Spring - Summer 2007 Programs

EXHIBITIONS

May 8 – September 3, 2007
PAPER PASSAGES: COLLAGES BY CHRIS PELLETIERE
New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights

A new series of collages by Brooklyn-born artist Chris Pelletiere depicts New Yorkers on the move.

Through July 8, 2007
ARCHITECTS OF THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY
PART I: HEINS & LAFARGE AND THE TRADITION OF GREAT PUBLIC WORKS
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central Terminal

Beginning in 1901, consulting architects Heins & LaFarge designed the subway’s earliest stations and buildings in the popular Beaux-Arts style, according to the vision of the system’s chief engineer, William Barclay Parsons. Incorporating design elements from other prominent New York City commissions, Heins & LaFarge achieved the mandate to bring beauty to New York’s first subway. Using original architectural drawings, objects from stations, and archival images, this exhibit explores the work of architects and engineers who designed the subway we travel through today.

July 30 – October 28, 2007
ARCHITECTS OF THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY
PART II: SQUIRE VICKERS AND THE SUBWAY'S MODERN AGE
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central Terminal

Between 1906 and 1940, Squire J. Vickers and his team of architects designed more than 300 subway stations for the Dual Contracts and the IND.  An accomplished painter, Vickers’ subway work reflects his changing aesthetic, moving seamlessly from Arts and Craft to the Machine Age style. Continuing the series from Part I, the exhibit contains additional drawings, paintings, objects, and archival photos from the Museum’s and other collections to show how Squire Vickers integrated a more contemporary style into subway stations and structures.

Through September 16, 2007
TOOT, TOOT, BEEP, BEEP: TOYS THAT MOVE
New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights

From a 19th century tin replica of the City Hall Trolley to Fisher Price’s classic 1973 airport this exhibition, developed by the New York Transit Museum in collaboration with the Doll and Toy Museum, shows the evolution of transportation as reflected in toys over the last 100 years.

Through 2007
GUEST CARS
New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights

Each season, the Transit Museum displays a “guest” car, highlighting vintage and current vehicles that aren’t normally included in our permanent exhibit.  This summer a pair of cars from one of the last Money Trains will be on display in the Transit Museum. These cars ran throughout the system at night collecting revenue from stations and delivering it to the “Money Room” formerly at Jay Street in Brooklyn.  As a preview for “Show Me the Money,” a new exhibit opening this fall about NYC Transit’s legendary Money Room and Money Train operations (which ended in January 2006), Revenue Cars 0R 714 and IR 714 will be on view.  These two workhorses were originally R-22 passenger cars 7194 and 7422, built in 1957-58. They were converted in 1988—as a collection car and a crew car—repainted in typical work train “safety” yellow and black, and operated in revenue-collection service through their final trips.

Through 2008
THE TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE: ROBERT MOSES AND THE AUTOMOBILE AGE
New York Transit Museum, Brooklyn Heights

Examining the legacy of Robert Moses, this exhibition focuses on the Triborough Bridge and how it was designed to connect three boroughs and accommodate New York’s burgeoning auto traffic. Photographs, architectural drawings, models, artifacts, and original film footage tell the story of the bridge, which opened in 1936 as the first of the city’s major bridges specifically designed for the automobile age.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, May 26             11 a.m.
PARADE THROUGH ROCKAWAY
A festive parade kicks off the National Park Service's summer-long 75th Anniversary celebration of Jacob Riis Park! You'll enjoy musical entertainment, antique cars, and performers dressed to impress, who'll share the spotlight with the Museum's beloved “Jackie Gleason” bus. Park service sponsored events will continue into the summer with special concerts, historic exhibits, and a beachside swim suit competition for those who dare!

NOSTALGIA TRAIN RIDES
Reservations and advanced payment required: 718-694-1867. $30, Museum members $25, children 3-17 $10 (Become a Museum member when you reserve and save $5 on your adult ticket!)

