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.
Streetscapes
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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.
Getting Dressed: Gilded Age Afternoon Dress
Go behind the scenes of the Museum's costume collection to take a closer look at an extravagant Gilded Age frock, and get to know the New York City woman who wore the dress.
Punk Photographer Roberta Bayley
The photographer of the iconic Ramones album cover shares her experiences in New York City's early punk scene.
Shopping in the Late 19th Century
With the Midtown flagship stores of Lord & Taylor and Henri Bendel both closing their doors, we take a look back at the shops in the Ladies’ Mile shopping district of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Digitizing the Work of John Vachon in the LOOK Magazine Collection
Our project to process and describe the Museum’s LOOK magazine collection continues with the digitization of photographs by John Vachon, who documented American life — from the rural poor to the New York City streets.
William A. Clark Mansion
Copper magnate William S. Clark Sr. built one of the most egregious examples of Gilded Age excess. The mansion that once stood at 960 Fifth Avenue boasted 121 rooms, 31 baths, four art galleries, a swimming pool, and even an underground rail line!
City Play: Martha Cooper’s New York
Martha Cooper's photographs from the '70s and '80s reflect a time before video games and cell phones when the streets of New York were a creative playground for city kids.
Hitting the Beach in the 19th Century
Fleeing the steamy city streets for the beach is not a new phenomenon. Take an escape to the summertime retreats of years past and see how New Yorkers used to beat the heat…despite the heavy layers of clothing!
New York City Easter Parade
Easter in New York has become synonymous with a pageant of people marching down Fifth Avenue, many wearing large over-the-top hats. Learn how the Easter parade became the “fashion promenade” it is today.