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About the Museum

GENERAL INFORMATION

The New York Transit Museum, one of the city's leading cultural institutions is the largest museum in the United States devoted to urban public transportation history, and one of the premier institutions of its kind in the world. The Museum explores the development of the greater New York Metropolitan region through the presentations of exhibitions, tours, educational programs, and workshops dealing with the cultural, social, and technological history of public transportation. Since it's inception over a quarter century ago, the Museum, housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights, has grown in scope and popularity. As custodian and interpreter of the region's extensive public transportation networks, the Museum strives to share, through its public programs, this rich and vibrant history with local, regional, and international audiences.

The New York Transit Museum's mailing address is: 130 Livingston Street, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

If you wish to join our mailing list click here or call 718-694-3451.

The New York Transit Museum's galleries feature popular exhibits such as Steel, Stone, and Backbone, which recounts the tale of building New York City's 100 year-old subway system, and many highly interactive exhibitions such as On The Streets, an in-depth look at New York City's trolleys and buses. Also of interest are the museum's age-appropriate education workshops and computer resource center.

The New York Transit Museum operates a gallery annex in Grand Central Terminal that presents changing exhibitions. The gallery annex is located just off the Main Concourse in the Shuttle Passage, next to the Station Master's office. Please go to What's New on this web site for information on the gallery annex's current exhibition.

Devotees of the Museum's unique transportation-related merchandise may shop at our two Museum Stores in Grand Central Terminal and in Brooklyn Heights, as well as online at www.transitmuseumstore.com Museum Members receive a 10% discount (excluding MetroCards and limited-edition merchandise.) Discounts are available only on purchases made at Transit Museum retail stores.

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HOURS, ADMISSIONS, AND DIRECTIONS

New York Transit Museum
Hours Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays
Phone (718) 694-1600
Admission Adults $5
Children 3 – 17 years of age $3
Senior Citizens (62+) $3
Seniors Free Wednesdays
Museum members: Free
Directions
Located at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights

Subway: 2 3 4 5* to Borough Hall, M R to Court Street, A C G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street, A C F to Jay Street/Borough Hall.
*Weekdays rush hours only

Bus: B25, B26, B37, B38, B41, B45, B52, B57, B61, B65, B67, B75 all stop within 1 to 2 blocks of the museum.



Car: From Manhattan: take the Brooklyn Bridge, proceed straight on to Adams Street. Adams will become Boerum Place. Go two blocks to Schermerhorn Street. For more detailed directions and for directions from other boroughs, Long Island or New Jersey please call 1-718-694-1873
   
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store at Grand Central Terminal
Hours Monday – Friday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM
Closed: major holidays and for special events
Phone (212) 878-0106
Admission Free
Directions Located just off the main concourse in the Shuttle Passage, adjacent to the Station Masters' Office

Metro-North:
to Grand Central Terminal

LIRR:
to Woodside, Queens, then 7 to Grand Central Terminal

Subway:
4 5 6 7 S to Grand Central Station.

Bus:
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M42, M98, M101, M102, M103, M104 to Grand Central Terminal.

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GROUP VISITS

Reserving a Group Visit

The New York Transit Museum welcomes groups! Adult and youth groups may make a reservation for a guided visit by contacting our Reservations Department Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (718) 694-1873.

Group reservations are confirmed when a Reservation Agreement provided by the Museum has been signed by the group leader and received by the Museum.

On Tuesdays through Fridays, one and one half-hour guided visits provide youth groups in grades pre-K-12 with opportunities for hands-on learning in various subject areas. Museum exhibits complement curricular exploration of the social history of New York City, the engineering sciences, the mathematics and art of subway and station design, the history of immigration in New York City, and the urban landscape.

Group visits include a workshop that can be adapted to accommodate your group's developmental needs or curricular goals. Workshop projects explore such themes as the role of public transportation in the development of New York City, art and architecture in transportation facilities, and transit-inspired poetry. We will try to tailor the content of your tour and workshop to support your classroom work. The Museum's Education Department is available at (718) 694-1792 to discuss the educational content of your visit and students' special needs.

Group Visit Guidelines

Chaperones
The Museum requires one (1) adult chaperone per ten (10) children. Required chaperones are admitted free; any additional adult chaperones pay regular admission.

