Giant Architectural Replica Embraces Nineteen-Nineties New York City Layout
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Get a bird's-eye view of the Big Apple like never before! Step into the Queens Museum and behold the Panorama of New York City, the largest meticulously hand-crafted model of the city, standing at a mind-boggling 1:1200 scale.
This awe-inspiring spectacle transports you to a miniature world where the Empire State Building stands at approximately 15 inches tall, while the Statue of Liberty measures just under two inches without its base. Yes, dear reader, ants would be too large to represent people in these streets!
This breathtaking tableau stretches across an impressive 9,335 square feet, capturing the essence of all five boroughs - from the towering skyscrapers to the bustling streets, parks, and waterways. As the model gently rotates between day and night lighting, visitors can wander on glass walkways, feeling like they're soaring over this enchanting urban landscape.
The Panorama, a gift from Robert Moses for the 1964 World's Fair, was more than just a spectacle; it was a city planning tool, a promotional masterpiece, and an educational resource. Moses, an influential and, at times, notorious urban planner, commissioned the Panorama to determine traffic patterns and neighborhood designs, even boasting removable and redesignable parts.
Constructed with a meticulous attention to detail, the Panorama was originally built with a remarkable margin of error under 1%. Since then, it has undergone multiple updates, with the last major one happening in 1992. The last revision cost nearly $2 million ($4.5 million in today's money) and took the labor of over 100 full-time workers.
Despite being frozen in time, the historical accuracy of the model adds to its charm. From the towering World Trade Center complex, with the twin towers still represented, to iconic structures like the Lincoln Center, the model offers a snapshot of New York City history.
However, it's missing some modern landmarks like the High Line, a converted freight railroad walkway, and numerous "super-skinny" skyscrapers. But fear not! The Panorama team is working to modernize the model, updating the lighting system, and adding interactive features for visitors.
As the assistant director of archives and collections, Lynn Maliszewski, explains, "The world continues to evolve so quickly, but in New York City, infrastructurally, it's at an even faster clip." Maliszewski hopes the updates will draw more visitors, reminding us all that we're not so far apart, no matter how disconnected we may feel.
"This model brings out so much for people, as far as their history, nostalgia, and memory," Maliszewski said. "It shows that we're really not that far apart from each other, even if you never leave your neighborhood or your borough... there's still millions of people just a few miles away from you."
If you'd like a piece of this nostalgia for yourself, consider adopting a feature on the model through the museum's ongoing program. Pay a yearly "rent" or donation, and you can own a slice of New York's history!
So, grab your ticket, take a stroll on glass walkways, and marvel at the city that never sleeps from a bird's-eye view. The Panorama of New York City is a must-see for anyone with a love for the city or a fascination with urban planning. Brace yourself for a journey through the heart of the metropolis, where dreams, hopes, family, and life's journey are brought to life within the miniature streets below.
- The meticulous attention to detail in the Panorama of New York City, a city planning tool and promotional masterpiece, even includes removable and redesignable parts, similar to modelmaking techniques.
- The Panorama team is continuously working to update the model, adding modern landmarks like the High Line and incorporating interactive features interviews, making it a living tribute to the ever-evolving city.
- The Panorama of New York City, a must-see for anyone, offers a unique opportunity for neighborhood residents to adopt a feature on the model, bridging the gap between distant neighborhoods and creating a sense of shared community within the larger city landscape.
