The Citiblog

The Subway Is...Celebrating 120 Years of the New York City Subway
October 2, 2024, 5:27.35 pm ET

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Photos: New York Transit Museum

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of the New York City subway system, the New York Transit Museum is launching a new exhibit, The Subway Is... at its Downtown Brooklyn location. This landmark exhibit explores the transformative role the subway has played in shaping the city’s development, culture, and identity.


New York City’s subway system, which first opened to the public on October 27, 1904, revolutionized urban transportation. The inaugural ride, spanning just 9.1 miles from City Hall to 145th Street, offered New Yorkers a faster, more efficient way to traverse the bustling metropolis.





Over the decades, the system expanded dramatically, now boasting more than 665 miles of track and 472 stations, making it one of the largest and most complex subway networks in the world. This extensive network has not only moved millions of passengers daily but has also played a pivotal role in connecting the city’s boroughs and fostering economic growth.






The new exhibit features a vast collection of historic artifacts, photos, and multimedia installations that delve into the subway’s construction challenges, its diverse workforce of immigrants, and its role as both an engineering marvel and cultural icon. Visitors are invited to reflect on the many ways the subway has connected and inspired New Yorkers for over a century.
To commemorate this milestone, the Museum is also offering four Inaugural Run Nostalgia Rides aboard vintage 1917 Lo-V subway cars. On October 27 and November 16, participants will retrace the original 1904 subway route from Old South Ferry Station to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall Station. These special rides provide a unique window into the past, allowing riders to experience the sights and sounds of New York’s subway from over a century ago.

As part of the celebration, a city-wide social media campaign, #TheSubwayIs, will launch on October 27—inviting New Yorkers and visitors to share what the subway means to them. For more information, visit nytransitmuseum.org.


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