“Lost in Old New York”: Vintage Photos from the Museum of the City of New York

Broadway and 42nd Street circa 1947 – Courtesy of MCNY

Photographs have the ability to capture the zeitgeist of an era and transport the viewer from the present to a completely different time. The Museum of the City of New York is hosting an exhibit called “Lost in Old New York.” The series of eight interactive black and white photos gives a glimpse into New York City in the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibit also gives museum guests a special chance to win a year of free admission at the MCNY. To enter the visitors must take a selfie or ask someone to take their picture in front of the photographs and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #LostInOldNY. The museum will choose a winner every month from now until the exhibit closes on October 1st.

“Lost in Old New York” is a precursor to the museum’s first ever permanent exhibit “New York at Its Core,” a three-gallery exhibition that tells the story of New York’s 400-year history. “New York at Its Core” will open on November 18, 2016. Preview the pictures for “Lost in Old New York” below.

The Algerian Theater at Coney Island 1896 – Courtesy of MCNY

Pennsylvania Station circa 1935 – Courtesy of MCNY

Woman walking by Bergdorf Goodman, 1952 – Courtesy of MCNY

Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, 1903 – Courtesy of MCNY

Midland Beach, 1898 – Courtesy of MCNY

Schaefer Center at the 1939 New York World’s Fair – Courtesy of MCNY

Get tickets to the Museum of the City of New York here. “Lost in Old New York” is on display from now through October 1, 2016.

Next, read about “In the South Bronx of America”: 1970s Mel Rosenthal Photos at MCNY Show Another Side of Borough. Contact the author @jen_bagcal.