walter Gay, and the library’s own Reading Room fresco by Nicholas Lochoff. In anticipation of the book's publication in early 2022, enjoy a preview of some of the selected objects in a 2018 podcast, A Peek into the Past, and a 2019 digital magazine, both created by former Frick interns.