Where-To-Go Wednesday: A Century of the New Yorker

What: A Century of the New Yorker 

Where: New York Public Library

             Stephen A. Schwartzman Building

             5th Ave. at 42nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through February 21, 2026

The current exhibit at the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman branch, A Century of the New Yorker, traces the history of that venerable publication from its founding in 1925 by Harold Ross and Janet Gray through the present day. Numerous magazine covers, cartoons, manuscript pages, pieces of correspondence, and more are on display. 

Over the years, the work of innumerable celebrated journalists and authors has graced its pages. They included Dorothy Parker, E.B. White, James Thurber, and many more. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood was just one of the many books that first appeared in the magazine. 

Throughout its history, the magazine has been at the forefront of every important issue facing society. Among other things, they commissioned Rachel Carson to write Silent Spring, sent  Hannah Arendt to report on the trial of Adolph Eichmann, devoted an entire issue to Hiroshima, and published Ronan Farrow's investigation of Harvey Weinstein when NBC refused to air it. 

On the lighter side, cartoons and drawings have always been an important feature of the magazine. Miniature illustrations that pepper its pages are referred to as spots. Cartoonists whose work has appeared in the magazine over the years include Helen Hokinson, Jamaica Kincaid, and Roz Chast. Charles Addams began his series of macabre drawings of the Addams family here before the characters became better known for appearing in two TV series and several movies. 

And that's our view. For more about the fascinating history of this beloved and esteemed publication, visit www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/new-yorker-100 and/or visit the free New York Public Library exhibit. 

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.