This year the Transit Museum's vintage cars will be rolling again for nostalgic train rides to favorite destinations throughout the city! Our program this year focuses on the vintage R1/9 car fleet and highlights the 75th anniversary of the opening of the first section of the IND subway on September 10, 1932.

Sunday, July 22         2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
SUMMER CELEBRATION AT ROCKAWAY PARK
Ride our vintage R 1/9 trains to Rockaway Park for a big band dance party celebrating the 70th birthday of the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and the 75th Anniversary of Jacob Riis Park! When you get there, get your Lindy hopping to some summertime swing, stay onboard for bonus rides, enjoy the beach on a ranger-guided sunset tour, or simply soak up the surf and picnic by twilight.

Sunday, August 12               10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CONEY ISLAND CAPER
Spend a summer day enjoying Coney Island's best! Take a guided tour through Stillwell Avenue Terminal and learn how solar power lights and cools the station. Stroll to the beach for a bite on the boardwalk, or amuse yourself with a sideshow, street show, or bonus train rides!

Saturday, Sept 8       10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
IND ANNIVERSARY SEPTEMBER SPECIAL: A DAY ON THE A
Highlighting the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the first section of the IND, vintage R 1/9 trains will travel from mid-town to the Transit Museum’s very own Court Street station. After a brief layover we’ll re-board and head out to enjoy the sun and surf at Rockaway Park. Then, we'll go the distance along the remainder of the longest route in the system, closing the day boroughs away at 207th Street in upper Manhattan.

TOURS

Saturday, May 12            Noon – 1 p.m. and 2 – 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 16
THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN: OLD CITY HALL STATION 
Special Fundraiser “members only” tours of the original IRT City Hall Station. Become a member of the Museum and join the tours. Valid current membership, reservations, and advanced payment required. Capacity is limited so book early: 718-694-1867. $20 adults; $10 children. 

Travel back in time to the early days of the subway! The starting point of New York City's new IRT subway was Heins & LaFarge’s showpiece, with chandeliers, leaded skylights, a vaulted Guastavino ceiling, and decorative tile work. Opened in 1904, the station exemplified the spirit of the City Beautiful Movement.

BRIDGE TOURS
These three tours have been organized to complement the Museum's current exhibition, The Triborough Bridge: Robert Moses and the Automobile Age. Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15

Wednesday, May 30                  6 – 8:30 p.m.
BRIDGING LONG ISLAND CITY: SUNSET IN RAVENSWOOD/HUNTERS POINT
The waterfront of Long Island City, Queens has experienced many waves of redevelopment due to its special transportation advantages. First the locale of unregulated heavy industry, it later became the home of large consumer-oriented manufacturing after LIC was annexed to New York City. With urban geographer Jack Eichenbaum, we'll walk where commercial, residential, industrial and artistic entities now compete for space, nosh and rest in the new Gantry Park, and then cross the Pulaski Bridge to Greenpoint, Brooklyn at sunset.

Sunday, July 8                            10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
BRIDGE WALK I: THE RANDALL'S ISLAND CONNECTION
Randall's Island, formerly known as Minnahanonck, is located in the East River between northern Manhattan and Queens, and at one time its distance made it the seemingly ideal spot to banish some of the poor and the needy. It’s been host to farmers, soldiers, quarantined folks, burial grounds, a poorhouse, a House of Refuge for the young and misguided, asylums, and even Civil War veterans. New York State moved in to take over in the 1930s, and so began the island's transformation. With the opening of the Triborough Bridge, the public attained easy access to the wetland, which had been filled and reshaped to connect the Bronx and Manhattan portions of the bridge. Robert Moses' Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority was also headquartered there. Join urban geographer Jack Eichenbaum for a walking tour and take a look at the island's unfamiliar perspectives of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. The tour will ramble from East Harlem to Randall’s Island, exploring the areas beneath the Triborough and Hell Gate Bridge viaducts and the pedestrian viaduct to the South Bronx.

