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The metropolitan Museum
on the eastern edge of Central Park, was created with an endorsement
from J.D. Rockefeller and completed in 1938. An interesting fact is
that he also purchased several hundred acres of the New Jersey
Palisades, across the Hudson river from the museum, and donated it to
the state of New Jersey so the view from the "Met" would always be
preserved.
This "Met" was designated as a national historic monument in 1986.
New York Museums and Places of
Interest
by Damian Burke
This article serves as a brief guide to a few of
the numerous must see cultural goldmines in New York City.
American Museum of Natural History
See the 3.2 million year old lady. One of the greatest historical finds
of our time and arguably the oldest known proof of human evolution, the
skeleton of 'Lucy' is on display at the museum as well as a
planetarium, complex dioramas, a rare selection of priceless articles
in the library and an extensive display on the study of human
evolution. Established in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History
in Manhattan's Upper West Side is one of the most respected and
interesting museums in the world.
Whitney Museum of American Art
The most important artworks of the 20th century are on display at the
Whitney Museum of American Art. Affectionately known as 'The Whitney',
it has over 12 000 works from artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper
Johns, Knox Martin and Jackson Pollock. The museum was established by
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, an artist and founder of the Whitney
Studio Club. The Whitney Studio Club later evolved into the Whitney
Museum of American Art.
The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art
For those who enjoy something with a little more KaBlam!, the Museum of
Comic and Cartoon Art is the place to spot those priceless rarities,
unheard of spin offs and long forgotten classics. This New York City
museum opened its doors on Broadway in 2001 and regularly hosts
classes, book openings, workshops and lectures featuring special
invited guests.
The New York Public Library
One of the most important research libraries in America and one of the
world's leading public libraries, The New York Public Library is one of
the most significant catalogues of documentation in the world. The
building itself has been a work in progress since 1897, but it only
opened its doors to the public at an official opening ceremony in 1911,
which was hosted by the United States President at the time; William
Howard Taft. The exterior of the library features two lion statues,
dubbed "Patience" and "Fortitude" , which have reached iconic
status, and are now synonymous with library entrances. The library also
hosts a website which offers access to the library's catalogues and
databases. The website gives members free access to thousands of
historical and contemporary newspapers, magazines, journals and
reference books.
The Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim is the best known museum in New York. Not only is it the
definitive collector of Modern art, but it also caters specifically for
early modernists. The full title of the museum is The Solomon R.
Guggenheim Museum and it forms part of New York's Museum Mile. The
Guggenheim franchise also has museums in Berlin, Bilboa, Venice and Las
Vegas.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Commonly known as 'the Met' on the bohemian streets of the Big Apple,
this New York Museum Mile institution is the world's largest collection
of art of the 20th century. The museum, is situated on the eastern edge
of Central Park, and has 19 different departments in its permanent
collection featuring specific themes such as arms and armor, musical
instruments, Egyptian art and American Paintings and Sculpture.
The Paley Center for Media
Formerly The Museum of Broadcasting, and also the Museum of Television
& Radio, the curators of at Midtown Manhattan's Paley Centre for
Media are the caretakers of more than 120 000 TV and radio broadcasts
which have been donated to the museum by the original owners - perfect
for the weary coach potato traveler. Much of the museums emphasis is on
media as a time capsule, and the inclusion of TV and radio as important
human history. Amongst the archives are TV programs dating from 1948,
and radio programs from the 1920s. All of these broadcasts are
available to the public.
The Brooklyn Children's Museum
Another groundbreaking New York institution is The Brooklyn Children's
Museum, which was the first children's museum in the world when it was
founded in 1899. Permanent exhibit themes of the museum include
toddlers, New York City landmarks, children's library, live animals and
greenhouse, an area for visiting exhibits, musical instruments from
around the world and a stage for kid's shows. The interactivity of the
displays will have the little ones entertained, and learning all
afternoon.
The Skyscraper Museum
A relatively new addition to the ever growing list of New York museums
and places of interest is The Skyscraper Museum, which is devoted to
high rise architecture. The museum portrays the buildings as "objects
of design, products of technology, sites of construction, investments
in real estate, and places of work and residence." The museum was
temporarily closed down for use during the post-September 11 period for
use as an emergency information centre. One of the main features is an
'air walk' above the streets of New York. Not for the faint hearted,
but definitely a once in a life time experience.
Irish Hunger Memorial
Commissioned by architects and designers, The Irish Hunger Memorial
pays respect to the estimated eight thousand Irish who died of
starvation between 1845 and 1852, due to potato crop failure commonly
known as "potato blight'. The site stretches a quarter acre corner in
Battery Park City neighborhood of Manhattan and its stones, soil and
vegetation are all collected from each of the Irish counties.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
Located in an area rich in naval and maritime history at New York's
Pier 86 in Manhattan, the museum features the USS Intrepid aircraft
carrier, the USS Growler submarine (both World War II relics) and a
Concorde aircraft. The museum periodically welcomes invited ships for
special events, which is held on the deck of the colossal air craft
carrier.
About the Author
New York Journey will give
you an inclusive look at what is on offer in terms of New York museums
and cultural attractions. As well as all the information on New
York City attractions this site is home to a wealth of information
surrounding restaurants, hotels, shopping and sightseeing tours of the
Big Apple.
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