Streetscapes

Show stories by:
All Topics Behind-the-Scenes City Artifacts City Arts Landmarks Movements and Causes Notable New Yorkers Urban Tastes
Window displays of Simpson Crawford Co. department store featuring Arnold Wash fabrics.
Streetscapes Friday, December 13, 2019

The Origins of Window Shopping in New York City

The time-honored tradition of window shopping truly comes alive during the holiday season, when retailers pull out all of the stops to make their window displays ever more eye-catching, festive and uplifting. But where, and when, did window shopping become a part of consumer behavior?
The girls ran a mini marathon, not the New York City Marathon, but remember to cheer for this year’s Marathon runners!
City Arts Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Marathon Miranda

Many classic children’s (and adult) books prominently feature New York City. In the coming months, we will be looking at a few of these titles. As we immerse ourselves in the lives of these characters and their fictional urban life, we’ll explore items from our collections, taking a virtual walk through the actual city streets. Today, we focus on Marathon Miranda.
Brochure cover for "Sunday Walking Tours" at the Museum, written in blue letters. An image below features men and women in 19th century dress.
Streetscapes Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Sunday Walking Tours

Did you know? The Museum used to provide public walking tours around NYC. Organized geographically, and sometimes thematically, these tours were one of our many Public Programs for more than a decade. Follow along with us as we dive into our institution's history.
: Black and white print of employees and customers at a soda fountain.
Streetscapes Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Harriet the Spy

Many classic children’s (and adult) books prominently feature New York City. In the coming months, we will be looking at a few of these titles. As we immerse ourselves in the lives of these characters and their fictional urban life, we’ll explore items from our collections, taking a virtual walk through the actual city streets. Today we start with one of the great ones, Harriet the Spy.    
Florence Ripley Mastin sitting on a porch with two dogs in her lap.
Streetscapes Tuesday, August 13, 2019

John Vachon for Look Magazine: The Brooklyn Nobody Knows

Look assigned Vachon to the story “Brooklyn Nobody Knows” on September 21, 1948; it was published in the January 18, 1949 issue. By focusing on cultural institutions and figures, nightlife, historic landmarks, and civil engineering projects, Vachon’s photographs presented Brooklyn as on par with its more popularly represented neighbor, Manhattan.
An older woman looks at the camera while surrounded by wax heads she created
City Arts Monday, May 6, 2019

Another Side to Coney Island: Hattie Mckeever and Her Waxworks

The museum’s LOOK Magazine collection is full of fascinating photographs of midcentury New York and the people who lived and spent time in it. Some were well-known at the time and remain household names; others were living quieter lives, although often no less interesting.
A colorful street art in East Harlem which has been home to the Museum of the City of New York since 1932. Find out what makes this neighborhood so special. 
Landmarks Friday, March 29, 2019

Our East Harlem Home

East Harlem has been home to the Museum of the City of New York since 1932. Find out what makes this neighborhood so special. 
Landmarks Wednesday, February 27, 2019

History of 1220 Fifth Avenue

The Museum has called 1220 Fifth Avenue home since 1932, but our first home was at Gracie Mansion where the mayor of NYC resides today. Learn about the fascinating history of our beautiful building at the top of Museum Mile.