May 2012

Rebranding New-York Historical Society's Visual Program for Annual Fundraising Gala

Founded in 1804, the New-York Historical Society serves as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history by exploring the political, cultural, and social history of New York City, New York State, and the nation.

Comprised of the oldest museum in New York City, as well as one of the most distinguished libraries in the United States, the New-York Historical Society is the city's destination for dynamic, cutting edge exhibitions; the nation's first-ever children's history museum; and an educational and provocative roster of public programs. Recent renovations include new galleries and exhibition spaces, the Henry Luce III Center for the Study of American Culture, a state-of-the-art library reading room, and a new lower-level facility open to the public housing the letters and manuscripts of the Gilder Lehrman Collection. A 3-year, $70 million renovation of its landmark building located on Central Park West, completed in November 2011, further enhances the institution's status as one of America's pre-eminent cultural institutions.

Weekend with History is the New-York Historical Society's annual fundraising gala event which features special guests that have included authors Simon Schama and Ron Chernow, filmmaker Ric Burns, and historian Jay Winik, among others. Each year, the weekend-long event is organized around thematic topics relevant to New York history, social issues, government policy, arts, and culture.

Poulin + Morris was commissioned to assist the Chairman's Council of the New-York Historical Society with the development of a new branding and visual communications program for the annual gala. In addition to a new logotype designed to reflect Weekend with History's unique perspective on its inquiry and investigation of a broad range of historical topics, the designers were also responsible for stationery and promotional print material that included invitations, save-the-date cards, note cards, and programs.