The New York Transit Museum, located in the former Court Street subway station, opened on July 4, 1976. Here you can embark on an engaging journey through the history of underground and surface transportation in New York City and the United States. The museum features vintage subway cars, historic buses, and other exhibits. Even better, you can sit inside the old subway cars and city buses for a deeper, immersive experience.
Collection and Exhibits
The New York Transit Museum spans an entire city block and houses a rotating collection of twenty historic subway cars dating back to 1907. In addition to the cars, the museum displays vintage buses, archival photographs, and manuals.
Visitors can sit inside the old subway cars and rare city buses, pass through vintage turnstiles, and explore the cultural, social, and technological history — and future — of public transportation in New York City and the U.S.
Permanent Exhibitions
Steel, Stone & Backbone: Building New York’s Subways
This exhibition tells the story of constructing New York’s first subway line at the turn of the 20th century. Historic artifacts, videos, and photographs bring to life the dedication and perseverance of the workers who made the project possible.
On the Streets: New York’s Trolleys and Buses
This exhibition traces the history of New York’s surface transportation from the early 1800s to the present day.
Temporary Exhibitions
Shining a Light on The Subway Sun: The Art of Fred G. Cooper and Amelia Opdyke Jones
This exhibition features over a hundred vintage New York subway posters, most of which were created between 1936 and 1965.
The Subway Is…
Since October 27, 1904, the subway has transported millions of people daily. Using images and objects from the museum’s collection, this exhibition explores ways to finish the sentence: “The Subway Is…”
Fun Facts about the Museum
- The New York Transit Museum is an independent branch of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- The station’s infrastructure has been preserved in working condition and serves not only as the museum’s premises and a depot for its unique collection of subway cars but also as a film location.
Visitor’s Information
Museum website: www.nytransitmuseum.org
📍 Address: 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Admission: $10
