Museum of the Month,  New York,  United States

October Museum of the Month: Museum of the City of New York

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Yikes it is December already! Where does the time go!? Let’s backtrack to two months ago for the museum of the month. October’s pick is the Museum of the City of New York located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I will start by coming clean that not only am I late to post, but I didn’t actually visit the museum this October either, BUT I did visit this museum one October, in 2014 to be precise. Yes, I actually remember those details!

Museum of the City of New York

I have been back several times since then because it is one of my favorite museums in New York City. The museum is all about the history of NYC, aka my favorite city, so it makes sense that it is one of my favorite museums anywhere.

Here’s what I love about it and why you should visit.

Ongoing Exhibits

Manhattan Bridge
Manhattan Bridge

The museum is one of the best places in the city to learn about how the city came to be. In one of the main exhibits, “NY at its Core” you can learn how NYC transformed from a Dutch village to the mecca it is today. Through objects, stories and digital media you learn about the people that influenced the city. There is also a documentary that gives a narrated history of the city. I would start off your visit with one of these exhibits, especially if it is your first time to the city or your first visit to the museum.

Activist New York, is another ongoing exhibit, that I found very interesting. It shows the hardships and battles that New Yorkers have fought throughout history. While there are so many stories of struggle shared in the exhibit, there is also a sense of hope and community between fellow residents of the city.

Past Exhibits

Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery
Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery

The museum has such a large collection, that everything can not be shown at once. Like many museums they rotate their large collection of paintings, photographs, costumes, furniture and more.

One of my favorite collections from the museum is the theater collection, which contains memorabilia from theater life in 1785 through current day Broadway. When I saw the collection exhibited it focused on the Yiddish theater and immigrant culture.

The museum also has a huge print and photography collection that it exhibits in different ways from time to time. I still remember being captivated by the images the first time I visited. 

Current Exhibits

Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge

Until June 2019 there is an exhibit on Corduroy! You know, that children’s book bear with the green overalls! A great exhibit for anyone who wants to go down memory lane or who would like to learn a bit more about the author and his other New York work.

Through April 2019 you can learn about the grittier side of the city in the “Germ City: Microbes and the Metropolis” exhibit. This one doesn’t interest me quite as much, but I do know firsthand about the gigantic mounds of trash on the city streets, so it might be a relevant topic!

The exhibit “Rebel Women” caught my eye. This exhibit is dedicated to the many unknown 19th century women in New York that went against the norms of the times. It’s only around until January 2019, so see it when you can!

Future Exhibits

Central Park
Central Park

Starting in January 2019 you can learn about Jackie Robinson, one of Brooklyn’s most famous baseball players. The exhibit is expected to show rare artifacts and images for the first time.

If baseball doesn’t interest you, how about cycling? In March 2019 you can discover the relationship and role of the bicycle over the years within the city. I know I heard my fair of debates between motorists and cyclists on the streets!   

With ongoing exhibits the museum always provides an in-depth look into the history of the city. On the other hand the rotation of collections and visiting exhibits always provides something new to check out. The variety of topics on display are sure to interest a diverse range of visitors.

Check the website for more of the current and future exhibits.

Visiting Information

Where

1220 5th Ave & 103rd Street, New York, NY 10029 (Upper East Side of Manhattan)

How to get there

By subway you can take the 2 or 3 from lower Manhattan/Midtown to 110 Street Station Central Park North and then walk about 12 minutes to the museum.

From the east side of Manhattan you can take the 6 train to 103rd street and then walk about 9 minutes.

Tickets

Suggested admission of $18, but there are various discounts and promotions. Check the fine print of the ticket page

Food

There is a cafe within the museum that has yummy bread and pastries from Amy’s Bread. You could also eat in Harlem before or after visiting the museum. Amy Ruth’s is an 18 minute walk from the museum and a great place for chicken and waffles.

Where to Stay

If you are looking for somewhere to stay near the museum and the northern end of Central Park check out these options.

More About NYC

BOOKS

BROADWAY

CHRISTMAS

ITINERARIES

LIFE IN NYC

MUSEUMS

TOURS

WHERE TO STAY

Check out my Museum of the Month page to see all my museum reviews!


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