New York City’s public transportation system is legendary. It’s one of the oldest and most efficient systems in the world, one of the busiest, and has one of the longest subway systems. There is so much history to be learned about the subway alone, and the NY Transit Museum is a great place to start. Here, you can learn all about the history of the system, along with its function in present day. Some favorite exhibits among our Brooklyn workers’ compensation lawyers include:

Silver Connections: Subway Drawings by Philip Ashforth Coppola

On display until June 24, 2018, Silver Connections features a visual guide to the designs of New York City’s iconic subway system. Philip Ashforth Coppola was extremely passionate about the city’s public transportation system, and he channeled this passion into this series of drawings. This is the first time this series will be on display for the public.

The drawings will be presented alongside historic subway mosaic and terracotta pieces from the Museum’s permanent collection, along with a short film by Jeremy Workman.

From Fulton Ferry: Building Downtown Brooklyn

This exhibit explores how Brooklyn was built in its early days through the construction of a commercial ferry slip between Long Island and New Amsterdam at the end of Old Fulton Street. The story is told using archival photographs and artifacts from the Museum’s collections. Visit this exhibit to find out how transportation innovation facilitated the development of downtown Brooklyn, one of the most culturally significant neighborhoods in the United States.

Bringing Back The City: Mass Transit Responds To Crisis

On display through September 2018, this exhibit gives visitors an insight into how New York City’s transit employees respond to crises. Examples used in this exhibit include the events of September 11th, 2001, the 2003 Northeast Blackout, Hurricane Sandy, and other disasters. The stories of what life was like for these workers during these events are told through the use of various objects, photographs, media, and personal accounts. How do these workers put their technical and professional skills to work in order to restore public transportation service and get the city moving again after a crisis?

Steel, Stone & Backbone: Building New York’s Subways

This exhibit tells the story of the construction of New York City’s first subway line, which opened all the way back in 1904. Here, you can learn all about the construction methods and scope of labor needed to complete this audacious project. Further context is added through the use of historical artifacts, video, and photography from the construction project.

On the Streets: New York’s Trolleys and Buses

This exhibit explores how above-ground transportation has developed from the early 19th century until present day. You can view a variety of original street objects here from throughout the past two centuries, including:

  • A 12-seat city bus
  • A “fishbowl” bus cab
  • Walk/don’t walk signs
  • Parking meters
  • Fire hydrants
  • Traffic lights

This exhibit also discusses fuel technologies and how they’ve impacted the environment.