Photographing Fragments of New York City’s Past
Archaeological collections preserve a rich record of places and objects. In New York City, the recently opened Archaeological Repository holds a labyrinthine collection of more than 350,000 objects, including material … Continue reading
Using the Museum’s Collections to Teach Photography
The Photography Collection at the Museum of the City of New York is an incredible resource for anyone interested in photography, architecture, social history, New York City, and any number … Continue reading
Alice in Wonderland: La Gallienne’s Living Pictures
Actress, producer, and director Eva Le Gallienne built a reputation for taking classic works of literature and bringing them to life in the theater. In her 1932 production of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures … Continue reading
Chantecler, a Barnyard Fantasy
While digitizing the vast collection of over 30,000 photographs that make up the theatre production files at the Museum of the City of New York, a project generously funded by the Institute … Continue reading
It’s a Hard Knock Life: The City as Playground
The image of a group of kids shooting craps in the street has for decades been a quintessential scene of growing up in New York. The history of street games … Continue reading
The Mysterious Little Egypt of Coney Island
“There’s a place in France where the naked ladies dance…” Although many know this tune (there are surely hundreds of regional interpretations), few know of its origin and its importance … Continue reading
The Photographer’s Mirror
Like a patient waiting for a miracle cure, New York City embraced the arrival of photography as the perfect elixir. It was the missing ingredient for the modern city, a tool … Continue reading
A Fine Line: The Art of the Clothesline
Living in New York City, one becomes accustomed to the grey area between public and private space. Intimate details are exposed through the most mundane daily tasks. Laundry is one … Continue reading