Most NYC museums — including the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center — have re-opened, although some with limited hours. Here’s an update on NYC museums in Lower Manhattan one week after Hurricane Sandy. Show your support for Lower Manhattan museums which have re-opened by visiting them this weekend, and find a local family-owned restaurant nearby to support by having a meal before or after —
9/11 Memorial — Both the 9/11 Memorial and The Preview Site at 20 Vesey St. are open with modified hours of 10 am – 4 pm daily, but the Visitor Center remains closed. Previously reserved passes for dates and times affected by closures will be honored during temporary operations. New passes will be unavailable online or at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site until further notice, but visitors will be accommodated on a first-come, first served basis at the Memorial entry.
Skyscraper Museum — The Skyscraper Museum stayed dry through the storm but lost power and phones, and remains closed until further notice.
Wall Street Walks — Wall Street walking tours resume next week. They take place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11am and 1pm, starting at 55 Wall Street.
Anne Frank Center — Back to regular operating hours (Tues-Sat 10-5). Currently, they are rescheduling programs cancelled due to storm. In the spirit of Anne Frank, the center is offering local Sandy Recovery and community organizations by providing workspace, wifi, etc.
Fraunces Tavern — The Museum in this Colonial-era building suffered significant damage to breakers in the basement and remains closed. The current plan is that power will be restored by Saturday, Fraunces Tavern Museum hopes to reopen by Monday, November 12th.
Museum of Jewish Heritage — There was flooding in the basement and by the classrooms, but, incredibly, no major damage. The museum re-opened on Sunday, November 4 and is now back to its regular schedule, although the phones are still out. In the spirit of community and survival, the Museum of Jewish Heritage also is making its offices available to colleagues effected by Hurricane Sandy, and the public is welcome to come to the café) and use the Museum’s FREE WiFi (no fee to go to the café). As always, the Museum offers free admission on Wednesdays from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M.
National Museum of the American Indian — This NYC branch of the Smithsonial Institutions lost electricity, steam, and phones, but the collections are fine. NMAI remains closed until further notice. give word when they reopen.
Museum of American Finance — Still closed but they are awaiting word when the building will reopen. They are still deciding on the opening of a new exhibit which was scheduled to open today, November 7th.
South Street Seaport Museum — The Museum remains closed until power in restored to the Seaport District. The Museum’s escalator and elevator were damaged by Hurricane Sandy flooding, and will take weeks to repair after the museum is deemed safe for occupancy and can re-open.
New York City Police Museum — The New York City Police Museum sustained substantial damage to its infrastructure. Fortunately the Museum’s collection remains intact. The museum remains closed until further notice, and all events and educational programs are cancelled during the rebuilding process. Please check the Museum website at www.nycpm.org for updates.
Rubin Museum — Get good Karma at this museum in Chelsea, featuring Asian art and textiles from nations including Tibet, Bhutan, India. The Rubin is back to a normal schedule.
Coney Island Aquarium — No, it’s not in Lower Manhattan. It’s in Coney Island, which we all know is in Brooklyn. The popular aquarium suffered major damage in the storm, and may have to be rebuilt entirely. The animals are safe, but buildings and enclosures were damaged.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.