Day at the Museum

One Day at the American Museum of Natural History

Almost fifty years ago I worked at the American Museum of Natural History. Yes, the museum made more famous in the movie franchise, Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. I often worked well past the time the museum closed and to exit the museum I walked through the deserted halls. Initially I found it both confusing and scary. There were big bugs, dinosaurs or the giant blue whale waiting for me, depending on what route I selected. But during my two years there I came to enjoy my eerie evening walks and the extraordinary adventure of night at the museum. 

It wasn't quite the same when I was there last week, but it was a relatively quiet day during my visit last week. There were moments when I shared a museum hall and the exhibit hall at the Planetarium with just a few other visitors. It wasn't going back in time to my years of evening solitude, but it was as close as I've gotten for the last four decades and what a treat. 

This amazing display at the Planetarium didn't exist when I worked at the museum. It's part of the extensive renovations and new buildings that have been added in the last fifty years.

One other addition is the Butterfly Vivarium, a habitat for butterflies. I first visited here last summer and was happy to return for another visit last week. I learned something new with both visits and it even piqued my interest in becoming a "butterfly volunteer."  Unfortunately there are no openings for volunteers in the Vivarium, but will keep an eye on the museum website. 

One of the butterflies that intrigued me

As promised last week we have a winner of the Buttercupland Fifteenth Blogaversary. It's Myra, from Respice, Prospice, a long time blog buddy. There will be some fun socks -- picture to come in another post -- and a few little surprises. Thanks, all, for the blogaversary good wishes and for being part of the Buttercupland community.  Much appreciated!

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a good week.  

 

Next Stop, Central Park West

It's an underground aquarium at the subway stop for the American Museum of Natural History 

In April 2018 I did an A to Z series on New York City subways. I only got to "R" for Rector Street, but even if I had completed all 26 letters of the alphabet, it wouldn't have begun to cover all of the 472 subway stations in the city. I've enjoyed writing about bagels and cookies and assorted New York City goodies and that prompted me to add posts about some of the most popular sites for visitors to New York City. A spur of the moment visit by my sweet cousin Hillary and her friend, Chris, brought me to the stop for the American Museum of Natural History at 81st Street and Central Park West last week. I haven't been to this stop in quite awhile and I loved seeing the beautiful tile work. 

A different view of the station and the beautiful tile work

My view coming out of the station. This the area where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade begins. Central Park is on the right side of the photograph. 

The American Museum of Natural History

I don't get to the museum very often lately, but I worked there from 1976-1978. It was definitely one of the best work experiences imaginable. I often worked late and one of my favorite memories was leaving when the museum was closed to the public. I never noticed any of the exhibits coming alive, but it definitely had the feel of "Night at the Museum." If you're planning a visit to New York City, especially if you're bringing children, schedule a visit. I think it's time I made a return trip, too. The Blue Whale is calling me. 

It wasn't an too-busy week, but it's just zipped by. Movie, Yoga, time with friends, Weight Watchers and lots of little errands. I'm still keeping track of spending and will be doing an update of Thoughtful Spending February tomorrow. How was your week?

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

M Is for the Museum of Natural History

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History

 

 If we remember our subway history from just a few posts ago, this sign once read B and K. In 1988 the K line became the C line and it has stayed the C line for the last thirty years. We're now at the next stop going north from West 72nd Street and the Dakota. Central Park is on one side of Central Park West and on the other side of the street is the Museum of Natural History, which I highly recommend if you are visiting New York City.

 

The station has wonderful mosaics reflecting the collection and work of the museum.  This is a just one sample of work that includes casts of fossils.

 

The museum was begun in 1869. It quickly outgrew its original exhibition space in the Central Park Arsenal. President Ulysses S. Grant presided over the cornerstone ceremony for the present building in 1874. As a personal aside, I had the great good fortune to work at the museum for two years in the late 1970s. One of my favorite memories was walking out of the building in the evenings -- the staff entrance is  on a lower level in back of these stairs -- and passing the exhibits. It was a scene out of the movie, "Night at the Museum." I was spooked at first. The lights were turned down in the evenings and there were few people walking around. But as time went by I came to treasure the uniqueness of the experience.
 

The Hayden Planetarium  has a beautiful new home in the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The original planetarium opened in 1935 and for many of my friends -- and for me --  it was our first introduction to astronomy. In 2000 the Planetarium became part of the newly created Rose Center.

 

The next stop on our A to Z Blogging Challenge tour will take us to one of the busiest stations in New York City. No other clues, but we'll be joined by an estimated 200,000 other people on our visit. I hope you will join us for the subway ride. 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting. I hope we all get to see spring very quickly. I think the groundhog told us a fib and I am tired of my winter coat and gloves. Spring, please come soon!



 

Forty-Five Point One and Counting

 

Last Sunday I had a great walk to The American Museum of Natural History. This was my sight while I enjoyed an al fresco lunch. 

It's time for my weekly update on the Mile A Day in May Challenge. I'm pleased to announce that I'm doing well on my goal of walking at least 21 miles a week. The first week in May I walked 22.7 miles and last week I walked 22.4 miles for a total (so far) of 45.1 miles. I'm on track for a similar amount for this week despite the weather and I'm optimistic that I will be happily surprised by my total tomorrow night. How is everyone else in Buttercupland doing?  

