As the New York City subway nears its 120th anniversary, the New York Transit Museum is preparing for a special exhibition and a nostalgic train parade. The grand finale of the festivities will take place at the historic City Hall subway station, which has been closed to the public for nearly 80 years.
In just a month, the subway will officially celebrate its 120th birthday. To honor this significant milestone, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York Transit Museum have launched an exhibition titled “The Subway Is…,” which has recently opened its doors to the public. Additionally, nostalgia train parades will be held in October and November, offering participants a chance to explore two old subway stations in Manhattan that have been out of service for years.
The roots of New York’s above-ground transit system date back to the mid-19th century, culminating in the opening of the first underground railway through Manhattan on October 27, 1904. Following Boston, New York became the second city in the U.S. to establish a subway system, a date now recognized as “Subway Day” in the city.
The exhibition aims to delve into a century of transformation. After a chaotic and competitive start involving both private and public investments, the New York subway system we recognize today largely took shape in the 1940s when the city government took control. Initially, different companies adopted varying standards, leading to discrepancies in train sizes and signaling systems. This inconsistency resulted in the dual system of numerical and alphabetical line designations we are familiar with now.
Over its 120-year history, the subway, much like the city itself, has experienced cycles of rise and fall. Many of the issues criticized today, such as safety concerns and aging infrastructure, were even more pronounced during the subway’s decline from the 1960s to the late 1980s. The condition of the subway serves as a mirror to reflect New York’s own historical challenges and triumphs.
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, the New York Transit Museum stands as a significant tourist attraction, showcasing a wealth of artifacts and historical records. The “The Subway Is…” exhibition offers a comprehensive narrative detailing the subway’s evolution over the past 120 years through an array of artifacts, photographs, documents, and multimedia displays. Interactive activities also enhance the experience, making it a perfect outing for families seeking both fun and educational insights.
The subway’s history is deeply intertwined with that of New York City itself. By exploring this narrative, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how the seemingly flat expanses of Manhattan conceal a complex geological foundation beneath. Moreover, the extensive subway tunnel network, an engineering marvel of its time, was predominantly built by immigrant labor, laying the groundwork for the city’s vibrant diversity today.
The exhibition not only presents historical facts but also prompts attendees to reflect on crucial questions: What impact did the revolutionary concept of a subway system have on urban transit and governance over a century ago? How did the subway facilitate cultural exchanges among New York’s diverse communities? And how did it transition from a mere transportation method to an emblematic symbol of the city’s identity?
As commemorative events culminate on Sunday, October 27, the Transit Museum will feature vintage 1917 Lo-V subway cars in a parade along the subway lines of Manhattan and the Bronx. There will be four parade sessions on October 27 and November 16, with rides scheduled at 10 AM and 2 PM on both days.
The parade will start at the old South Ferry station, which has been operational since 1905 until it closed in 2009 due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. The nostalgic route will take participants from the South Ferry station along the 1/2/3 subway lines, heading north before turning south along the 4/5/6 lines, ultimately reaching the elusive City Hall station.
City Hall station, which opened in conjunction with the subway in 1904, is located underground beneath the current City Hall Park. Featuring a curved platform, soaring ceilings with vaulted arches, and adorned with colorful tiles, glass, and vintage chandeliers, the station was closed in 1945 due to low ridership and limited platform space. Despite its inaccessibility, the station remains “alive” as the subway 6 train passes through for operational purposes. During special events like the parade, this historic station—witness to the subway’s journey—will once again open its doors to the public.
The New York Transit Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with admission priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-17 and seniors over 62. Tickets for the nostalgia train parade are $60 for adults and $40 for children, with boarding available only at the South Ferry station and a return at City Hall. Tickets can be reserved at https://reurl.cc/NlnmAQ.