Payment
The Museum does NOT accept personal or company checks, vouchers or purchase orders.

Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, American Express, Visa or MasterCard.

Scheduling
As a courtesy to groups on our waiting list, please contact the Education Department (718-694-1792) at your earliest convenience to notify us of any reservation changes or cancellation.

Due to the Museum's safety concerns, space limitations, and our interest in providing an excellent experience for all guests, your visit to the Museum should not last more than two hours from the start of your group's reserved time, including a guided tour, workshop and lunch.

We regret that groups arriving after their reserved time are not guaranteed a guided tour or workshop, although every effort will be made. The availability and duration of the tour and workshop options are contingent upon the timeliness of your arrival.

Lunch Facilities
When making your reservation, please reserve time for the lunchroom if you expect to eat during your visit. Food and beverage vending are not available at the Museum; please bring your lunch.

Accessibility
The Transit Museum is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if any members of your group use a wheelchair so that we can be ready to assist you.

Museum conduct
On the day of your visit, please follow rules provided by Museum staff regarding safety and courtesy in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for your group.

Resources
Visit the Education Station section of this site to explore a range of learning opportunities that can be used in the classroom to augment the content of your museum visit. A diverse array of online educational activities and engaging games provide a more in-depth look at Transit Museum exhibit and program themes.

We look forward to seeing you at the New York Transit Museum!

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SERVICES FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES

The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store at Grand Central Terminal, and the Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn are wheelchair accessible.

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PROGRAM AND SPECIAL EVENT RESERVATIONS

The museum sponsors many educational tours and special events. For information on these please refer to the Programs section of this web site.

Reservations and advance payment are required for tours and special events. Payment must be received at least one week before the scheduled tour or event. Payment can be made by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express) or by check or money order payable to: New York Transit Museum.

To make a reservation, or for additional information please call (718) 694-1867.

Please Note Events are subject to change without notice.

Refund Policy
The Transit Museum will make refunds in the form of a voucher, good for the dollar amount paid, for cancellations that are made at least one week before the event. Vouchers are good for one year and can be redeemed for any Transit Museum event. Vouchers cannot be used for Museum admission or purchases at the Transit Museum Stores.

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MEMBERSHIP

The best way to enjoy the New York Transit Museum is through the benefits of membership. Members help the Museum bring the rich history of public transportation in the world's greatest city to audiences everywhere, and they gain free or discounted access to Museum exhibits, programs and special events for one year.

For more details download a membership application or apply online.

To become a member over the phone or for additional information please call (718) 694-3451.

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CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES

The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights is a fascinating transportation setting for any child's birthday party. Book now and give your child a terrific birthday bash guaranteed to be both fun and yes, educational too! For a truly memorable experience celebrate your child's next birthday in one of New York City's most unique and interesting locations.

Over 100 years of transit lore and memorabilia will come to life during the kids' guided tour of the museum, and they will also get to showcase their creative talents during our fun, age-appropriate hands-on workshops.

Party Facts:
1. Party Space Rental Fee: $300.00 for 12 children (ages 4 and up) and 4 adults. $15.00 per additional child, up to 20 maximum. Parties are "Drop Off." Extra adults must pay regular museum admission ($5.00 per person.)
2. Available party dates and times: Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; or 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Full payment is required at the time reservations are made. Party is confirmed only when payment is received. Museum members receive 10% discount.
4. Refund Policy: $150.00 for cancellations made at least two weeks prior to party date.
5. Party package includes: Private party space; guided tour of the museum; age-appropriate hands-on workshop; set up and clean up, and inserts for invitations with directions to the museum.

ADDITIONAL BIRTHDAY PARTY ADD-ON
SPECIAL SUBWAY-THEME FUN PACK INCLUDES:

Price: $50.00

Goody bags and party favors can be arranged at various price levels. Click on Online Store for gift ideas.

Full payment is required when you make a reservation. To reserve a date and/or for additional information please contact Tim Keiley, the museum's special events coordinator. Telephone: (718) 694-1579, Fax: (718) 694- 1791, e-mail: tikeile@nyct.com

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EDUCATION

The museum's Sanford Gaster Education Center boasts a welcoming area for conducting workshops and hands-on activities for youngsters, and a computer resource center. The computer resource center offers enhanced opportunities for research and learning about public transportation and extends the museum's educational outreach efforts from a local to a national and global audience. In the future, as the computer resource center continues to grow, it will feature online access to the museum's collections and allow for remote exploration of other transportation related resources. To preview some of our current offerings please click on Education Station.

