Museum of American Finance to Open Free Educational Museum at Boston’s Commonwealth Pier
The Museum of American Finance (MoAF), an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is set to open its new exhibit headquarters at Commonwealth Pier in Boston’s Seaport on Friday, July 3. The new 5,400-square-foot museum will provide free admission to visitors, supporting the organization’s mission of making financial education and the history of American finance accessible to people of all backgrounds.
The opening marks an important milestone for the Museum, which aims to create an engaging learning environment where visitors can explore the evolution of money, markets, investing, financial innovation, and personal finance. The new Boston location will bring together historical collections, interactive exhibits, and modern technology to create an immersive educational experience for students, families, tourists, and the broader community.
To develop the new museum experience, MoAF partnered with the renowned design firm G&A Strategy and Design to create advanced exhibits that showcase items from the Museum’s extensive collections. The project also incorporates emerging technologies through a collaboration with the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT), allowing visitors to experience financial history in new and interactive ways.
The museum will open with seven major exhibits highlighting different aspects of American financial history and the future of finance.
“America in Circulation” will feature an interactive currency collection showcasing hundreds of unique and historically significant examples of American money. The exhibit includes pieces from the collection of Mark R. Shenkman and provides visitors with insight into the development and design of U.S. currency.
The “Alexander Hamilton Experience” will bring one of America’s most influential financial figures to life through a multilingual AI-generated version of Alexander Hamilton, developed in partnership with FCAT. The exhibit explores Hamilton’s role in establishing the foundation of the U.S. financial system.
“A Financial Revolution” will focus on the creation of America’s financial institutions and highlight the nation’s financial development as part of the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Visitors can also explore “Investing in U.S. Financial History,” a six-station interactive timeline that traces the growth of American financial markets from the 18th century to the present day. The exhibit allows guests to explore major events, innovations, and changes that shaped the nation’s economy.
“Hub of Innovation” will examine Massachusetts’ important role in financial advancement and innovation. The exhibit is sponsored by MassMutual and highlights the state’s contributions to the evolution of financial services.
“The Future of Finance” will explore emerging technologies shaping the financial world, including blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokenization, and financial technology. Sponsored by Bitwise, the exhibit examines how digital innovation is changing the way people interact with money and markets.
The final inaugural exhibit, “Personal Finance,” will provide a hands-on learning experience focused on financial wellness. Presented by the Personal Finance Institute, the exhibit will introduce visitors to tools and strategies for building and maintaining healthy financial habits.
The exhibits were developed with guidance from leading experts in finance, economics, and numismatic history, including Rahul Arora, Ric Edelman, Mark Higgins, and Richard Sylla. Major support for the museum comes from sponsors including Fidelity Investments, Bitwise, MassMutual, Rosalind E. and Mark R. Shenkman, and founders John E. Herzog and the Rodney S. Klein Stock Market Museum & Library.
“We are thrilled that our opening in Boston coincides with our nation’s 250th anniversary, as our exhibits will give school groups, tourists and the local community an opportunity to view the country’s founding financial documents, many of which have never before been on public display,” said MoAF President David Cowen. “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.”
The museum’s move to Boston follows the announcement in 2025 that MoAF signed a 10-year lease agreement for exhibit space at Commonwealth Pier, a waterfront destination in the Boston Seaport being developed by Pembroke, an international real estate business.
“We are delighted to welcome a free museum with an important educational mission to Commonwealth Pier—improving financial literacy,” said Kristan McLaughlin, Director of Customer Experience and Asset Operations at Pembroke. “The Museum’s focus on American financial history complements Commonwealth Pier’s historic ties to Boston’s maritime and commercial legacy, and its mission furthers our commitment to creating a new waterfront destination designed for exploration and connection.”
The Boston opening represents the first permanent exhibit headquarters for the Museum since it departed its former location at 48 Wall Street in New York City in 2018. Founded in 1989, the Museum has spent nearly four decades developing educational programs and exhibits focused on financial history and literacy.
Throughout its history, MoAF has created interactive exhibits across the country and maintained traveling programs that have introduced its collections to audiences nationwide. Its archives include one of the most significant collections of 18th-century U.S. financial documents, including important letters and materials from Alexander Hamilton that helped establish the foundation of the American financial system.
Beyond museum exhibits, MoAF continues to expand financial education through free virtual and in-person programs. These initiatives currently reach more than 10,000 students and adults each year. With the new Boston location, the Museum plans to develop additional educational programs through partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and institutions.
The opening of the Museum of American Finance at Commonwealth Pier represents a new chapter for financial education, combining historical preservation, interactive technology, and public access to help visitors better understand the financial forces that shaped America and continue to influence the future.
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