Established | November 17, 2009 | (chartered)
---|---|
Location | 225 Fifth Avenue Manhattan, New York City |
Coordinates | 40°44′38″N 73°59′16″W / 40.743804°N 73.987873°W |
Director | Cindy Lawrence |
Public transit access | New York City Subway:
Port Authority Trans-Hudson: HOB-33, JSQ-33 (via HOB), or JSQ-33 to 23rd Street MTA New York City Bus: M1, M2, M3, M55, M7, M20 |
Website | momath |
The National Museum of Mathematics or MoMath[1] is in Manhattan, New York City, US.[2][3] Opened on December 15, 2012, it was the first museum in the United States dedicated to mathematics,[4] with over thirty interactive exhibits.[5][6] The mission of the museum is to "enhance public understanding and perception of mathematics".[7] The museum is known for a special tricycle with square wheels, which operates smoothly on a catenary surface.[8]
In 2006 the Goudreau Museum on Long Island, at the time the only museum in the United States dedicated to mathematics, closed its doors.[9] In response, a group led by founder and former CEO Glen Whitney met to explore the opening of a new museum. They received a charter from the New York State Department of Education in 2009,[7] and raised over 22 million dollars in under four years.[10]
With this funding, a 19,000 square feet (1,800 m2) space was leased in the Goddard Building at 11-13 East 26th Street, located in the Madison Square North Historic District. Despite some opposition to the architectural plans within the local community,[11] permission for construction was granted by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Department of Buildings.
The current board chair is John Overdeck, co-chairman of Two Sigma Investments.[12]
In March 2024, the museum left its original home and moved to a temporary location at 225 Fifth Avenue. [13]
In October 2016, the exhibit The Insides of Things: The Art of Miguel Berrocal was opened, displaying a collection of puzzle sculptures by Spanish artist Miguel Ortiz Berrocal (1933-2006), donated by the late Samuel Sensiper. Each sculpture can be disassembled into small interlocking pieces, eventually revealing a small piece of jewelry or other surprise.[19]
On August 2, 2018, MoMath announced the creation of a Distinguished Chair for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics. Princeton professor and Fields Medal winner Manjul Bhargava was named as the first recipient of this position.[20]
Dr. Bhargava was succeeded by Peter Winkler, Dartmouth College Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science as the Distinguished Chair for 2019-2020.[21]
In July 2020, Rutgers University professor Alex Kontorovich was announced as the Distinguished Chair for 2020-21. Dr. Kontorovich presented public programs concerning the history of mathematical ideas and the intersection of mathematics and music.[22]
The 2021-22 Distinguished Chair for the Public Dissemination of Mathematics was Steven Strogatz, Cornell University Professor of Applied Mathematics, an award-winning mathematician, author and broadcaster.[23]
The fifth Distinguished Chair, announced in June 2021 is Tim Chartier, a Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Davidson College and a professionally-trained mime. At the same time, MoMath announced that the 2023-24 Distinguished Chair will be Ingrid Daubechies, Professor of Mathematics at Duke University.[24]