MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK........AND A GIVEAWAY!

Is the glass of lemonade you made from life's sour lemons half full or half empty?

In July, Mr. GS and I had to be in New York City for an early morning appointment, 
and another appointment a few hours later.

Ugh.......how were we going to kill time in between the two?

One of us would have sat in the waiting room playing endless games of  
Words With Friends to pass the time.........

but the other of us (hint - the one without the mustache 😉) 
could not have imagined a more dull way to spend almost 3 hours.
She decided to figure out how to turn a humdrum day 
into something more exciting. 

Looking at the lemons in front of her, she said,

"I'm making lemonade........would you like a glass?

 And with the response of 

"Yes, please, I'd like a glass half full,"

research began for a spontaneous mini-adventure in Manhattan.

Our appointments were not far from a stretch of Fifth Avenue known as Museum Mile.

Running from 82nd Street to 110th Street,

this area on Manhattan's upper east side boasts nine of the city's cultural gems. 

The Museum Of The City of New York was a perfect choice for our needs that day.......

It was closest to our two appointments, and neither of us had ever been to it.

Plus, it was small enough that we could see a good part of it 
in the amount of time we had..........

and, it had a little cafe where we could grab some lunch.  
Perfetto! 

The neo-Georgian building that houses the museum was completed in 1932,
and was commissioned specifically to be the repository for the city's artifacts.

The museum contains over 750,000 objects relevant to the city's past, present and future.
There are several permanent collections, in addition to a number of rotating exhibits.

The permanent collection includes a 28-minute film called Timescapes, 
encapsulating the history of New York.
It was an entertaining and informative place to start our museum visit.

Also ongoing is the Activists exhibit which highlights how New Yorkers 
have taken on causes like civil rights, women's issues, the Vietnam war, 
sexual orientation, and religious freedom.

New York To Its Core explores 400 years of history 
that made New York the city that it is...........
tracking it from a Dutch village to "Capital Of The World."

The Stettheimer Dollhouse, illustrates the style of New York's gilded age in miniature form.
I'll have to go back for this one -- it wasn't Mr. Goo Shoes' thing. 

Aaaaaand, there's the gorgeous Starlight...........
a stunning light element hanging in the rotunda.
It is the most photographed feature in the museum,
and lord knows I tried to get a decent picture, but didn't quite succeed.
I'd like to go back just to try again.
Who wants to join me?

As for short term exhibits, we popped in to check out Blue Man Group: Ready...Go!
Are you familiar with this New York City sensation?
They've been around since the early 90s, 
making music out of all sorts of commonplace objects, 
such as PVC tubing, as displayed in the museum's exhibit.  

Even the stairwells were worth a look-see,
with provocative photos adorning the walls. 

 

In my opinion, museum shops are exhibits in their own right,😉
and deserve intense scrutiny.
This particular one has some interesting souvenirs,
including dishware sporting words with New Yawk accents.  
I, for one, don't need to buy such souvenirs, 
since I live with the my very own native NYer and his authentic Brooklyn accent.

 NOW.........FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
I bought a couple of SMALL things at the gift shop with my readers in mind.
Some of you have told me that coming to New York someday is on your bucket list,
and others of you would like to return for a visit.

Sooooooooo.........
as a way of providing a little encouragement to book that trip,
I'd like to send these little souvenirs to one of you.
 In addition, I will send a 5x7 matted print of a favorite photograph 
that I've taken of New York City.
Even if you have no plans to ever come to the Big Apple,
take a chance on my giveaway, anyway.

 Who's in?
Leave me a comment and I'll put all the names in a hat
and draw the winner, which I'll announce in my next post.
Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you!

Good luck!

RESOURCES:

Museum Of The City Of New York

1220 Fifth Avenue between E. 103rd and E. 104th Streets

New York, NY  

212-534-1672 

Open daily 10am - 6pm (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day).

Suggested Admission:

Adults:                                    $20

Seniors (65+) and Students:  $14 with ID

Ages 19 and under:               $ Free

Members:                               $ Free

 

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