Its like a non-state-operated arts and culture version of the New York State Museum in Albany. This museum charges an admission fee, but shows you what you actually want to see. Instead of talking about boring rocks and ancient plants, there are pods with episodes of New York history such as slavery, 9/11, and Dutch furniture. There is even an annotated picture gallery of the Civil War when it ripped through the state.
Paintings depicting the scenes of New York City between 1850 and 1950 show incredible growth, but also that the cityscape had mostly been preserved in aspic since the mid 20th century. On this trip, I stayed at the Art Deco-style New Yorker Hotel. There’s a brief gallery along the corridor adjacent to where the paintings are, it’s a hidden gem on the life of journalist Robert Caro who reported extensively on LBJ’s presidency.
There’s more journalism on the ground floor with a Time and Life magazine exhibit along the washroom corridor. This museum seriously needs more space. Back at the entrance, I’d say the highlight museum is seeing the legendary 1833 clock that used to grace the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria.
“I’ll meet you at the clock.”
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