May 05, 2005

Seaport Museum: antique graffiti to seagull poop

The South Street Seaport Museum may be one of the most poorly publicized sights in Manhattan, which is quite a shame considering it's recently undergone a renovation and is home to plenty of quirky and slightly dark remnants of early New York.

There is a print of the Titanic's maiden voyage, signed by the artist -- and six survivors. A business postcard touts the sale of seagull poo. Another charming full-color card for the insurance industry hoped to encourage business with a wacky series of illustrations of the hazards of modern life: a man getting run over by a trolley car, two children falling through the ice on a lake, robbers busting into a bedroom and frightening mom and pop in their undies, a man slipping on a banana peel.

Another neat little item is an English-made umbrella that doubles as a telescope if the dandy unscrewed the tip and handle. Upstairs, there are exquisite antique toys - including models of Coney Island in its heyday. But not far away, you'll find elaborate sculptures cut from bone by prisoners of war.

Located in the old houses of Schermerhorn Row between Water and South streets, the buildings' thick plank ceilings are exposed, in some places revealing fire damage. One recently re-exposed wall shows antique graffiti, faded, but the goofy caricatures are clearly there. Mostly Irish in flavor, it bears sayings such as "Erin Go Bragh"

The Seaport has resumed summer hours and is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for students and seniors; $4 for children 5 to 12; children under 5 are free.

Earlier: Archaeological artifacts at NY Unearthed may leave city
New York Unearthed by appointment only

May 5, 2005 11:12 AM in Downtown, History, Museums, Sightsology

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