Founded in 1804 with the purpose of preserving the heritage and history of the city, the New York Historical Society features a library, bookshop and museum. It showcases antique treasures, paintings from the Hudson River School, watercolours by John James Audubon and various items relating to American culture. The building is also home to the Henry Luce Center for the Study of American Culture, where nearly 40 000 pieces of all sorts are shown in huge display cases.