Tour the history of the city and explore the exhibits and attractions at the Museum of the City of New York. The museum was founded in 1923 to showcase the history of New York City, and is home to art in various medias like paintings, drawings, prints and photographs featuring the city and its residents. Other pieces of the collection include costumes, decorative objects and furniture, toys, rare books and manuscripts, marine and military artifacts, police and fire artifacts and items documenting the golden age of Broadway theater.
The Gershwin Theatre opened in 1972 and is the current home of the Theater Hall of Fame. Oklahoma!, Riverdance, Peter Pan, Fiddler on the Roof, Singin' in the Rain, My Fair Lady, and The King and I are just a few among the many plays that have taken place at Gershwin Theatre. Visit this historic theater entertainment venue and browse the displays in the main lobby. The lobby showcases an exhibition of costumes, opening night gifts, props and stage notes. Perhaps the most interesting items in the collection are personal belongings of noted Broadway entertainers like Carol Channing, Lynn Fontanne, Angela Lansbury, and Bernadette Peters.
The Museum of Chinese in America offers the perfect opportunity for you to examine the impact that the Chinese culture has had on our country. The museum chronicles 160 years of Chinese culture in America through innovative exhibitions and educational and cultural programs. The museum is home to more than 60,000 letters, documents, business and organizational records, oral histories, clothing, textiles, photographs and artifacts that celebrate Chinese American arts, culture and history.
While exploring Staten Island, stop at the Alice Austen House for a unique museum experience. The Dutch Colonial style home, often referred to as Clear Comfort, was built between 1690 and 1750, and belonged to photographer Alice Austen until 1945. The home now houses a museum featuring work from Austen and other photographers. The Austen House also offers etiquette classes, art camps and small concerts.