Explore the rich history of New York City, past and present, one neighborhood at a time. Through the lens of transportation, discover new places, share stories, and connect with communities. Join Senior Museum Educator Katherine Reeves in Lower Manhattan for a transit walk and explore the fascinating history of pre-subway New York. We will visit the former site of Thomas Edison’s power plant, and learn the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham, whose landmark 1854 lawsuit led to the eventual desegregation of all New York City transit systems by 1865. From ferries and horsecars to pneumatic tubes and trolleys, we will discuss the inventions, mishaps, and activists that would eventually lead to the construction of the subway-- which unified the people and places of New York and allowed for the development of our great city.
Tickets will be available to museum members at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 14th. Remaining tickets will be available to the general public at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 15th.
Tickets are $25 for museum members and $30 for the general public.
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Walking and climbing stairs required. Please dress for the weather as this tour will take place primarily outdoors.
Photography and video recording are permitted. However, tripods, stands, selfie sticks, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken are for personal use only and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.
For information on American Sign Language interpreters, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility. If you have any questions or concerns, please email tours@nytransitmuseum.org or call 718-694-1867.
All ticket sales are final. Should you be unable to attend the tour on the date you reserved, the full price of unused tickets may be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Museum is not able to reschedule reservations to another tour date.
Please note: To receive the member ticket price of $25 in your check-out basket, existing members must sign in above to verify membership.