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ARCHIVES

The museum's archives include collections of photographs, documents, posters, and drawings relating to the history of public transportation in the metropolitan region. Admission is by appointment. Please call (718) 694-1068, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for an appointment.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MUSEUM

Steel, Stone & Backbone: Building New York's Subways 1900-1925. This ever-popular exhibition presents a look at the building of New York City's first subway line, various construction methods, and the people who built it. The exhibition features pictures taken over 100 years ago during construction, along with historical artifacts and period videos. The faces of the workers and images of the birth of the subway evoke a sense of awe and appreciation for the dedication, tenacity, and sacrifice of the men who built the subway.

In the art gallery on the mezzanine, the museum presents changing exhibitions of contemporary art works as well as historical subjects. Please click on Programs to find out about our current art gallery exhibition.

The R-46 Screening Room presents continuous showings of the film River of Steel, as well as a display of stills from films shot in the subways

An exhibit on Fare Collection shows representative examples of various types of collection devices used throughout the subway system's history. Visitors may interact with these devices for a uniquely tactile retrospective experience. The exhibit features the first paper ticket-choppers used in 1904, later turnstile designs that accepted coins and tokens, the MetroCard turnstile currently in operation, and a graphic timeline underscoring milestones in fare collection as well as the fifty year history of the token. Images from the museum's archives not previously displayed show these reliable vintage turnstiles in use in their respective eras.

A gallery dedicated to surface transportation presents, in nine complementing segments, a history of above ground mobility for the last 175 years – from the early 1800s through the 21st Century. The central element of the exhibition On the Streets: New York's Trolleys and Buses is a simulated traffic intersection complete with traffic lights and coordinated walk-don't walk signs, parking meters, fire hydrants, and an array of other "street furniture." Children of all ages will delight in our wheelchair accessible, 12-seat bus; refurbished 1960s "Fishbowl" bus cab; and child-sized trolley. Audio interviews with New York City Transit Department of Buses personnel and a commissioned photo essay A Day in the Life of a Bus complete the streetscape. Exhibition sidebars credit two men who were instrumental in the electrification of streetcars and railcars. Frank Julian Sprague (1857 – 1934), of European descent, often called "the father of electric railway traction" was responsible for the first large-scale successful use of electricity to run an entire system of streetcars in Richmond, Virginia, in 1887-1888; and Granville T. Woods (1856 – 1910), an African-American inventor who patented more than 60 devices over 30 years that sped development of telegraphs, telephones, and electric trains. One of Woods' most significant inventions, a third-rail system for conducting electric power to railway cars – successfully demonstrated in 1892 in Coney Island – made the subway a reality in New York City. The exhibition also tells the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham (1830 – 1901), an African-American schoolteacher who won a landmark legal decision that defined the rights of people of color to ride any public conveyance on the city's streets. Ms. Graham's victory occurred 100 years before Rosa Parks won a U.S. Supreme Court case in the 1950s, that gave African-Americans the right to sit anywhere in a public bus.

Clearing the Air a highly interactive segment of On the Streets allows visitors to learn about the evolution of fuel technologies and evaluate their environmental impact. At a series of interactive stops within the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to compare old and new technologies and explore the origin of various fuels used over time, as well as understand steps being taken by Transit's Department of Buses to reduce harmful emissions.

On the Streets visitors will also enjoy the Dr. George T.F. Rahilly Trolley and Bus Study Center. The Center features over 50 detailed models of trolleys and work cars created by Dr. Rahilly, a trolley enthusiast whose painstaking depiction of every trolley that ever ran in Brooklyn, is a highlight of the Museum's collections.

On the platform level, Moving the Millions: New York City's Subways from its Origins to the Present provides visitors with an overview of the magnitude and complexity of New York City's rapid transit system. The exhibition uses historical photographs, diagrams, cartoons, period maps, and newspaper clippings to illustrate major issues and events that influenced the development of the largest transportation network in North America. While touring Moving the Millions, museum visitors may board the Museum's vintage collection of subway and elevated trains and visit a working signal tower.

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NYSCA Image cnydc.gif New York Transit Museum programs are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.