New York Crystal Palace and the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations

With Sylvia Laudien-Meo

This tour was originally scheduled for Friday, 1/22/21 but has been rescheduled to Friday, 1/29/21.

Before the creation of New York’s beloved Bryant Park, this area behind the New York Public Library(then occupied by a monumental water reservoir,) was the site of the first American international exhibition. Inspired by an earlier exhibition in London, New York, in 1853, built its own Crystal Palace and with its display of the latest discoveries and creations in the fields of arts and sciences, not only impressedthe world, but also put the US on the map as a true competitor. Samuel Otis showed his elevator here, David Alter presented new methods of manufacturing and purifying bromine, important for the iron industry, the newest Daguerreotype cameras, microscopic and Fresnel lenses were shown, but also the arts were well represented, including Tiffany’s showroom as well as a picture gallery. Next to the main building NY’s first observatory attracted many visitors and after the exhibition the spaces were used for performances by PT Barnum. Tragically a fire destroyed all buildings in 1856, but the city was forever changed!

All tours are Eastern Time and run about 60 to 90 minutes.

Registration is now closed.

 

Friday, January 29
12:00 PM

Virtual Tour

Tickets:
Member: $15
Non-member: $25

illustration of the Crystal Palace and indoor pavilion
The Crystal Palace. Photo: The Edward W. C. Arnold Collection of New York Prints, Maps and Pictures, Bequest of Edward W. C. Arnold, 1954.