Museum of American Finance Announces Plans for New Exhibit Headquarters at Boston’s Commonwealth Pier

Public opening of free exhibits and educational programs scheduled for summer 2026

The Museum of American Finance, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, announced it has signed a 10-year lease for exhibit space in Boston. Planning is now underway to develop and create the Museum’s exhibits at Commonwealth Pier, the waterfront destination in Boston’s Seaport being developed by Pembroke, the international real estate business. With a dynamic mix of new restaurants and shopping, a new waterfront plaza, an enhanced Harborwalk and year-round programming, Commonwealth Pier will be a vibrant waterfront destination for all.

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Rendering of the exterior of the Museum of American Finance’s new home at Commonwealth Pier in the Boston Seaport, scheduled to open in July 2026. Credit: Pembroke

The Museum will occupy approximately 5,400 sq ft, and exhibits are scheduled to open to the public on July 1, 2026. Entrance to all of the Museum’s exhibits and programs in Boston will be free of charge—reflecting its core mission of making financial education accessible to all.

The Museum’s opening in Boston marks the first time it will have a permanent exhibit headquarters since it left its former home at 48 Wall Street in New York City in 2018, following a flood that badly damaged its facility but left its world-class collections unharmed. Founded in 1989, the Museum has a 35-year track record of creating engaging, state-of-the-art exhibits in New York and around the country, with traveling exhibits and temporary installations bringing its collections to national audiences since the closing of its Wall Street space. Its rich archive spans the entirety of American finance and houses one of the nation’s most important collections of 18th century US financial documents, including multiple letters and documents from Alexander Hamilton that established the basis for our financial system.

The Museum will work with the renowned firm Gallagher & Associates to create world-class exhibits that draw from the Museum’s collections—while integrating the latest technologies in a partnership with the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT).

“Visitors will leave our Museum with a greater understanding and appreciation for our nation’s financial history—much of it centered in the Boston Harbor area—as well as knowledge that will help them better their own financial lives,” said MoAF President/CEO David Cowen. “We are thrilled for our exhibits to be based in Boston and will ensure that Commonwealth Pier becomes a destination for school groups, the community and tourists.”

The Museum’s events and educational initiatives—offered for free in both virtual and in-person formats—currently reach more than 10,000 students and adults annually. The Museum will add Boston-based programs via partnerships with Boston area community organizations and educational institutions to supplement its existing programming.

“We are delighted to have a museum with such an important educational mission join Commonwealth Pier. In recent years, there’s been a spotlight on the urgent need to support people of all ages improve their financial literacy. We’re thrilled the Museum will be offering free admission and programming,” said Kristan McLaughlin, Director of Asset Management at Pembroke. “The revitalization of Commonwealth Pier celebrates its meaningful history, as well as our present and future. How appropriate to have the Museum of American Finance as part of our community—a literal treasure chest of historic artifacts that bridges to the future through education and its use of technology.”

Pembroke’s vision for Commonwealth Pier is to create a vibrant, multi-use waterfront destination that inspires exploration and connection to Boston Harbor, the neighborhood, history, art and innovation. In addition to the Museum, there will be new restaurants and shops, a public waterfront plaza and an enhanced Harborwalk, all of which will foster community and be activated with year-round programming. Anchored by Commonwealth Pier, the campus also includes the office towers Seaport East and West, the Seaport Hotel, Eastport Park and public art.

For more information on this project, visit www.moaf.org/Boston.

About the Museum of American Finance

The Museum of American Finance, a chartered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, seeks to improve understanding of the influence of financial institutions and capital markets on the US and global economies, and on individuals’ lives. The Museum is dedicated to educating the public on finance and financial history through exhibits, financial literacy programs and public events. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum seeks to empower individuals of all backgrounds to strive toward financial independence, while encouraging curiosity and discovery. For more information, visit www.moaf.org or connect with the Museum on social media @FinanceMuseum.

About Pembroke

We’re an international real estate advisor that acquires, develops and manages properties and places—specializing in mixed-use, residential and office environments in the world’s leading cities.

Facilitating the private capital of our investors, we take a long-term approach to real estate, investing in global cities with proven long-term growth potential.

We have offices in Boston, Hamburg, London, Munich, San Francisco, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and Washington, DC and manage more than 9.4m sq ft / 876,000 sq m in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. By combining a global point of view with local expertise, we’re able to create and manage world-class properties that deliver the best outcomes for our tenants, investors and the communities in which we work. Please visit Pembroke.com to learn more about us and connect with us on LinkedIn.

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