Cultural icon, feminist pioneer, and former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is celebrated in a new exhibit at the New-York Historical Society through January 23.
The interactive exhibition “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” is based on the bestselling book and Tumblr account of the same name.
RBG grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She was the second female Supreme Court justice, after Sandra Day O’Connor, serving from 1993 until her death in 2020.
According to the exhibit description, on display are “archival photographs and documents, historical artifacts, contemporary art, media stations, and gallery interactives spanning RBG’s varied roles as a student, wife to Martin ‘Marty’ Ginsburg, mother, lawyer, judge, women’s rights pioneer, and internet phenomenon.”
A few exhibit highlights include:
- RBG’s Supreme Court robe and jabot (collar)
- RBG official Supreme Court portrait
- Audio recordings of RBG’s oral arguments, majority opinions, and dissents in landmark Supreme Court cases
- Recreation of a Supreme Court bench where visitors can pose (perhaps in an RBG power stance) and take photos
This traveling exhibit will relocate to Houston, Texas, next year. It is scheduled to be on display March 11–July 31, 2022, at the Holocaust Museum Houston.
If You Visit The RBG Exhibit In New York City
The New-York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
Admission is $22 for adults, and $17 for seniors, educators, and active members of the military. The historical society is open daily with varying hours. Admission is “pay what you wish” on Fridays from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. According to current New York City COVID-19 prevention and safety regulations, all visitors age 12 and older must show proof of vaccination to enter the museum (and any other indoor dining, fitness, or entertainment venues in NYC).
Other popular tourist attractions near the New-York Historical Society include the American Museum of Natural History and Strawberry Fields, an area of Central Park honoring John Lennon. Slightly further afield are The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (“The Guggenheim”), and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
If you can’t make it to New York City or Houston to celebrate the Notorious RBG at this retrospective exhibit, consider shopping for RBG memorabilia on the historical society’s website. Items range from books about the legendary women’s rights activist to RBG T-shirts, holiday ornaments, bags, and even dissent collar earrings, necklaces, and key chains.
