I never thought I would say this but Robert Moses really wow’d me… in a good way. About a week ago I went to visit the “Panorama of the City of New York” at the Queens Museum of Art. I had heard rumors that this ongoing exhibit at QMA was a model created in the exact image of the entire city of New York. Impossible, I thought. How could that be true? How could Robert Moses find the time to dedicate 3 years and 100 people to rebuilding a mini- New York City when he was already so busy turning the already existing one into a car culture?
Well believe it. I saw it with my own eyes… and I took pictures! The Panorama of the City of New York DOES exist, and it is wonderful. My friend and I spent over an hour and a half studying the variations in districts, boroughs, architecture and park structure. Here are some interesting facts about the Panorama of the City of New York:
– It was built for the 1964- 65 World’s Fair
– It was intended to help with city planning prior to be exhibited at the fair
– It’s 9335 square feet!
– It includes EVERY SINGLE BUILDING in the entirety of New York City built before 1992 (resulting in a total of 895,000)
– The Panorama took 3 years and 100 people to build
– Raymond Lester Associates were an original hand in the making of the Panorama, and Lester updated it again in 1992 changing over 60,000 structures!
Now for the pictures of the Panorama of the City of New York:
This is a view of Manhattan looking South on the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed for the 1964 World's Fair by Robert Moses and Raymod Lester. Updated by Lester in 1992
View of Midtown Manhattan in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed by Raymond Lester and Robert Moses in 1964. Now on view at the Queens Museum of Art.
Prospect Park in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Ongoing exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art constructed by Robert Moses and Raymond Lester for the 1964 World's Fair.
A view of beautiful Brooklyn in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Can be seen indefinatley at the Queens Museum of Art
Queens and Manhattan in Robert Moses' and Raymond Lester's "Panorama of the City of New York."
Brooklyn in the "Panorama of the City of New York." Constructed by Richard Haymond and Robert Moses for the 1964 World's Fair. Now showing at the Queens Museum of Art
The Queens Museum of Art will have the Panorama of the City of New York as a constant exhibit.
QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART INFO:
Museum Summer Hours
Wednesday – Sunday: noon – 6 pm
Friday: noon – 8 pm
Location
New York City Building
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens NY 11368
TEL: 718 592 9700
Admission
Admission is by suggested donation. Adults: $5
Senior and Children: $2.50
Members and Children
under five: Free
WWW.QUEENSMUSEUM.ORG
C.A.
Considering Cities 