New York Historical Society To Close For Renovation

NEW YORK (AP) - The New-York Historical Society is closing its galleries for nine months to complete the last phase of a $65 million renovation of its 1904 building.

The research library and museum near Central Park focuses on material covering four centuries of American and New York history.

The museum will close on Tuesday and reopen Nov. 11. The renovation will create a new 3,400-square-foot great hall, children's history museum and restaurant.

The building's library and reading room will remain open until June 3. It will then close for an interior upgrade that includes cleaning its stained glass window for improved lighting. The library will reopen on Sept. 9.

Among its treasured documents is Napoleon's 1803 authorization for the Louisiana Purchase.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)