Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Museum
This isn't really a museum per se,
but a community center that puts up exhibits in its hallways. There's a lot of erotic art, along with the occasional
historical perspective, like an encapsulation of a San Francisco public library archive. The real gem in this build-
ing is the mural
OnceUponaTime,
painted by Keith Haring in a second-floor bathroom. Converted to a meeting
room, this space pulsates with life thanks to a spectacular, salacious mural created by Haring shortly before his
death.
208 W. 13th St., btw. Seventh and Greenwich aves.
212/620-7310.
www.gaycenter.org
. Lobby Mon-Fri 9am-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; Sun
11am-9pm. Subway: 1/2/3 or F/M to 14th St.; L to Sixth Ave.
Madame Alexander Heritage Gallery
Immigrant daughter and lifelong New Yorker Madame Beatrice
Alexander Behrman pioneered doll-making. Her version of
GoneWiththeWind
's Scarlett was the first doll to be
based on a pop culture character. More on the story can be found in the Harlem headquarters, with its displays
of photos, advertising, and, of course, dolls. Over 600 fill the display cases. You can catch a free guided tour of
the gallery and the showroom every 90 minutes on weekdays, starting at 10am and concluding with a final tour
at 4pm. If you get nervous around a lot of kids, steer clear.
615 W. 131st St., 6th floor, btw. Broadway and Twelfth Ave.
212/283-5900,
ext. 7299.
www.madamealexander.com
. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Sub-
way: 1 to 125th St.
The Museum at FIT
This museum on the campus of the Fashion Institute of Technology is long on historic
style, specializing in the 20th century. For contemporary looks, student shows are surprisingly sophisticated.
Other rotating exhibits display items from the special collections, like accessories, sketches, or a mourning robe
(ca. 1870).
The southwest corner of Seventh Ave., at 27th St.
212/217-4558.
www.itnyc.edu
.
Tues-Fri noon-8pm; Sat 10am-5pm. Subway: 1 to 28th St.
Museum of American Illustration
Illustrators never seem to get their proper respect as visual artists, con-
stantly upstaged by those showoff painters and photographers. The two galleries maintained by the Society of
Illustrators strive to remedy that situation. Contest winners and works of Society members can be found on the
walls, along with classics from the permanent collection (the Society was formed in 1901, so there's a lot to fall
back on). Exhibits change frequently.
128 E. 63rd St., btw. Park and Lexington aves.
212/838-2560.
www.societyillustrators.org
.
Tues 10am-8pm; Wed-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat
noon-4pm. Subway: N/Q/R to Fifth Ave.; F to Lexington Ave./63rd St.
Museum of Biblical Art
With its de rigueur acronym, MOBIA makes a game effort to fit in with its museum
brethren in the heart of New Gomorrah. Exhibition subjects have ranged from oil lamps of the Holy Land to sol-
diers' Bibles.
1865 Broadway, at W. 61st St.
212/408-1500.
www.mobia.org
.
Tues-Wed and Fri-Sun 10am-6pm; Thurs 10am-8pm. Subway: A/B/C/D/1 to
59th St./Columbus Circle.
National Museum of the American Indian
Housing Native American treasures in a former arm of
the federal government seems a bit of a cruel irony, but the overall effect here is of reverence for endangered
arts. This Smithsonian branch augments its exhibits with films and videos; check the schedule at
www.nativenetworks.si.edu
.
There's programming for kids, too, including storybook readings and workshops.
Everything is free, though craft workshops can have material fees. Some events require reservations. See also
p. 314.
1 Bowling Green, btw. State and Whitehall sts.
212/514-3700.
www.americanindian.si.edu
.
Daily 10am-5pm; Thurs until 8pm. Subway: 4/5 to
Bowling Green; 1 to South Ferry.
Nicholas Roerich Museum
One of New York's least-known museums showcases the Russian scholar
and painter Nicholas Roerich. A genteel Riverside Drive town house holds three floors of galleries, cluttered
with Roerich's paintings. The images favor Russian icons and Himalayan landscapes, executed with bright colors
and stylized lines. Objects gathered in Roerich's Asian explorations are scattered throughout the museum, and a
