The Transit Museum Rocks!

Finding ourselves with time to kill, my friend, Don and I decided to make a trip to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn - something we had been talking about since there are constant reminders in ads on the subway.

Now, most people's response when mentioning the museum is - Why would I want to go to the Transit Museum? I ride the subway everyday!

Obviously we were not in this category. Both of us were curious to know more about how the subway system was created and for only $5 admission (actually 2 for 1 with a coupon I got from my NFT guide) it's not like we would be spending a lot of money to do so....

The museum resides in an old subway stop - so that means you have to go underground to see it.

Building the subway system was truly an impressive feat. For those that do have a curiosity about it - I highly suggest going. For those that don't - I won't bore you with too many details....but perhaps a mention of "human geysers" may make you curious too....

In addition to showing how the subways were made, the museum also shows the history and creation of the various bridges connecting NYC. Both modes of transit are taken for granted nowadays but back then it was a HUGE deal. People were no longer confined to working in one area of the "island" - they had more freedom to roam and this in turn added to the growth of the city.

My fav part of the museum was their massive collection of old subway cars (they also showed how turnstiles had changed over time too).

It's the closest to time travel a person can get (I'm posing in a car from 1907, ceiling fan car -1932 , aqua walls - 1963 , checkered floor - 1961.)

Just like the trains in the Durham Heritage Museum, you can walk thru the subway cars and not only see how they've changed but also see how the ads posted in the subways have changed overtime too! (Special programs even allow you to RIDE the older subways to locations like Coney Island and Rockaway Park...tempting...)

Before air conditioning, subways had no fans or ceiling fans. I overheard a tour guide explain that when they were in transition of changing from fans to a.c. the riders would look for the cars with no vents on the outside - because those were the ones that had air conditioning.

Most of the tiles and ornate design at each subway stop has been there since the subway was first built. The most intricate and beautiful being the one at the City Hall stop. (A stop created to drop off employees.) Because of safety concerns this stop is no longer available and is simply used for subway cars to turn around. However, the museum does offer tours for this stop - so expect to read about a visit on a future blog! ;)

PS - The gift shop rocks, too and one can also be found at Grand Central Station! :)

To see more pics from the Transit Museum click here and scroll thru pics - you'll know which ones they are! ;)