Visitor Information & Hours

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Please note that YIVO and the Center for Jewish History will be closed to the public from Friday, January 10 through Monday, January 20, 2025.

YIVO welcomes visitors to its exhibitions at the Center for Jewish History (CJH), in the John and Gwen Smart and the Joan Constantiner Galleries. YIVO also displays artifacts in the Selma L. Batkin Mezzanine and participates in the exhibitions of the other partners of the CJH. Tours of YIVO's Sima and Ruby Wagner Gallery are also available by appointment by calling (212) 246-6080.

Gallery Spaces

The free YIVO gallery spaces at the Center for Jewish History are open during the following times:

Sunday:

11:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Monday through Wednesday:

9:30am-4:30pm (last entry 4:00pm)

Thursday:

9:30am-8:00pm (last entry 7:30pm)

Friday:

10:00am-3:00pm (last entry 2:30pm)

Saturday:

Closed

Visitors are encouraged to register for advance tickets. Please present mobile or printed tickets for entry. Guests may also register at the front desk upon arrival.

Archives & Library

YIVO Archives and Library materials are available in the shared Lillian Goldman Reading Room.

Learn more about hours and access for researchers. Click here for more research tools.

Lillian Goldman Reading Room

Monday through Thursday:

9:30am-4:30pm
Walk-ins are permitted, based on availability, though appointments are recommended.

Accessibility

YIVO is located in the Center for Jewish History, which welcomes all visitors and strives to ensure that its exhibitions, programs, and public facilities are accessible to everyone. Visit here to learn more about accessibility at the Center.

Wheelchair Accessibility

All public areas of the Center for Jewish History, including the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Auditorium, the Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Great Hall, the Valentin M. Blavatnik Orientation Theater, the Selma L. Batkin Mezzanine, the classroom/meeting rooms as well as all galleries are wheelchair accessible.

Patrons with mobility disabilities who do not have access to a wheelchair may request a wheelchair free of charge. Wheelchairs are available in the main lobby on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on all floors of the Center.

For patrons who wish to transfer to a seat from their wheelchair, CJH will store your wheelchair. Please alert the staff if you will need assistance during intermission. Upon completion of the event, the staff member will return your wheelchair to you at your seat.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are available for patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss. Specifically, the Center for Jewish History provides the Sennheiser SI1015 Infrared Wireless System. Please see the Box Office Attendant upon your arrival at the Center to arrange for the use of an Assistive Listening Device. You will be required to leave valid identification such as a driver's license as collateral. There are limited Assistive Listening Devices available and will be given out on a first come first served basis. There is no charge for this service.

Directions & Parking

YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
15 West 16th Street
New York, NY 10011-6301

YIVO is located in The Center for Jewish History on 16th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). Nearby subway stops include:

14th Street – Union Square (L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6)
14th Street and 6th Avenue (F, L, M, PATH)
14th Street and 7th Avenue (1, 2, 3)
18th Street and 7th Avenue (1)
14th Street and 8th Avenue (A, C, E, L)

The Center can also be reached by bus on the M1, M2, M3, M7, M14, and M55 lines.

Parking

The Center has arranged discounted parking rates for visitors at the following parking garage:

SP+ Parking
20 East 16th Street (Between 5th Avenue and Union Square West)
$30.00 (Maximum of 8 hours)
Coupon required – click here to learn more

Visitors must have their parking tickets validated by the 16th Street security desk at the Center.

Parking on the Street

Overnight free parking is available on 16th and 17th Streets subject to parking regulations between 6:00pm and 7:00am but not allowed during the day. Metered parking can be found on 5th Avenue and on 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). Parking is free on Sundays.

Holiday Calendar

YIVO and the Center for Jewish History are closed for Jewish holidays and most national holidays. Below is a list of holiday closings in 2025.

December 31, 2025 | Tuesday | New Year’s Eve*
January 1, 2025 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day

January 20, 2025 | Monday | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 17, 2025 | Monday | Presidents’ Day

May 25, 2025 | Sunday | Sunday before Memorial Day**
May 26, 2025 | Monday | Memorial Day

June 19, 2025 | Thursday | Juneteenth

July 4, 2025 | Friday | Independence Day

August 31, 2025 | Sunday | Sunday before Labor Day**
September 1, 2025 | Monday | Labor Day

October 1, 2025 | Wednesday | Erev Yom Kippur*
October 2, 2025 | Thursday | Yom Kippur

October 13, 2025 | Monday | Erev Shemini Atzeret*
October 14, 2025 | Tuesday | Shemini Atzeret

October 15, 2025 | Wednesday | Simchat Torah

December 24, 2025 | Wednesday | Christmas Eve*
December 25, 2025 | Thursday | Christmas Day

December 31, 2025 | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve*
January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day

*The Center for Jewish History closes at 2:00pm on these days.
**The Center for Jewish History is closed on these Sundays.

COVID-19 Visitor Safety Requirements

Masks are encouraged but not required at the Center for Jewish History.

Please avoid visiting the Center for Jewish History if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, or have been in close contact (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more) with someone infected with or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 14 days.

Guests who require special accommodation should call Visitor Services at (212) 294-8301, to schedule an appointment in advance.