National Museum of Mathematics

National Museum of Mathematics
Name	National Museum of Mathematics
Established	15 December 2012
Location	11 East 26th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Type	Science museum
Founder	Glen Whitney, Tim Nissen
Director	Cindy Lawrence
Website	momath.org

National Museum of Mathematics is a science museum dedicated to mathematics located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Founded in 2012, it is the only museum in North America devoted solely to mathematics and aims to enhance public understanding and perception of the subject. The museum features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special events designed to make mathematical concepts accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages. Its mission is to illuminate the patterns and structures of mathematics in the world around us.

History

The concept for the museum emerged after the closure of the Goudreau Museum on Long Island, which had been a small mathematics museum. Co-founders Glen Whitney, a former hedge fund mathematician, and Tim Nissen, an exhibit designer, spearheaded the effort to create a new, larger institution. With significant support from the mathematical community, including a lead gift from Google executive Megan Smith, the museum secured its location and funding. It officially opened to the public on December 15, 2012, following a preview gala attended by notable figures like James Simons of the Simons Foundation and Michael Bloomberg, then mayor of New York City.

Exhibits and galleries

The museum's core experience is its array of over thirty interactive exhibits spread across two floors. Key installations include the **Square-Wheeled Trike**, which allows visitors to ride a tricycle on a track of inverted catenary curves, demonstrating smooth motion. The **Human Tree** exhibit uses kinect sensors to map participants' movements into branching fractal patterns. Other notable exhibits explore topics like tessellation, minimal surfaces, and projective geometry, with many designed in collaboration with institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Arkansas. Temporary exhibitions have featured themes such as the mathematics of Leonardo da Vinci and the art of M.C. Escher.

Educational programs

A wide range of structured programs serves students, teachers, and families. The museum runs **Math Midway** outreach exhibits that have traveled to venues like the Liberty Science Center and the California Science Center. Weekly activities include **Family Fridays** and **Math Encounters** lecture series featuring mathematicians from institutions such as Princeton University and New York University. For schools, it offers field trips aligned with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, along with professional development workshops for educators. The museum also hosts annual events like the **MoMath Masters** tournament and summer camps.

Architecture and location

The museum occupies 19,000 square feet on the ground floor and lower level of a commercial building at 11 East 26th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. The interior design, by **Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership**, emphasizes open, flexible spaces with natural light. A central feature is the **Dynamic Wall**, a kinetic sculpture comprising rotating rods that form complex geometric patterns. The location in the Flatiron District places it near other cultural landmarks like the Museum of Sex and the Museum of the Dog, and it is easily accessible via the New York City Subway's 28th Street station.

Governance and funding

The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of trustees. Early and sustained funding has come from private foundations, including the Simons Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Corporate sponsors have included Google, Two Sigma, and MathWorks. The operating model relies on a mix of admission fees, membership programs, facility rentals, and grants. Leadership includes Executive Director **Cindy Lawrence** and Co-Founder **Glen Whitney**, who serve alongside an advisory council of mathematicians and educators from institutions like Harvard University and the American Mathematical Society.

Recognition and impact

Since its opening, the museum has received positive recognition from media outlets such as *The New York Times*, *The Wall Street Journal*, and *Forbes*. It was awarded the **2013 MUSE Award** for Interactive Kiosks by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum significantly influences public engagement with mathematics, attracting over 150,000 visitors annually from all fifty U.S. states and numerous countries. Its research on exhibit effectiveness is presented at conferences for organizations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The museum's outreach initiatives, including its traveling exhibits, have extended its impact beyond New York City to an international audience.

Category:Museums in Manhattan Category:Mathematics museums Category:Science museums in New York City Category:Organizations established in 2012