A Little of This, A Little of That at the Museum of the City of New York
A little history, a little socializing at the Museum of the City of New York. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
What do the Titanic, 19th-century fashion, the anti-nuclear movement, and the world’s best dollhouse have in common? Nothing—except remnants of all of them live at the Museum of the City of New York. There’s something for kids, for historians, and even for the social set at this museum displaying New York City’s history.
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Plan Your Visit
Pick your exhibitions, then stop at Chalsty’s Café and have a coffee while admiring the museum’s interior. Next, ponder the difference between the Museum of the City of New York’s mission and that of the New-York Historical Society, which has a place just across the park.
A ghostly remnant from the Titanic on display at the Museum of the City of New York. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.
More than One New York City History Museum?
My reading is that the Museum of the City of New York is a little more local; the New-York Historical Society is more expansive in its broader focus on New York State as well as New York City. This could be a bit of museum hair-splitting, though. The New-York Historical City is a bit more pricey; the Museum of the City of New York has a suggested admission.
The interior of the Museum of the City of New York is as interesting as its exhibitions. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
A History of New York City Museum for Everyone
Only New York could have multiple museums about the city of New York. One that I still need to visit is El Museo del Barrio, which is geared toward preserving the art and culture of Caribbean and Latin American people in the United States. El Museo has a suggested admission and offers free admission to the Museum of the City of New York with admission to El Museo del Barrio.
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue at East 103 Street, New York, N.Y. 10029
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, N.Y. 10024
El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue at East 104 Street, New York, N.Y. 10029
—Lori Tripoli
Lori Tripoli is the editor and publisher of Bashful Adventurer. Based in the New York City vicinity, she writes about travel for a variety of publications. Contact Lori at loritripoli@bashfuladventurer.com.
Fashion history: A Maison Worth evening dress circa 1892-1895 on display at the Museum of the City of New York. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini
