MOCA Workshop, the name of MOCA’s new Collections and Research Center at 3 Howard Street, is the home base for MOCA’s fire recovery and conservation work. On January 23, 2020, a fire destroyed the iconic building at 70 Mulberry Street in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown. The building was home to MOCA’s Collections and Research Center, where the entirety of the 85,000+ objects comprising our archives were stored. Fortunately, the fire never reached our archives but the thousands of gallons of water needed to put out the flames did. Initially, we feared that everything was lost but with the guidance, support, and aid of several New York City agencies and over 400 volunteers, MOCA was able to recover 95% of our archives. However, we estimate that over 73% of the collections will need restoration. The materials, which have been professionally dried, are now housed and being cared for at the MOCA Workshop.
Click on the icons below to learn more about MOCA’s fire recovery and conservation work.