Museum of the City of New York

History and architecture

The use of the Late Georgian Style of architecture for the Museum of the City of New York was appropriate for this structure. Dignified in appearance, symmetrical in plan, the five-story red brick building with white marble trim, has a feeling of restrained elegance and formality well expressed in the limited, yet careful, use of decorative elements and in the fine choice of details incorporated in the scheme. With his design, the architect Joseph H. Freedlander, won the competition for this building.

From the street, an approach of gracious steps leads to a short entrance walk, which divides a landscaped forecourt, contained behind a handsome balustrade. To the right and left of the courtyard two projecting wings extend to the building line and rest on low, rusticated basement walls. Adjacent to these wings, on the courtyard side, are two attractive arched loggias.

The Museum opened in 1923 in the old Gracie Mansion on the East River. Funds for construction of the present building were raised by private subscription. Income for maintenance is derived from four sources; City appropriations, endowments, admission fees and contributions. To quote the Museum's President, "New York is a City without a past."

In the rooms and galleries of its handsome interiors, the Museum belies this statement to some extent by illustrating the history and life of the City with permanent and special exhibitions. Ship models, dioramas of unfamiliar scenes, miniatures, vehicles, fire engines, photographs, rare books and manuscripts are among the choice collections to be found in the Museum. Two complete rooms, from the City residence of the late John D. Rockefeller, give the viewer a glimpse of the opulent taste of the Victorian era.