My first impression was that you'd think the transit folks somehow would have managed to make this more accessible. The museum is in Brooklyn, which I didn't have a problem with. Somehow, though, my hopstop directions didn't lead me right to the door, or even the starting intersection, this time. I think I got goofed up in my Brooklyn station before coming above ground, but that's beside the point. After scouting a block or two in every direction and coming up with no streets listed on my directions, I decided to prevail upon the knowledge and kindness of the folks at the Brooklyn Historical Society to get me started again in the right direction. They quickly and pleasantly obliged. I think I owe them a visit now.
The approach to this museum is not the most encouraging nor welcoming entrance I've encountered recently. Besides the fact that they were sorting recycling on most of the sidewalk right by the steps I needed, this looks a little like a subway entrance I'd rather avoid.
But since the museum is "housed in a historic 1936 IND subway station in Brooklyn Heights," this is the way in, so I went.
Luckily, there were two people near the door to show me which way to start. They didn't suggest my route, they told me what to do. OK. I can follow directions. The first exhibit visitors are routed through is Steel, Stone & Backbone: Building New York's Subways 1900-1925. It's an interesting exhibit, full of pictures and some of the original building tools and equipment. There are even some quotes from workers, describing astonishing occurrences like "blowouts," when geysers of water erupted from the underground digging sites, blowing earth, equipment, and humans up through the ground in what was usually disastrous fashion. My lingering impression of this part of the exhibit is that it was rather dim and cramped, which may have been intentional atmosphere. My biggest disappointment, however, was that captions for the pictures were listed together at the far side of a grouping of pictures, meaning viewers have to physically move back and forth between captions and pictures (both of which are relatively small) to get much out of either. I didn't have much patience for this, so I spent less time in this portion of the museum than I might have done otherwise.
After that, the space opens up into sections highlighting other aspects of transit in the City. One area I particularly enjoyed was the section dedicated to fare collection. Turnstiles and other "gate" devices from the subway system are arranged chronologically, accompanied by descriptions of the time period each was used and the various merits and problems of each.
Visitors could walk through each of these (but didn't have to in order to read the labeling), and kids particularly seemed to enjoy it. But I was not the only (or the first) adult to walk through some of the older models. I also enjoyed the display that traced the changes in ride prices and depicted the various tokens. (Sadly, I never got to use a subway token in New York. Metrocard was already in place by my first visit. I have to say it's a system that I'm impressed with, and it makes work commute smoother.)
I went through On the Streets: New York's Trolleys and Buses more quickly and especially enjoyed the period pictures that accompanied the timeline of the changes in trolley and bus service in the City.
The description of the design and creation of the bridges was also fairly amazing, and I enjoyed learning more about the various architectural styles that were planned and eventually used.Until this point I had been thinking that this wasn't a particularly engaging museum for children except, perhaps, for the many turnstiles. When I saw the Clearing the Air section, I began to change my mind. This interactive display focused on science and discussed environmental concerns and developments as they relate to different fuel types. There were several "try it out" kinds of activities, and the questions and answers involved lights and buttons. In my experience these are always winners with kids. (The first time I took my nephew, three at the time, to a museum, he was thrilled with a scientific display that allowed him to push and pull things in order to make lights come on. He was not the least bit interested in what that exhibit was about, but he was delighted with those lights!) It just got better for children from there, because there was a full-sized replica of a bus that visitors could "drive" or ride in. Personally, my day was made when I spotted this station cat in the scale trolley model.
The end of the first level had a lunch room with long school cafeteria type tables. Museum employees were covering the tables with plastic tablecloths decorated with the subway map, apparently for a party of some sort. I can think of several little guys I know who would be ecstatic to have a birthday party in this venue! (I'm sure the little gals I know would have fun, too, but so far their interests haven't focused as much on modes of transportation.)
The lower level of the museum housed an unexpected surprise: retired subway cars from many, many decades. The signage was between the tracks on the platform. I was fascinated by the subtle design changes and had a great time looking at the different materials used and the vintage ads.
You might be interested to know that in the past, subway seats were padded!
(In this 1950s model, I noted the similarity with diner style of that time.)
I guess the MTA has figured out that fitting in more seats per car isn't the only way they can save money.
I'd like to go back to the London Transport Museum to see how it compares to this one. It's just been too long for me to remember, although my impression is that it was brighter and easier to find. One thing I know for certain, though, is that the t-shirts from both institutions are pretty cool.
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