 



This is another view of the museum. I made it my destination to enjoy the farmer's market that takes place there every Sunday.

 

One of my favorite parts of the farmer's market are the plants. I was especially beguiled by the geraniums and captured them in this photograph. I used my new favorite app Snapseed and turned the photograph into a postcard. 

I'm off to a very long awaited event tonight -- will share in my post tomorrow -- and I am beyond excited. Does anyone else have long awaited plans? I know there are lots of graduations going on this weekend and send happy wishes to everyone celebrating.

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend! 

Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

I've spent a fair amount of time debating my topic for "M. in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. " I've gone back and forth between mass transit -- which will appear in a later post -- and museums. Museums won for M and I started sorting photographs for the wealth of museums in New York City. But as I thought and sorted and thought a little more, the Metropolitan Museum of Art wouldn't leave my mind. It is one museum -- though it now has a branch on Madison Avenue -- but you can visit there and see the world of art.

Whether you are interested in ancient art...

or more modern art like this beauty by Louis Comfort Tiffany, there is something to enjoy at the "Met."

 

It is one of my very favorite places in New York City and I can happily wander one gallery or another at almost any time. I am a great fan of the American Wing, but I also enjoy the Asian Art galleries and English Art of the eighteenth century and the photography galleries, and of course, the special exhibits. I don't think there's a section that I don't find interesting. There are no-cost walking tours every day, led by the very well-versed docents of the museum.   

Looking out to Central Park on a snowy afternoon. 

One of my favorite places is the Temple of Dendur, which marks it's fiftieth anniversary at the museum. It dates from the Roman period and was rescued from the flooding after the Aswan Dam was built and given to the museum. 
 

The Sculpture Courtyard and café in the American Wing

 

My favorite place for a cup of coffee or lunch when I'm at the museum is the American Wing café. I think it may be the best view in the city. When I look in one direction my view is Central Park and in the other direction, the beautiful collection of sculpture in the museum's collection of American art. It's an enormous treat for the price of a cup of coffee.

 

Happily we don't have to choose just one museum to visit. There's an extraordinary array to choose from. Fans of modern art may want to visit the Whitney in a fabulous new building in the Meatpacking District. If you're traveling with children the American Museum of Natural History  is not to be missed. So many museums, so little time!

 

 As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the spring weather!

Once Again, Autumn in New York

The view from Central Park, looking east

 

Facebook graciously reminded me that I have posted pictures titled "Autumn in New York," both last year and in 2013 on November 15. I tend to think the peak of autumn is in October, but clearly recently the peak of autumn here is mid-November. Today is chilly and rainy and I am so grateful to have a relatively unplanned day. But yesterday was the most glorious autumn in New York day. After morning yoga I walked up Central Park West -- the western edge of Central Park -- and was treated to glorious foliage.

Another view of the park, this time at West 81st Street. 

 

My walk included the American Museum of Natural History, one of my favorite places in New York City. Two topiary dinosaurs grace the front of the museum for the holiday season and I got to see them being decorated. Each wears a wreath and they will be adorned -- probably completed  after I left -- with lights. I think I need a return visit later in the season. The flag in the background is the flag of New York City.

The museum faces Central Park and I happily spent time sitting in this area gazing at the park in all of its autumn beauty. Generally the steps entering the museum are packed with people, but I practically had the area all to myself. I just had to share the afternoon with my dinosaur friends and that was a complete pleasure. Can't think of better company!  

I'm about to embark on a very local -- up the block and across the street -- adventure. You know there will be pictures!

As ever, thanks for visiting. Wishes for a cozy Tuesday.

A is for...

Blogging from A to Z Challenge!

Actually A is for Abe Lincoln...

and for...

The American Museum of Natural History

The over 1700 bloggers joining the Challenge will all be blogging each day -- except for Sundays -- and will choose a theme. These photos are just hints. I will be announcing my theme tomorrow -- its a B theme -- and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. So far it's been a lot of fun for me, and I hope you will all enjoy it, too. I'm going to use only my own photos and I've been sorting through them in preparation.

The Museum of Natural History is one of my favorite places. It was built in 1875, when the Upper West Side was barely built and in my own neighborhood, about ten blocks from the Museum, sheep were grazing at the turn of the century. That last fact may be completely fiction, but I read it in a history of the neighborhood and I've always enjoyed the thought. I chose this particular photo because I worked at the Museum (1976-78) and my office was on the fifth floor, right next to this wonderful tower. It was something out of "Night at the Museum." I often worked late and left after the museum was closed. At first I was scared  leaving the museum. It was big and empty and there were weird shadows from giant bugs in the dioramas. But I got used to it and came to love having the museum all to myself. It's now one of my favorite memories. 

Any guesses about this the theme for the Challenge? One random guesser is going to get a surprise! I'm going to pick one name and there will be a little thank you for stopping by. 

Stay tuned, blog buddies. We're going to have a great April, and a big welcome to our new A to Z friends!