For the first part of this trip, I got to visit and explore the New York Transit Museum for the first time. This museum is actually a decommissioned subway station at Court Street that is still working. One of the first things I noticed when I entered the museum, is that the interior looks almost identical to an actual subway station in New York City. The lighting, wall tiles, floors, and the underground structure of the museum all replicate how a typical subway station would look and feel like. Even on the outside, the entrance looked as if I were entering a subway station about to commute somewhere. With this setup, I felt that this was one of the most unique museum experiences I ever had. Another part that made my experience so unique was how much I related to what was in the museum. I was learning the history of a transport system I use everyday and don’t even think much about. When I step onto the the earlier versions of the subway carts used, it almost felt like I time traveled back into the past. I was in the 1963 version of the 7 Train and I got to see how different the floor was, what railings were used for passengers, the seats, and especially the advertisements. All I could think about was the comparisons between the 7 Train from 1963, to the current 7 Train that I know. This museum is definitely a place I would recommend to all New York City residents to visit. The ticket price is affordable, and seeing the exhibits can really changes your perspective on our city’s transit system. It makes you more appreciative and knowledgeable of the subways we ride everyday and take for granted.
One of the thing that I learned while exploring the different exhibits of the New York Transit Museum were that subways had their own culture. On the subways cars, there are many advertisements and MTA reminder posters. Although I see these posters all the time when I am commuting on the subway, I never thought too deeply about it until I saw it in the museum as one of the exhibits. I saw MTA reminder posters that reminded people to not take up seat space with their belongings, and another one that targeted men to not “man spread”. After seeing those posters in the museum, I came to the realization that the subways in NYC have their own culture that is being promoted by the MTA. The MTA uses advertisement campaigns to promote good behavior, ethics, and norms for subway riders. That is why people follow unwritten rules, such as letting people out the cart before stepping in. This is the outcome of the culture that the MTA has promoted onto subway riders. However, for those who don’t abide by that culture, they will get serious side-eye looks from other passengers.
Another interesting that I learned from this visit to the Museum is some fun facts that I never realized about the subways in New York City. A museum guide kindly did a small presentation for the class, and one fact I learned was that some of the subway cars displayed in this museum, were featured in popular movies. But, my favorite fact that I learned was about the difference between number trains and letter trains. The number trains in NYC (1,2,3,4,5,6,7), are part of the IRT (Inter-borough Rapid Transit) Company. These trains can be distinguished by their subway cart interior. Inside IRT trains, the seats are long, narrow, and there are only 3 doors. Meanwhile the letter trains are part of the BRT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit) Company. These trains can be distinguished by their bench seats, and there are 4 doors on these subway carts.
Even though I wasn’t able to make it with the class to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, I have been there multiple times in the past. I would say that the park is a huge success in terms of popularity. Throughout my time in high school, I remember that this park was the go-to place among a lot of my peers. People of all ages whether student or adult, would come to this park after school to hangout, on the weekends to relax, and even go there for prom pictures. There is a lot of scenery, green field, displays, and activities for people of all ages. One of my favorite things about this park that has me going back is the Pier 2 outdoor basketball courts. These basketball courts are right next to the waterfronts on the East River, where you can enjoy a great view while playing a pickup game. What I love most about the Brooklyn Bridge Park is that most of the activities there are free. This means anyone can enjoy themselves there, and it isn’t catered to a particular group of people. This park is one of the most positive aspects in NYC in my opinion because of the fact that it can bring all types of people together to enjoy themselves with minimal cost.