Saturday, July 28                         10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
BRIDGE WALK II: BUCOLIC WARD'S ISLAND
Shortly after taking office as Parks Commissioner in 1934, Robert Moses announced his plans for developing Ward’s Island—and the Triborough Bridge's construction forever altered its landscape. Ward's Island, another wetland, was joined to Randall's Island and supports the Queens portion of the bridge. Renovation has restored a part of the channel that once existed between the two islands, and an East River shoreline walkway has been constructed. The island is connected to East Harlem by a footbridge. We'll journey with urban geographer Jack Eichenbaum to the southern end of Ward's Island for fabulous views of the East River between Queens and Manhattan, strolling under the Triborough and Hell Gate Bridge viaducts and returning to Harlem on the Ward's Island bus. A Metrocard is required for this tour.

SUBWAY ARCHITECTURE TOURS
This series of special tours explores the work of George Lewis Heins, Christopher Grant LaFarge, and Squire Vickers, prominent architects who determined the aesthetics of the New York City subway.

Saturday, June 2             12:30 – 3 p.m.
HEINS & LAFARGE AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE and Morningside Heights
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15.

Offered in cooperation with the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, this tour of sections of the cathedral illustrate the Byzantine-Romanesque character of Heins & LaFarge designs. A neighborhood walk to explore several local sites of architectural interest will follow. Tom Fedorek of the cathedral and architectural historian Matthew Postal will lead this program.

Wednesday, June 13             5 – 7 p.m.
HEINS & LAFARGE AT THE ZOO: ART & ARCHITECTURE IN ASTOR COURT
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15

Heins & LaFarge designed the original buildings and layout of the Bronx Zoo. Their design called for a small complex around what is now known as Astor Court, set in the center of a sweep of open ranges for animals. Architectural historian Matthew Postal and zoo staff will give us a close-up look at the grand designs depicted in the cornices, ceilings, and roofs of the various buildings, and talk about the revitalization of the historic center campus currently underway. Don't miss this rare and exceptional opportunity!
 

Wednesday, August 15             6 – 8 p.m.
SUBWAY STYLE: THE DESIGNS OF SQUIRE VICKERS
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15

Over three decades, Squire J. Vickers oversaw the design of hundreds of subway stations in four boroughs. The graceful brickwork, ornamental ceramics, and striking metalwork and lighting fixtures in these stations far surpassed the practical elements needed to orient and inform riders. Visiting stations and transit structures throughout Brooklyn, we'll examine the evolution of Vickers' architectural style with Carissa Amash, Transit Museum Curator.

OTHER TOURS

Sunday, June 10             Noon – 4 p.m.
WESTSIDE STORIES: ONWARDS & UPWARDS
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15

Transit historian Joe Cunningham will discuss some of the people, such as civil engineer Charles Harvey, who tried 140 years ago to run cable-powered elevated cars, crossing over areas that later became part of the Ninth Avenue el along Greenwich Street, and the neighborhoods that grew up beside the elevated rail routes. By 1891, elevated service had extended north of 116th Street, changing the shape and nature of local architecture—buildings bent to mirror track layouts and there was even a "Suicide Curve" that turned sharply at 110th Street, 100 feet above street level. As elevated service climbed steadily northward, others were on close watch; St. Luke's Hospital, Columbia University, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine were spurred to coordinate their efforts in serving residents' "body, mind and spirit."

Saturday, June 30                              11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, August 18                        11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
THE F TO THE D: A BROOKLYN DIGEST
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $45; Museum members $40

New York's rapid transit system was created to get us to the best places to eat, according to Todd "Grubster" Coleman. These two eating tours will surely leave you hungry for more. Promising systematic snacking that's sure to please: we'll nosh at Macdonald Avenue, a burgeoning Bangladeshi enclave, on samples of crunchy singhara and the mysterious keski mas; chomp into a luscious Italian hot roast beef and mozzarella sandwich, doused with gravy; weave through Mexican butcher shops in search of guajillo and puya chile-laced fresh chorizo sausage; delve into sweet-and-sour Sicilian caponata; and wander through the luckiest Chinatown in Brooklyn, among other stops on his secret succulent subway map. Wear your most comfortable shoes, and loose clothing, as there will be a good amount of walking and eating!

