City Life Org – Delivering Justice: 150 Years of The Legal Aid Society at The New York Historical

Unidentified photographer, Banking Office, State Street, circa 1902. The Seamen’s Church Institute Archives

New special installation on view Now – July 5, 2026

For 150 years, The Legal Aid Society has been a constant in New York City—defending immigrants; advocating for children, youth, and families; protecting people’s homes, health, and livelihoods; and standing alongside those accused of crimes who cannot afford a lawyer. A new special installation at The New York Historical tells the story of how the work of The Legal Aid Society has shaped the laws, policies, and criminal legal system in New York City.

Never-before-seen photographs, press clippings, and original documents from 1876 to the mid-1960s tell stories of Legal Aid’s work to represent immigrants, sailors, women, and factory workers who couldn’t get their wages paid or were being held in prison because their family owed money to a loan shark. As the city grew and evolved, so did Legal Aid, as it adapted to new communities and cultures while pushing for changes to government policies to reflect the needs of low-income New Yorkers. On view are original works by contemporary artist Josh MacPhee alongside the art of young clients of The Legal Aid Society, as well as reproduced works by Ben Shahn, Romare Bearden, Arnold de Mille, and Jacob Lawrence.

From its defense of incarcerated individuals during the Attica Uprising to its role in litigating the Willowbrook State School case, and its long-standing advocacy on behalf of unhoused families and people held at Rikers Island, the special installation traces The Legal Aid Society’s work across pivotal moments in New York City’s history. Drawing on historical objects, court records, and archival materials, the special installation examines how The Legal Aid Society’s litigation, advocacy, and reform efforts have shaped the city’s legal landscape across immigration, housing, policing, juvenile and prisoners’ rights, and civil legal matters, highlighting the organization’s evolving role as first responders in New York City for 150 years.

On March 18, a panel discussion brings together legal historians and practitioners to trace the evolution of Legal Aid, exploring the people, policies, and landmark cases that have defined access to justice in the city.

The New York Historical
170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024
www.nyhistory.org
(212) 873-3400

Adults: $24
Seniors/Educators/Active Military: $19
Students: $13
Children (5-13): $6
Children (4 and under): Free
*Pay-as-you-wish Fridays from 5–8 pm

About The New York Historical
New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution covering over 400 years of American history. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; peerless collections of art, documents, and artifacts; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. Connect with us at nyhistory.org or at @nyhistory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Tumblr.

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