New York Museum of Science and Industry
The New York Museum of Science and Industry was a museum in Manhattan, New York City. After being housed in temporary quarters, the museum officially opened in its permanent home at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, on February 11, 1936. Financial problems caused it to close permanently in the late 1940s.
History
Originally conceived as the Museum of the Peaceful Arts, films were made of Europe's leading industrial museums to promote its development.The New York Museum of Science and Industry was established through a $2,500,000 bequest from Henry R. Towne, for the, "creation of a technical museum". The newly created museum was initially on display on 40th St. with a Dr. F.C. Brown as its director. Subsequently, under the direction of Prof. Charles R. Richards, "the museum found it necessary to expand".
Relocating from temporary housing in the Daily News Building, the New York Museum of Science and Industry opened in its permanent location on February 11, 1936, in the Forum of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Prominent attendees at the gala opening event included Dr. Frank B. Jewett, president of the board of trustees, Dr. Harold C. Urey and Dr. Albert Einstein.
According to The New York Times, "visitors remarked that there was probably no other major public museum in the city at which no implement of war was on view". Exhibits covered topics/inventions including: the telephone and telegraph, weaving and spinning, electricity, marine transportation, light, and magnetism. The largest exhibit was called "the Rocket, a replica of the high-funneled, wooden wheeled locomotive built by Robert Stephenson & Co. at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1829". Admission cost 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children, "except pupils on regular instruction tours".
The museum closed sometime in the late 1940s, due to financial problems.