Sunday, August 5                    Noon - 4 p.m.
EXPLORING THE BRIGHTON & FRANKLIN LINES FROM PAST TO PRESENT
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $20; Museum members $15

We're heading to the beach with subway historian Joe Cunningham via the former BMT Brighton and Franklin lines, at one time the most popular line to Coney Island. Opened as the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railroad in 1878, the line delivered farmers and sunbathers right to the lobby of the Victorian resort hotel at Brighton Beach. We'll also enjoy a special visit to the turn-of-the-century Prospect Park substation with Superintendent Robert Lobenstein, where critical decisions were made that contributed to the shocking death toll from the tragic Malbone Street derailment almost 90 years ago.

EXCURSIONS

Saturday, May 19                      11 a.m. –2 p.m.
CORONA MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $25; Museum members $20

Back by popular demand! We'll head east to MTA New York City Transit’s eco-friendly 135,000 square foot Corona subway maintenance shop. Visit the remodeled railcar maintenance building where 400+ cars that commute between Queens and midtown are serviced. Led by Deputy Superintendents Parmanand Beharry and Ray Delvalle, we’ll learn about new equipment and procedures in place that ensure that the facility is capable of servicing newer trains. Participants are welcome to bring lunch and eat onsite.

Saturday, July 14                      7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
THE HISTORY & HOME OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Reservations and advance payment required: 718-694-1867. $30; Museum members $25

Restoration is underway at Roosevelt's home-town train station in Oyster Bay, Long Island, an 1889 building that will one day be the new home of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum. Our day begins with tours of Sagamore Hill and the Theodore Roosevelt Museum, followed by a lunch break on our own in scenic Oyster Bay. Railroad historian Dave Morrison will present a slide show about "Teddy Roosevelt's Love of Trains" and lead a walking tour of the new museum's train yard, including steam locomotive #35, a restored turntable, and wooden caboose #12. Wear light clothing—this historic site is not air-conditioned.

LECTURES & READINGS

These programs are held at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights and offered free with paid museum admission.

Wednesday, June 20            6 p.m.
MOSES MAKES MOVIES: “METROPOLIS IN MOTION”

“Metropolis in Motion,” a remarkable look at the city and its transportation systems in 1958, and “Here To There,” featuring swirling 1960’s camera work to promote the construction of highways are two short films produced by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority when Robert Moses was it’s Chairman. Laura Rosen, Administrator of the MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archive, will provide background on the films.

SUBWAY CINEMA SERIES
The New York City subway has played a starring role in many films through the decades. Join us for these summer screenings of classic films that will surely provide a cool and refreshing way to ride through history!

Tickets are free with paid museum admission and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon on the day of the program only. A maximum of four tickets will be available per person.

Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22                    1:30 p.m.
Speedy (1928) Not Rated
Baseball-crazy cabbie Harold Lloyd meets passenger Babe Ruth (playing himself) en route to old Yankee Stadium. Lloyd races the last horse-drawn trolley right through the Washington Square Arch! 87 minutes.

Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19  1:30 p.m.
On The Town (1949) Not Rated
The classic musical On The Town, shot on location in New York City, was one of the first films to depict the New York City subway in living color. Gene Kelly stars alongside Frank Sinatra as a love struck sailor on leave in the Big Apple who falls head over heels for "Miss Turnstiles," a "typical rider" whose picture appears in many different poses on advertising placards. 98 minutes.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS

ONGOING

Every Thursday of the month
PRESCHOOL TIME
Join us as we bring the Museum to life with transportation stories and a special tour for our youngest transit fans. All aboard! Suggested for ages 2-5.

Program highlights include:

Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6
POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY
In celebration of New York City’s fifth annual Poem in Your Pocket program, we’ll craft poems inspired by your travels aboard the city’s subways and buses. Suggested for ages 7+.

Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13
BRIDGE CITY: TRUSS BRIDGES
We’ll demonstrate the importance of the triangle shape in the construction of bridges and build our own simple truss bridges. Suggested for ages 5+.

Saturday, May 19,                   ongoing from noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 20,                      ongoing from noon to 3 p.m.
TRAINS THAT MOVE
We’re creating a fun room filled with model trains that really go! Learn to operate a G-scale model train with rail operator, yardman, and model railroader Robert Tarr of Trains at Your Place. Mr. Tarr will demonstrate his moveable trains and teach you to couple and uncouple trains and operate the throttle. Suggested for ages 5+.

Saturdays and Sunday, May 19 & 20    2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
HANDS-ON HISTORY
Stop by the Hands-On History cart on the station platform to take a close look at controls, machine parts and various tools of trains past and present. Through demonstration and discussion, Museum Interpreters will help you to explore special items from the Museum's collection. Suggested for all ages.

Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27
TRANSIT MUSEUM TOY FACTORY
Using toys and models on display in our Toot, Toot, Beep, Beep: Toys That Move exhibit as our inspiration, we’ll build vehicles with spinning wheels and fun parts to make our own toys that move. Suggested for ages 4+
 
Saturday, May 26         2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
TRANSIT MUSEUM PHOTOSTORIES
Tell your own transportation story using PhotoStory software, digital photography, and your personal tales of travel in the city. We’ll work together in the Museum’s exhibits and Technology Lab to produce a fun, digital slideshow project to take home on a data disc. Suggested for ages 7+. Space is limited. Advance registration by phone is recommended.

JUNE

Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3
CREATE A CITY
We’ll design an urban landscape of our own and create a city with streets, buildings, subways and buses! Suggested for ages 4+.

Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10
PAPER PASSAGES
We’ll begin by exploring the collages and prints of transportation scenes in the Museum’s newest exhibit PAPER PASSAGES: Collages by Chris Pelletiere. Then, following Mr. Pelletiere’s technique, we’ll take photographs in the Museum and transform them into our own transit collages. Suggested for ages 5+.

Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17
PANORAMIC CERAMICS
The century-old ceramic work of Heins & LaFarge can still be seen in the subways and around the city. We'll find out where we can discover these treasures and use colorful plaster to create mosaics that feature symbols and patterns of our own design. Suggested for ages 5+.

Saturday, June 16                    2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
TRANSIT MUSEUM PHOTOSTORIES
Tell your own transportation story using PhotoStory software, digital photography, and your personal tales of travel in the city. We’ll work together in the Museum’s exhibits and Technology Lab to produce a fun, digital slideshow project to take home on a data disc. Suggested for ages 7+. Space is limited. Advance registration by phone is recommended.

Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24
MILES OF TILES
Discover the intricate art of mosaic making used to beautify our subway stations as you create unique patterns and designs with glass tile. Suggested for ages 4+.

Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1
ALPHABET CITY
We’ll read New York-themed alphabet books and then create bold and colorful letter plaques that celebrate our favorite New York City places, from Avenue A to the Tappan Zee. Suggested for ages 4+.

Saturday and Sunday June 30 & July 1            2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
HANDS-ON HISTORY
Stop by the Hands-On History cart on the station platform to take a close look at controls, machine parts and various tools of trains past and present. Through demonstration and discussion, Museum Interpreters will help you to explore special items from the Museum's collection. Suggested for all ages.

JULY

Saturday and Sunday, July 28 & 29
SISTER CITY: LONDON
Did you know that our city is part of a large family—ten sisters in all? London, England became a Sister City to New York City in 2001 to help our cities learn more about one another. Join us as we highlight New York's relation to the oldest subway in the world, London's "Tube," and create unique transit postcards to share with our friends across the pond! Suggested for ages 5+.

AUGUST

Saturday and Sunday, August 18 & 19
TRANSIT COLLAGES
Chris Pelletiere's collages use vibrant colors, shapes, and texture to depict New Yorkers on the move. We'll visit his exhibition and then create vivid transit scenes of our own. Suggested for ages 5+.