Museum of the City of New York

The Museum of the City of New York is dedicated to the development of New York and covers its past as well as the present and future of this fascinating metropolis. The museum is housed in a beautiful mansion at New York's Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue.

The Mansion

The Museum of the City of New York, established in 1923, was first located in Gracie Mansion, now part of Carl Schurz Park. In 1932 the museum moved to its current home at Fifth Avenue between 102nd and 103rd Streets. 

Inside the mansion

The stately building, designed by Joseph H. Freedlander in a Georgian Revival style, nicely complements the many grand mansions that were built along upper Fifth Avenue by industrial magnates during the 19th and early 20th century.

Grand Army Plaza

Central Park's Grand Army Plaza is one of two in New York City with the same name. The other - more famous, but less touristy - is near Brooklyn's Prospect Park.

Grand Army Plaza

Situated on Fifth Avenue at 59th Street, Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza was completed in 1916. This plaza bears the moniker "grand" not because of its size. It is, in fact, named for the Grand Army of the Potomac, which was the name given to the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Manhattan Municipal Building

One of the largest government buildings in the world, the Municipal Building in downtown Manhattan is a magnificent structure worthy of its "City Landmark" designation.

History of the Municipal Building

By the 1880s, the city of New York was growing in leaps and bounds. The population had increased to more than a million residents and the government was outgrowing its offices. The mayor, Franklin Edson, recognized the need for more space for government offices and was reluctant to add onto the original City Hall building.